The Next Chapter for DAFs: Visibility, Velocity, and Value

🎓 What We Learned from the First-Ever DAF Professional Certification

We just completed the inaugural Donor-Advised Fund Professional Certification in Dallas and returned energized by what’s next for the philanthropic ecosystem. DAFs are poised for transformation, and the future is all about impact.

Daffodil co-founder Sarah Angello completed the certification and offers three key insights back to the Daffodil community.

1. DAFs now receive 16% of all U.S. charitable donations, up from 4% in 2010

With over $250 billion under advisement, the scale is real. But so is the underutilization. Too many DAFs remain underutilized sources of philanthropic capital rather than as strategic launchpads for action and client engagement.

The certification training emphasized the need for platforms and advisors to integrate DAFs - and philanthropic planning in general - into the core of wealth management and financial planning.

This means training advisors to speak confidently about charitable strategies. It means aligning donor goals with tailored giving pathways. And it means treating philanthropic planning with the same rigor as tax, estate, and investment planning.

2. Impact Isn’t Optional — Visibility Is the Missing Link

One of the most repeated themes across the sessions, especially from experts at ideas42 and Vanguard Charitable, was this: donors want to give with confidence. But confidence requires visibility.

Currently, most DAF users don’t see a holistic picture of what their giving is achieving. They’re often unaware of patterns, outcomes, or comparisons. The behavioral science is clear: when people can track their progress toward a goal, they’re more likely to keep going.

This presents a huge opportunity. By building tools that show progress, surface feedback from nonprofits, and contextualize giving in real-world terms, DAFs can shift from compliance products to engagement platforms.

At Daffodil, this principle drives our product: make impact visible, not burdensome — for donors and nonprofits.

3. Unlocking Non-Cash Assets Is the Next Growth Lever

One of the standout sessions explored the mechanics of donating appreciated assets — from real estate and private equity to restricted stock and crypto.

The takeaway? 97% of American wealth is not in cash. Yet the vast majority of charitable donations are made with dollars. That’s a disconnect and a massive growth opportunity.

Donating complex assets not only offers compelling tax benefits, but also allows donors to give at higher levels. However, most donors (and many advisors) don’t have the knowledge or systems to navigate the process.

DAFs are uniquely positioned to become the go-to vehicle for complex asset donations. We learned about donations of private businesses, artistic treasures, and even livestock. Sponsors need to offer clear playbooks, onboarding support, and simplified infrastructure to make it seamless.

The Training Itself: Building a New Standard of Practice

The certification, hosted by The American College of Financial Services, offered more than theory — it laid out a blueprint for professionalizing the DAF space. It emphasized the convergence of nonprofit, wealth management, and academic sectors, and encouraged us to bring applied knowledge back into our work.

At Daffodil, we’re building tools to help donors give smarter, nonprofits get visible, and advisors deliver real impact. The future of giving isn’t just about dollars — it’s about outcomes.

👉 Want to see what this looks like in action?
Get in touch to learn how Daffodil’s platform brings visibility, accountability, and strategy to donor-advised funds. Whether you’re a fund sponsor, advisor, or nonprofit leader, we’d love to show you what’s possible.