3 Ways Nonprofits Can Leverage DAFs for Greater Impact

Karen S. Cochran • April 15, 2025

DAFs are transforming philanthropy, and organizations that embrace them will be better positioned for sustainable funding.

The world of philanthropy is changing fast, and donor-advised funds (DAFs) are leading the charge. With assets in DAFs skyrocketing 560% over the past decade—reaching $251 billion—nonprofits can no longer afford to overlook this powerful giving vehicle.


As a Forbes Nonprofit Council member, I recently wrote about this trend in my latest Forbes article and shared three ways nonprofits can harness the potential of DAFs to grow their funding and deepen donor relationships.

3 Key Strategies to Harness DAF Giving in 2025

#1: Build Relationships with DAF Advisors


Many DAF donors give anonymously, but that doesn’t mean they’re disengaged. Connecting with financial advisors who manage DAFs can increase your chances of repeat gifts and larger contributions.


#2: Participate in DAF Day


The first-ever DAF Day in 2024 mobilized donors to give from their funds. Mark your calendar for October 9, 2025, and use this event as a strategic opportunity to engage and steward DAF donors.


#3. Encourage Recurring and Planned DAF Gifts


Many DAF platforms allow for recurring grants, and some DAFs become "orphaned" when donors pass away. Encouraging donors to include your nonprofit in their giving plans can provide long-term stability.


DAFs are transforming philanthropy, and organizations that embrace them will be better positioned for sustainable funding. If your nonprofit needs a strategy to tap into DAFs effectively, let’s connect.


Read the full Forbes article for a deeper dive into these strategies: 3 Ways to Hop on the DAF ‘Bullet Train’ in 2025.

Share this Story:

The 5 Conversations Nonprofit Leaders Should Have Every Quarter
August 3, 2026
What does regular communication with your team actually look like? Many nonprofit leaders check in consistently, but those conversations often focus on numbers, campaigns, and events. That information matters, but it rarely helps teams work better together or move results forward. The harder, more valuable conversations get bumped to another day that never quite arrives. That is a missed opportunity that nonprofits cannot afford. Research from the Council of Nonprofits has documented widespread staffing shortages, and Mission Edge reports that workforce sustainability has shifted from a looming concern to an active crisis for many organizations. The strongest teams don’t leave these conversations to chance. Their leaders are intentional about creating regular space to address the topics that build stronger teams, reduce burnout, and move philanthropy forward. This can happen in a structured team meeting, a one-on-one check-in, or an informal conversation over coffee. This article outlines five conversations that leaders should have each quarter, at a minimum. They are not a rigid framework, but topics that should show up regularly in how you lead your team, in whatever format fits your organization.
February 27, 2026
Best practices for onboarding and integrating a Fractional Chief Development Officer to your organization.