Clients pushing philanthropy into focus
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Donor-advised funds are moving philanthropy to the center of wealth management, and advisors are leaning in
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PHILANTHROPHY has been shifting from impulse to architecture. What was once a spontaneous gesture, such as a donation written in the aftermath of a crisis or at year-end, is becoming a deliberate long-term strategy. It’s increasingly seen as a core part of how individuals and families shape their legacy, with advisors helping them design giving plans that align tax, investment, and impact goals for lasting effect.
That shift is happening against a backdrop of rising generosity: according to Giving USA, Americans donated an estimated $592.5 billion to charitable causes in 2024, a
6.3 percent increase over the prior year and one of the highest totals on record. Giving by individuals accounted for $392 billion, or 66 percent of this total.
This evolution is reshaping the tools and conversations that underpin charitable planning. Donor-advised funds (DAFs) are at the center of that change. These accounts allow individuals to contribute assets, invest them for potential growth, and then recommend grants to charitable organizations at a pace and scale that aligns with their goals. Through DAFgiving360™, one of the largest national sponsors of DAFs and an independent 501(c)(3) public charity, donors have granted more than $44 billion to more than 280,000 organizations since 1999.
The pace of that giving is accelerating. In fiscal year 2025, DAFgiving360 donors granted more than $8.9 billion to charity, a 34 percent increase from the previous year. More than 1.4 million individual grants reached over 155,000 organizations, averaging $24 million in support each day. On Giving Tuesday alone, grants topped $69 million.
DAFgiving360™ is an independent 501(c)(3) with a mission to increase charitable giving in the US by providing a tax-smart and simple giving solution to donors and financial advisors. Since inception, our donors have granted over $44 billion to charity. A DAFgiving360 donor-advised fund account enables donors to contribute cash or appreciated assets to a charitable account to help realize the greatest possible tax benefits − and then support their favorite charities over time. With DAFgiving360, donors are empowered to incorporate charitable planning into their everyday lives, giving them the potential to make a bigger difference in the world.
Find out more
“The reality is that charitable planning can be most impactful when it’s integrated into financial planning. Today’s philanthropists … are rethinking what their giving can accomplish and expecting their advisors to do the same”
Fred Kaynor, DAFgiving360
For Fred Kaynor, managing director at DAFgiving360, these numbers are part of a broader story. “We’re seeing donors embrace a longer view,” he says. “They are thinking strategically about how their philanthropy unfolds, and they are using tools like DAFs to align their giving with their values and long-term financial plans.”
For many advisors, philanthropy is opening doors to conversations that traditional wealth planning rarely reaches. Talking about charitable goals often leads to discussions about what clients want their money to stand for, how they hope to shape the next generation’s relationship with wealth, and what kind of legacy they intend to leave behind. These are not peripheral questions. They sit at the heart of why clients invest in the first place.
“Advisors are a critical part of the process,” says Kaynor. “Our mission is to increase charitable giving in the US, and advisors are key partners in achieving that.”
At DAFgiving360, more than 4,700 advisors now support clients in structuring charitable strategies, and nearly 70 percent of DAF accounts are associated with an advisor relationship. This involvement is reshaping how and when donors give.
Advisors are guiding clients through the complexities of contributing non-cash assets such as appreciated stock, real estate, or private business interests, which accounted for about 63 percent of contributions to DAFgiving360 in fiscal year 2025.
Yet despite this shift of more individuals making charitable giving a priority, many advisors still hesitate to bring up philanthropy. Some feel underqualified to guide the conversation. Others worry about losing assets if money leaves a portfolio. Many assume clients are not interested. “The reality is that charitable planning can be most impactful when it’s integrated into financial planning,” Kaynor notes. “Today’s philanthropists, particularly those with significant wealth, are rethinking what their giving can accomplish and expecting their advisors to do the same.”
At its core, the value of a donor-advised fund lies in the structure it provides. A direct gift to a charity is immediate and simple, but it offers little flexibility. Once the money is out the door, the decision is final. A DAF, by contrast, allows donors to contribute when it is most advantageous − for example, in a high-income year − and recommend grants to charities later as needs or priorities emerge. Assets in the fund can be invested, potentially increasing the amount available for future grants.
That structure is particularly powerful when timing matters. Because capital is already set aside for charitable giving, donors can respond quickly to urgent needs, from natural disasters to humanitarian crises, without scrambling to establish new giving vehicles. In the past fiscal year, DAFgiving360 donors distributed $148 million for disaster relief, and a growing share of grants were left undesignated, allowing nonprofits to direct funds where they were needed most.
“DAFs give donors flexibility and responsiveness,” says Kaynor. “They can act immediately when a crisis occurs, but they also have the framework to support causes consistently throughout the year and over time.”
For advisors, there’s an opportunity in strengthening multigenerational relationships, as charitable goals often span across the lives of children and grandchildren.
Advisors can start by helping clients identify which assets might be most effective for charitable giving. Appreciated securities, for example, can be contributed to a DAF without triggering capital gains taxes, while still providing a fair market value tax deduction. Advisors can also help clients model grant schedules to match their philanthropic goals, whether that means sustaining a nonprofit over decades or concentrating support during specific campaigns.
Another opportunity lies in reframing how clients think about philanthropy itself. Rather than viewing giving as a separate, stand-alone activity, advisors can integrate it into discussions about risk, liquidity, and portfolio design.
“Many of the conversations we have with donors mirror the ones they have with their advisors about their investments,” Kaynor says. “It’s about timing, diversification, and impact. Philanthropy is no different.”
For advisors who want to bring these conversations into their practice, DAFgiving360 can be a partner in that process. The organization offers specialized knowledge on all forms of charitable contributions and a library of resources to help advisors and clients weigh different types of accounts and contribution, investment, grant, and succession strategies. From initial planning through ongoing communication, their goal is to provide clear, unbiased guidance that helps clients make informed decisions and turn philanthropic intent into meaningful action.
As Kaynor sees it, the potential of donor-advised funds is still only beginning to be understood, and advisors are a critical part of the education. “People are realizing how much of an impact DAFs can truly make,” he says. “DAFs offer features and benefits that can help a donor not only increase the amount of their gifts to charity but also increase the frequency and regularity of their gifts.”
“In other words, charities gain resources and operational simplicity, while donors can maximize their giving through tax strategy, investment growth, or contributing complex assets that might otherwise never reach a nonprofit. It’s a win-win scenario and it’s where advisors can make a real difference.”
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The expanding role of advisors
Strategy, structure, and opportunity
Published November 3, 2025
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DAFgiving360 and disaster response
DAF accounts let donors mobilize charitable funds quickly and repeatedly after disasters, delivering relief support in real time as well as recovery support over the long term through recurring grants
As wealth changes hands over the next decade and drives younger, more values-driven investors into advisory relationships, expectations are likely to grow. Research from CAF America shows that Gen Y and Gen Z investors are more likely to seek advisor guidance that goes beyond traditional investment management. Among high-net-worth individuals aged 18 to 24, 57 percent say they want philanthropic guidance from their advisors.
Meeting that expectation requires a depth of options. Advisors can help clients compare different giving vehicles and determine which approach best supports both their philanthropic and financial goals. They can also bring niche expertise to complex asset contributions, from real estate and privately held business interests to fine art, equities, and collectibles. At DAFgiving360, the organization is uniquely equipped to accept and liquidate these types of non-cash assets. This is a step that often removes a burden from charities. Contributing complex assets instead of selling them can further increase impact by avoiding capital gains taxes, which can boost the amount available for donation by as much as 20 percent. A client then also claims a charitable tax deduction for the fair market value of the assets.
Advisors also play a pivotal role in identifying other tax-smart giving strategies. One example is “bunching,” where several years of charitable contributions are combined into a single tax year, allowing clients to exceed the standard deduction amount and itemize deductions in that year while taking the standard deduction in subsequent years. This strategy maximizes both itemized and standard deductions and can result in a larger tax benefit over multiple years. And if the client makes this larger, one-time contribution to a DAF, they can still provide consistent support to the causes they care about through multiple grant recommendations in the future.
Disclosures:
DAFgiving360™ is the name used for the combined programs and services of Donor Advised Charitable Giving, Inc., an independent nonprofit organization which has entered into service agreements with certain subsidiaries of The Charles Schwab Corporation. DAFgiving360 is a tax-exempt public charity as described in Sections 501(c)(3), 509(a)(1), and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Contributions made to DAFgiving360 are considered an irrevocable gift and are not refundable. Once contributed, DAFgiving360 has exclusive legal control over the contributed assets.
Contributions of certain real estate, private equity, or other illiquid assets may be accepted via a charitable intermediary, with proceeds transferred to a donor-advised fund (DAF) account upon liquidation. Call DAFgiving360 for more information at 800-746-6216.
A donor’s ability to claim itemized deductions is subject to a variety of limitations depending on the donor's specific tax situation.
Market fluctuations may cause the value of investment fund shares held in a donor-advised fund (DAF) account to be worth more or less than the value of the original contribution to the funds.
DAFgiving360 does not provide legal or tax advice. Please consult a qualified legal or tax advisor where such advice is necessary or appropriate.
The Schwab Center for Financial Research is a division of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (1125-XENG)
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© 2025 KM Business Information US Ltd
Use of editorial content without permission is strictly prohibited | All rights reserved
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About
In fiscal year 2025, DAFgiving360 donors distributed $148 million to disaster relief through grant recommendations
Over 70% of all grant recommendations in the last fiscal year did not specify a purpose for the grant, giving nonprofits speed and autonomy in emergencies
Donors open an account with contributions of cash, securities, or other assets. Contributions are irrevocable and tax-deductible for those who itemize. When appreciated non-cash assets held for a year or more are contributed to a donor-advised fund account, they are typically not subject to capital gains taxes when they are sold by the DAF.
To maximize the tax-free growth potential of the charitable assets, DAFgiving360 offers a choice of 15 investment pools from leading fund companies, carefully screened by the Schwab Center for Financial Research. For accounts over $100,000, donors may have customized investment management through an appointed independent investment advisor.
Donors can recommend grants at any time to any qualified US public charity – with any level of privacy or recognition. DAFgiving360 issues the grants and consolidates records.
How does it work for my clients?
CONTRIBUTE
INVEST
GRANT
Beyond deductions: how advisors maximize giving
“DAFs offer features and benefits that can help a donor not only increase the amount of their gifts to charity but also increase the frequency and regularity of their gifts”
Fred Kaynor, DAFgiving360
Find out more
DAFgiving360™ is an independent 501(c)(3) with a mission to increase charitable giving in the US by providing a tax-smart and simple giving solution to donors and financial advisors. Since inception, our donors have granted over $44 billion to charity. A DAFgiving360 donor-advised fund account enables donors to contribute cash or appreciated assets to a charitable account to help realize the greatest possible tax benefits − and then support their favorite charities over time. With DAFgiving360, donors are empowered to incorporate charitable planning into their everyday lives, giving them the potential to make a bigger difference in the world.
For advisors who want to bring these conversations into their practice, DAFgiving360 can be a partner in that process. The organization offers specialized knowledge on all forms of charitable contributions and a library of resources to help advisors and clients weigh different types of accounts and contribution, investment, grant, and succession strategies. From initial planning through ongoing communication, their goal is to provide clear, unbiased guidance that helps clients make informed decisions and turn philanthropic intent into meaningful action.
As Kaynor sees it, the potential of donor-advised funds is still only beginning to be understood, and advisors are a critical part of the education. “People are realizing how much of an impact DAFs can truly make,” he says. “DAFs offer features and benefits that can help a donor not only increase the amount of their gifts to charity but also increase the frequency and regularity of their gifts.”
“In other words, charities gain resources and operational simplicity, while donors can maximize their giving through tax strategy, investment growth, or contributing complex assets that might otherwise never reach a nonprofit. It’s a win-win scenario and it’s where advisors can make a real difference.”
At its core, the value of a donor-advised fund lies in the structure it provides. A direct gift to a charity is immediate and simple, but it offers little flexibility. Once the money is out the door, the decision is final. A DAF, by contrast, allows donors to contribute when it is most advantageous − for example, in a high-income year − and recommend grants to charities later as needs or priorities emerge. Assets in the fund can be invested, potentially increasing the amount available for future grants.
That structure is particularly powerful when timing matters. Because capital is already set aside for charitable giving, donors can respond quickly to urgent needs, from natural disasters to humanitarian crises, without scrambling to establish new giving vehicles. In the past fiscal year, DAFgiving360 donors distributed
$148 million for disaster relief, and a growing share of grants were left undesignated, allowing nonprofits to direct funds where they were needed most.
“DAFs give donors flexibility and responsiveness,” says Kaynor. “They can act immediately when a crisis occurs, but they also have the framework to support causes consistently throughout the year and
over time.”
For advisors, there’s an opportunity in strengthening multigenerational relationships, as charitable goals often span across the lives of children and grandchildren.
Advisors can start by helping clients identify which assets might be most effective for charitable giving. Appreciated securities, for example, can be contributed to a DAF without triggering capital gains taxes, while still providing a fair market value tax deduction. Advisors can also help clients model grant schedules to match their philanthropic goals, whether that means sustaining a nonprofit over decades or concentrating support during specific campaigns.
Another opportunity lies in reframing how clients think about philanthropy itself. Rather than viewing giving as a separate,
stand-alone activity, advisors can integrate it into discussions about risk, liquidity, and portfolio design.
“Many of the conversations we have with donors mirror the ones they have with their advisors about their investments,” Kaynor says. “It’s about timing, diversification, and impact. Philanthropy is no different.”
“The reality is that charitable planning can be most impactful when it’s integrated into financial planning. Today’s philanthropists … are rethinking what their giving can accomplish and expecting their advisors to do the same”
Fred Kaynor,
DAFgiving360
For many advisors, philanthropy is opening doors to conversations that traditional wealth planning rarely reaches. Talking about charitable goals often leads to discussions about what clients want their money to stand for, how they hope to shape the next generation’s relationship with wealth, and what kind of legacy they intend to leave behind. These are not peripheral questions. They sit at the heart of why clients invest in the first place.
“Advisors are a critical part of the process,” says Kaynor. “Our mission is to increase charitable giving in the US, and advisors are key partners in achieving that.”
The expanding role of advisors
For Fred Kaynor, managing director at DAFgiving360, these numbers are part of a broader story. “We’re seeing donors embrace a longer view,” he says. “They are thinking strategically about how their philanthropy unfolds, and they are using tools like DAFs to align their giving with their values and long-term financial plans.”
PHILANTHROPHY has been shifting from impulse to architecture. What was once a spontaneous gesture, such as a donation written in the aftermath of a crisis or at year-end, is becoming a deliberate long-term strategy. It’s increasingly seen as a core part of how individuals and families shape their legacy, with advisors helping them design giving plans that align tax, investment, and impact goals for lasting effect.
That shift is happening against a backdrop of rising generosity: according to Giving USA, Americans donated an estimated $592.5 billion to charitable causes in 2024, a
6.3 percent increase over the prior year and one of the highest totals on record. Giving by individuals accounted for $392 billion, or 66 percent of this total.
This evolution is reshaping the tools and conversations that underpin charitable planning. Donor-advised funds (DAFs) are at the center of that change. These accounts allow individuals to contribute assets, invest them for potential growth, and then recommend grants to charitable organizations at a pace and scale that aligns with their goals. Through DAFgiving360™, one of the largest national sponsors of DAFs and an independent 501(c)(3) public charity, donors have granted more than $44 billion to more than 280,000 organizations since 1999.
The pace of that giving is accelerating. In fiscal year 2025, DAFgiving360 donors granted more than $8.9 billion to charity, a 34 percent increase from the previous year. More than 1.4 million individual grants reached over 155,000 organizations, averaging $24 million in support each day. On Giving Tuesday alone, grants topped $69 million.
Published November 3, 2025
WOMEN ADVISORS
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
RETIREMENT
FINTECH
RIA NEWS