What the New Donor-Advised Fund Engagement Report Tells Us

Last week, the Donor Advised Fund Research Collaborative released its most in-depth study to date on DAF donors: “Reinventing the Cycle: Adapting Relationship Fundraising for Donors Who Use DAFs.”

This report isn’t just another analysis of DAF statistics. It’s a wake-up call about what today’s strategic donors actually want, and how most fundraising practices are failing to keep pace.

🌀 The Traditional Donor Engagement Cycle is Broken

Fundraising used to follow a predictable path: a nonprofit met a potential donor, asked for a gift, maintained a relationship, and repeated the ask (maybe with a little increase) a year later. But when gifts come from a DAF, that cycle is often short-circuited.

• The donor might be invisible to the nonprofit.

• The timing of gifts may not match an organization’s appeals.

• The recognition loop is fractured, often leaving fundraisers unsure who to thank—or how to share more about the impact of the gift.

And yet, this isn’t about disengaged donors. This new report shows it’s actually the opposite.

🧠 DAF Donors Are Highly Strategic and Eager to Engage

The research shows that DAF donors are:

• Proactive: They often initiate giving on their own timelines.

• Values-led: Their giving aligns with clear missions and goals.

• Advisor-connected: They view giving as part of a broader financial framework.

• Relationship-ready: They want transparency, meaningful engagement, and updates on impact.

But without the right tools, many nonprofits aren’t equipped to meet these expectations DAF holders remain under-engaged or stuck in passive giving patterns.

🌼 Why We’re Motivated by the Data

At Daffodil, we’ve reimagined how DAFs can lead to deeper impact and better engagement.

Donors can discover new organizations, make a charitable giving strategy, and receive ongoing impact updates.

Financial advisors can support client philanthropy with built-in transparency and compliance tools. They can guide this journey with a modern tool that links philanthropic intent to real-world outcomes.

Nonprofits can reach new DAF donors and amplify their impact, without burdensome reporting or complicated frameworks.

🚀 Where We Go From Here

The report makes one thing clear: DAF donors aren’t disengaged. They’re often just disconnected by design.

The future of DAF engagement needs to connect the dots—between donor intent, nonprofit need, and real-world outcomes.

👉 Read the Report

🌼 Explore Daffodil

Daffodil in Denver: Join us on June 12

We’re officially launching to the public on June 12 with a community event in Denver—and we’d love to see you there. Join us as we celebrate our pilot partners, share what’s next for values-driven, donor-directed giving…and enjoy a few rounds on the golf simulator.

This launch marks a major milestone in building a more transparent, impactful, and collaborative future for DAFs. Reply to this message to RSVP!

• 📍 Crow’s Nest, 4200 Tennyson Street, Denver, CO

• 📅 Wednesday, June 12

• 🕕 6:00 PM