How Nonprofits Can Boost Donor-Advised Fund Gifts This Fall

Donor-Advised Funds, or DAFs, have become a powerhouse in modern philanthropy. More than just a buzzword, they are rapidly becoming the go-to vehicle for flexible, tax-efficient, and impactful giving in the U.S., especially for donors with complex assets and long-term charitable plans.

According to the Independent Report on DAFs (April 2025), total DAF assets reached $254 billion in 2023, a 67 percent increase since 2020. Incoming contributions grew to $64 billion in 2023, and overall grantmaking expanded by 62 percent over the same period.

If your nonprofit wants to tap into this growing source of donations, you will need more than a generic “we accept DAFs” message buried quietly on your website. You need a strategy that makes DAF giving easy, appealing, and personally rewarding for donors.

Below, we will explore four core steps, along with deeper tactics, to prepare your organization to effectively receive and grow DAF contributions.

1. Prepare to Receive DAF Donations

Before any outreach begins, ensure your nonprofit is fully ready to seamlessly accept DAF contributions. A smooth, transparent process is essential for donors who are ready to give and for advisors who want to recommend your organization with confidence.

Make Giving Frictionless- Add a DAF widget to your website. Many DAF donors manage their giving via platforms like DAF Direct or their fund sponsor’s portal. Embedding a widget enables them to recommend a grant in just a few clicks, reducing drop-off from time-constrained, motivated donors.

Provide the Essential Details - Ensure your legal name, Employer Identification Number (EIN), and mailing address are easily accessible on your site and on the pages where they are displayed. These details are often required by DAF administrators.

Consider creating a “Ways to Give” page with a DAF section that includes:

• Your organization’s legal details

• Step-by-step instructions for donors

• Contact information for questions

  
  

If you’d like to see a gold-standard giving page, the University of Michigan offers an excellent example. It highlights many ways to give and serves as a strong reference.

Signal That You Welcome DAF Gifts- Some donors do not assume nonprofits accept DAFs. Add a clear message like “We gratefully accept gifts from Donor-Advised Funds” on your donation page or email footer to remove uncertainty and encourage action.

Pro Tip: Add a “how your DAF helps” blurb, linking DAF gifts directly to impactful outcomes.

2. Incorporate DAF Messaging into Your Communications

Even financially savvy donors may overlook DAFs if they are not front of mind. Your communications can bring them into the spotlight.

Normalize DAFs in Campaigns- Whenever you list giving options, include DAFs alongside credit cards, checks, and stock contributions. The mention alone can spark: “Oh, I could give that way.”

Use messaging like:

“Consider recommending a grant from your Donor-Advised Fund to support our work.” “Your DAF can help us meet our year-end goal and make a lasting impact.”

Share Impact Stories- Stories are powerful. If you have received DAF gifts before, ask donors (if they are comfortable) to share their experience. This builds peer-driven social proof.

Use Strategic Calls to Action- Include phrases like “Support our mission through your Donor-Advised Fund” in email signatures, appeal letters, and campaign CTAs.

Pro Tip: DAF donors often plan giving ahead. Plant the seed early—months before a major campaign—so your organization is part of their consideration when they grant.

3. Leverage DAF Giving Day (October 9)

Mark your calendar for National DAF Giving Day on October 9. It may not rival Giving Tuesday yet, but it is gaining traction as a day to celebrate and mobilize DAF philanthropy.

Educate Your Audience Many donors already hold DAFs but may not realize how simple it is to recommend a grant. Use blog posts, social media, and newsletters leading up to October 9 to explain:

• How DAFs work

• Why they are tax-efficient

• How they fund urgent needs effectively

Launch a Themed Campaign Ideas include:

• A matching challenge for DAF gifts on the day

• A story series showcasing DAF-funded projects

• Livestream updates from leadership sharing real-time impact

Connect Gifts to Outcomes Spell it out:

• “A DAF gift of $5,000 sponsors two scholarships for emerging leaders.”

• “A $10,000 grant funds six months of mental health programming.”

4. Tap Into the Half My DAF Movement

Another way to inspire donor action is to connect with initiatives that motivate DAF holders to give sooner rather than later. Half My DAF is a national campaign encouraging DAF donors to grant at least half of their DAF funds each year instead of letting them sit unused.

For nonprofits, this presents a unique outreach opportunity. By highlighting Half My DAF in your communications, especially during your peak fundraising seasons, you can appeal to donors who are already committed to moving their money into active impact.

Ideas to leverage this:

• Add a “Join the Half My DAF Movement” callout on your giving page.

• Share a short explainer in your newsletter or social posts linking to the initiative.

• Pair it with a matching challenge or a specific project need to create urgency.

  
  

Pro Tip: Position your organization as the ideal recipient for donors looking to make their Half My DAF pledge meaningful by showing exactly how their gift will be used right away.

5. Build Relationships with Financial Advisors

Many DAF grants involve a financial advisor, offering access to high-capacity donors.

Identify Potential Partners- Look for advisors connected to your cause via chambers of commerce, professional associations, or LinkedIn.

Understand Their Role- Some advisors have firm restrictions on charitable recommendations. Others can be strong advocates. Ask about their philanthropic approach and whether they introduce clients to nonprofits.

Nurture Advisor Advocates  Invite advisors to:

• Attend mission-focused events

• Join advisory councils

• Serve on committees or boards

Pro Tip: Advisors personally invested in your mission often become long-term supporters who share your cause with clients.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Burying DAF info on your site—donors will not hunt for it.

• Using jargon—keep language clear and accessible.

• Treating DAF donors like transactions—cultivate them like major donors.

  
  

Ignoring timing—many DAF grants are planned in Q4, so plan ahead.

In Summary

DAFs are more than a growing trend, they represent a powerful driver of modern philanthropy. As of 2025, with $254 billion in assets and rising contributions and grantmaking, this channel deserves your attention.

This year, position your organization to benefit by:

• Preparing to receive DAF gifts seamlessly

• Incorporating DAF messaging into your outreach

• Activating your network for DAF Giving Day

• Building enduring relationships with advisors who influence donors

  
  

Start today, because your future donors (and their advisors) are already planning their year-end giving.

If you are ready to kickstart your DAF program, let us help you design a strategy tailored to your mission that sets you up for lasting success.