Donor-Advised Funds Don’t Pass the Democracy Smell Test
A former director of development says DAFs widen the power imbalance between donors and nonprofits.
Donor-Advised Funds Are Essential to Democratizing Philanthropy
Proponents of federal regulation say the accounts are piggy banks for the wealthy. But they are missing out on how essential DAFs are for encouraging people of more moderate means to give generously.
By Kathleen Enright
Contributor
This day reminds us that donors pay attention to deadlines. Now is the time to impose them on donor-advised funds.
By Ray D. Madoff and John Arnold
Philanthropist Couple Urges Wealthy Donors to Give Now
Jennifer and David Risher started the #HalfMyDAF campaign to encourage people to give more from their donor-advised funds. They also support Worldreader, a nonprofit David co-founded to provide books to young people in underserved places.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Education Charities Continue to Receive Largest Share of Donor-Advised Fund Grants
Grants from DAFs accounted for 6.1 percent of all dollars received by charitable organizations in 2018, up from 3.8 percent five years earlier, according to a new report from the Giving USA Foundation.
By Michael Theis
Contributor
Charities and Foundations Spent $352 Million on Disaster Efforts in 2019
Half went to relief and response projects, while preparing for catastrophic events was the second most popular use of nonprofit funds. Still, government spending is far more, accounting for over $29 billion.
By dan.parks
Contributor
Donor-Advised Funds Saw Rapid Growth in 2020
The amount donors sent to charities from those funds reached $34.7 billion, a 27-percent increase from 2019.
By Michael Theis
Contributor
Measure on Donor-Advised Funds Misses Opportunity to Produce Genuine Societal Benefits
Rather than focusing on payout rates to nonprofits, ACE Act supporters should consider how donor-advised-fund assets are invested. Specifically, they should push for legislation that encourages DAF holders to make investments that help communities in need.
By Beth Sirull
Contributor
As Foundation Assets Balloon, Their Giving Needs to Catch Up — Now
Rather than aiming their fire at donor-advised funds, those concerned about charitable giving should focus on large foundations, flush with stock-market cash, that have failed to match their growing assets with higher rates of nonprofit funding.
By Howard Husock
Contributor
Donations to Small Nonprofits Hit Harder by Covid Than Gifts to Larger Ones, Study Shows
Four in 10 nonprofits with annual budgets of less than $500,000 saw a decrease in donations in 2020 compared with 29 percent of larger ones.
By dan.parks
Contributor
Watch the Debate: How Senate Bill to Speed Up Giving Would Work
The nonprofit world is divided over a plan to change tax rules for foundations and contributors to donor-advised funds.
By Stacy Palmer
Chief Executive Officer
A new measure in the Senate would prod foundations and donor-advised funds to stop hoarding assets. As a Giving Pledge signatory, I’m not the only big giver who thinks this is much-needed policy change, writes Melanie Lundquist. Plus: See our briefing on the Accelerate Charitable Efforts Act featuring Lundquist and four other expert speakers.
By Melanie Lundquist
Contributor
Community Foundations Have Good Reason to Oppose King-Grassley Legislation
The legislation could endanger the future of community foundations and disrupt support to local nonprofits, according to three community foundation leaders.
Community Foundations Have Every Reason to Embrace a New Senate Bill to Regulate Donor-Advised Funds
Opposition from the funds is mounting, even though the legislation offers an ideal moment for community foundations to distinguish themselves from commercially sponsored funds like Fidelity and Schwab.
By Alan M. Cantor
Reporter
Coalitions of Foundations and Donors Line Up to Oppose New Senate Measure to Speed Up Giving
Opponents say the measure, which would offer tax benefits to grant makers and donors who push money out the door, especially harms family foundations and community funds.
By dan.parks
Contributor
Sens. Grassley and King Push Measure to Accelerate DAF and Foundation Giving
Two key U.S. senators introduced legislation Wednesday designed to spur faster payouts from donor-advised funds and foundations, giving new momentum to an effort that has deeply divided philanthropy.
By dan.parks
Contributor