The Fundraising Focus: Demystifying Donor Advised Funds

Donor-advised funds (DAFs) are one of the fastest-growing charitable giving tools—but for many nonprofit professionals, they can feel confusing or unclear. Who controls the funds? How do donors use them? And how can your organization better position itself to receive this type of support?
This session will break down DAFs in straightforward, practical terms. Led by The Erie Community Foundation’s Philanthropic Services team, you’ll learn how these funds work, how donors think about using them, and how the Foundation partners with individuals and families to support the causes they care about.
Whether you’re new to DAFs or looking to deepen your understanding, this session will provide both a strong foundation and helpful local context for how DAFs operate within our community.
We’ll cover:
- What donor-advised funds are—and how they differ from other types of charitable giving
- How donors use DAFs to plan and support their philanthropy
- The role The Erie Community Foundation plays in managing and advising these funds
- Common misconceptions and questions about DAFs
- How development professionals can better understand and engage donors who give through DAFs
Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how DAFs function, how they fit into donors’ overall giving strategies, and how to more confidently navigate conversations around this increasingly important philanthropic tool.