Maximizing Donor-Advised Funds: How to Unlock Year-End Giving Potential

Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) are one of the fastest-growing forces in philanthropy. According to the National Philanthropic Trust, DAF assets reached $229B in 2024, representing an increasingly important share of charitable giving. Yet many nonprofits are still leaving money on the table by not making DAFs a core part of their year-end fundraising strategy.

‍

At GivenGain, our mission of One World. Zero Barriers means making generosity frictionless. With our upcoming integration with The Giving Block and Chariot, DAFs will soon be as simple to give as a credit card or crypto donation, eliminating the barriers that kept billions locked away.

This guide shows you how to maximize DAF donations during year-end giving.

‍

Why DAFs Surge in Q4

• Tax Planning: Donors want to optimize deductions before December 31.
  
• Giving Behavior: December is the most generous month of the year and DAF donors follow that pattern.
  
• High-Value Gifts: Average DAF grants are larger than direct online donations.
  
  

How to Unlock DAF Potential

1. Educate Donors
   Many supporters don’t realize they can recommend a DAF gift. Add messaging like: “Did you know you can give to us directly from your Donor-Advised Fund?”
   
2. Update Campaign Pages
   Highlight “DAFs Accepted” on your year-end fundraising hub.
   
3. Empower Champions
   Provide scripts for fundraisers: “If you hold a DAF, you can recommend a gift directly to support my campaign.”
   
4. Promote Urgency
   Remind donors: “Make your DAF recommendation by Dec 31 for this year’s tax year.”
   
5. Recognize & Steward DAF Donors
   Stewardship is crucial — thank them promptly, share impact stories, and invite them to become recurring supporters.
   
   

Case Example

‍

Nonprofits that clearly list DAFs as an option in year-end appeals see significantly larger average gifts. With GivenGain’s upcoming integration, charities will soon unlock this channel at scale, fully online.
‍

‍

Checklist: DAF Strategy for December

• ✅ Mention DAFs in all year-end emails.
  
• ✅ Add “DAFs Accepted” to donation forms.
  
• ✅ Provide Champions with donor scripts.
  
• ✅ Remind donors about tax deadlines.
  
  

💡 Ready to unlock high-value DAF donations? Sign up your charity on GivenGain and be part of the next wave of digital philanthropy.

‍