Donor-Advised Funds: Flexibility, Impact, and the Future with Ted Hart
Release Date: 01/20/2026
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info_outlineDonor-advised funds are revolutionizing philanthropic giving, and in this episode of The Nonprofit Counsel Podcast, host May Harris sits down with author Ted Hart to explore why. Ted's latest book, The DAF Revolution, unpacks how donor-advised funds have become the fastest-growing form of philanthropy ever, with over $250 billion in assets. They discuss the advantages DAFs offer over private foundations, including simplified charitable tax deductions and flexible grant making. Ted shares how to set up a donor-advised fund for tax benefits, addresses common criticisms, and reveals powerful nonprofit fundraising strategies to help organizations access DAF dollars, essential listening for donors, advisors, and nonprofit leaders.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why donor-advised funds outpace private foundations in charitable giving, granting 15-25% of assets annually versus the 5% foundation minimum, and how this benefits donors and nonprofits.
How to leverage appreciated assets through DAFs to maximize charitable tax deductions while avoiding capital gains, plus the three types available—national firms, community foundations, and mission-based organizations.
Actionable nonprofit fundraising strategies to access more donor-advised fund grants, including major gift fundraising approaches.
Best practices for multi-generational giving and legacy philanthropy through DAFs, including involving future generations while maintaining advisor rights.
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TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Introduction to Ted Hart and The DAF Revolution book, exploring donor-advised funds as the fastest-growing philanthropic giving vehicle
06:42 Why donor-advised funds outperform private foundations: DAFs grant 15-25% annually versus 5% foundation minimum with charitable tax deductions
08:37 Three types of DAFs: national firms like Fidelity Charitable, community foundations, and mission-based organizations for grant making
14:17 Setting up a donor-advised fund: investment options and multi-generational giving strategies for legacy philanthropy and the downsides of a DAF
22:13 Ten nonprofit fundraising strategies for accessing DAF funding through significant gift relationships
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Donor-advised funds reached $250 billion in assets, hitting their first $100 billion in just 30 years versus over a century for private foundations, making them the fastest-growing philanthropic giving vehicle.
DAFs grant 15-25% of assets annually without payout requirements, while private foundations give only 5%, proving donors are more generous without government mandates and can focus on charitable giving based on values.
Every nonprofit needs a DAF strategy: ten fundraising strategies include significant gift relationships and leveraging community foundations to access this growing funding source.
ABOUT THE GUEST:
Ted Hart is a global thought leader in philanthropy and the author of The DAF Revolution: Making a Difference in Our Modern World. With over three decades of nonprofit leadership, he served as CEO of CAF America and CAF Canada, overseeing $4.6 billion in charitable grants to organizations in over 135 countries.
Through TEDHART.COM LLC, Ted advises foundations, corporations, and nonprofits on donor-advised funds, cross-border philanthropy, and ethical fundraising. He hosts The Nonprofit Coach and Everything DAF! podcast, the longest-running program in the nonprofit sector.
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
For Profit Law Group - Website