8 Tips to Increase Donations from Donor-Advised Funds in 2025

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May 15, 2025 | 5 min read By:

Overview

  • Donations from DAFs are increasingly popular and reached over $54 billion in 2023
  • Corporate giving hit $37.6B in 2023, and $7B went unclaimed. (Much of this giving is processed through a DAF)
  • Engaging with DAF donors is an effective, long-term fundraising strategy
  • DAF donors are intentional, so show them exactly how their gifts make a difference.

Fundraisers need to understand how to engage and connect with donors who use donor-advised funds (DAFs) so they can make the most of this valuable source of donations which reached $54.77 billion in 2023, Also, according to CCS Fundraising, in 2023, workplace giving reached an impressive $5 billion, and corporate giving increased 3% to reach $37.6 billion.

Workplace giving programs are a popular way for employees to donate to causes they care about. Often, these donations are accompanied by an employer match, which usually doubles, or sometimes even triples, the donation. Employees can match donations using a workplace giving platform, or match offline donations from credit cards and even Donor Advised Funds.  Yet, An estimated $7 billion in corporate match giving went unclaimed in 2023. What if your nonprofit could tap into that lost funding?

When fundraisers take the time to understand how DAFs work and build relationships with these donors, they can tap into a valuable source of funding to increase their impact. It’s essential that nonprofits incorporate DAF engagement into their overall fundraising strategy to maximize donations and advance their mission.

Here are eight strategies to connect and engage with donors who use donor-advised funds

  1. UTILIZE YOUR CRM: Start by using your customer relationship management (CRM) system to identify donors who donate throughDAFs. This information can help tailor your outreach efforts and develop a personalized approach. A donation from a donor using a DAF is often a planned and intentional gift, so it’s important to understand that these donors make premeditated decisions as opposed to making impulsive donation decisions.
  2. IDENTIFY TRENDS: Take the time to analyze the giving patterns of DAF donors. Do they consistently give at a certain time every year? Did they give through a workplace giving program or an individual DAF account? Understanding these trends can help you develop targeted outreach and fundraising strategies tailored to each individual. Add in their non DAF giving too.
  3. LEVERAGE WORKPLACE GIVING PLATFORMS: Almost 27 million Americans have access to workplace giving programs ( processed through DAF sponsors) where their donations are often matched by their employer, amplifying their donation. Ensure your nonprofit has comprehensive and engaging profiles on workplace-giving platforms, such as NPOconnect and general platforms like Guidestar, to increase visibility and make it easier for potential donors to find and support your cause. When profiles are up-to-date, donors will be more compelled to support your nonprofit using their workplace giving programs.
  4. FACILITATE COMPANY-WIDE VOLUNTEER DAYS: Volunteering powerfully deepens donor engagement, forging direct connections to your mission and inspiring more passionate, informed support, especially from DAF holders. Workplace giving programs offer a highly effective, streamlined channel for this vital hands-on engagement. These corporate initiatives not only simplify volunteer logistics but can also create valuable synergies with giving, benefiting both employees with individual DAFs and company-sponsored DAF strategies. By strategically leveraging volunteer opportunities facilitated through workplace giving, your organization can significantly enhance overall DAF contributions and attract new supporters inspired by your mission in action.
  5. SHARE IMPACT: When communicating with DAF donors, emphasize the impact their donations are having on achieving your mission. Share success stories, testimonials, data points, and concrete examples of how their contributions make a difference in the community. DAF donors are intentional and consciously support causes that are meaningful to them, so showcasing the impact their donation has on your mission will help further encourage their ongoing contributions.
  6. PRIORITIZE DAF DONATIONS: DAF donations often have a faster turnaround time than other donation methods because, as soon as a grant is recommended, the funds begin the process of being transferred to the nonprofit. If your nonprofit has immediate needs or time-sensitive projects, consider reaching out to DAF donors first to help secure the funding you need more quickly.
  7. EMPHASIZE ONGOING DONATIONS: When engaging with DAF donors, highlight the importance of sustained mission support through recurring DAF grants or workplace payroll giving, ensuring long-term impact. Additionally, emphasize a distinct advantage of DAFs: with funds already designated and ‘at the ready,’ they are well-suited for rapidly funding crucial special projects or enabling swift crisis response—whether for community emergencies or your nonprofit’s urgent needs, like government grant shutdowns.
  8. THANK THEM: Show appreciation to donors supporting your organization through DAFs. A simple thank-you email or personalized note can go a long way in fostering a strong donor relationship.

By implementing these strategies, nonprofits can connect and engage with donors who use DAFs, ultimately maximizing their fundraising efforts and advancing their mission. Building strong relationships and showcasing the impact of contributions will help nurture ongoing support from this valuable group of donors. Don’t let this powerful funding source go untapped. Engage DAF donors and unlock your fundraising potential.

For more information about NPOconnect or to sign up for a free account, visit https://nonprofit.yourcause.com/login/create-account.

Learn more about engaging key donors, tapping into workplace giving, how to get donations faster, and other free resources on our blog.

To learn more about The Blackbaud Giving Fund, visit BlackbaudGivingFund.org, or follow the organization on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram for updates, news, and more.