Your DAF Sponsor Is Part of Your Giving Strategy

Choosing a values-aligned or social impact focused donor-advised fund

There are more than 1,500 Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) sponsors in the U.S., with very different approaches, capabilities, and services.

Tax planning, appreciated assets, a liquidity event, or the desire to streamline giving may be what prompts someone to establish a DAF. But those are not usually the reasons they give. Values, family, community, lived experience, and the impact they want to have are what shape the philanthropy itself.

That is why the DAF sponsor itself can matter. If a donor wants their philanthropic capital to reflect their values and how they want to give, the choice is not only about fees, convenience, or where the assets are already held. It may also be about how the assets are invested, what other tools are available to create impact, and whether the sponsor’s approach aligns with how the donor wants to give.