DAF Day: Keep the Focus on Your Mission

Written by Diana Coyle, CICF Director of Nonprofit Services and Sustainability

Donor-advised funds have become an increasingly visible part of charitable giving, and DAF Day on October 8 gives nonprofits a timely reason to remind supporters that they can use these funds to support the organizations they care about. 

Making the most of DAF Day does not require a complicated campaign or a sudden push to become a donor-advised fund expert. Think of it as another opportunity to communicate clearly, make giving easy, and keep your mission front and center. 

Make sure donors know you accept DAF grants 

This sounds simple, but it matters. A donor may have charitable dollars available in a donor-advised fund without thinking immediately about using them to support your organization. 

Review your website, giving page, emails, and donor materials. If donor-advised funds are not mentioned, add a simple reminder such as: “You can also support our mission by recommending a grant from your donor-advised fund.” You do not need to explain all the mechanics. 

Connect the giving vehicle to your mission 

DAF Day may be about donor-advised funds, but your communications should still be about what donors make possible. Share a story, highlight a current need, or describe an opportunity, then include donor-advised funds alongside other ways people can support your work, such as gifts of stock, Qualified Charitable Distributions from IRAs for eligible donors, or estate gifts. 

The donor-advised fund is simply one tool a donor may use to put charitable intentions into action. 

Use DAF Day as a conversation starter 

Not every DAF Day communication needs an immediate ask. The day can open a broader conversation with longtime supporters about how they organize their philanthropy or prepare for year-end giving. The goal is not to assume that every donor has a donor-advised fund, but to remind supporters that there are many ways to be generous. 

Keep our team in your philanthropic network 

Our team can be a resource for general questions about charitable giving through donor-advised funds and the philanthropic landscape in our region. At the same time, donor relationships and fund information are confidential. We cannot share who has a donor-advised fund or provide a shortcut to DAF grants. Their confidentiality is important. Donors trust us to honor their privacy and charitable intentions, just as they trust nonprofits to steward gifts well. 

Approach DAF Day for what it is: an opportunity to make donors aware of another way to support causes they already care about. Make giving easy, keep the focus on your mission, and use the occasion to strengthen the charitable conversations that matter all year long. 

About the Author 

Diana Coyle, director of nonprofit services and sustainability, is dedicated to helping Central Indiana nonprofits access the tools, knowledge, and relationships they need to thrive. In collaboration with her CICF colleagues she supports CICF fundholders offering professional development, resources, and technical assistance that strengthen organizations and their leaders. With more than 15 years of experience in leadership and community engagement, she is committed to fostering connections that amplify the missions of nonprofits and create lasting impact across the region.