Turning Donor-Advised Funds Into Your Next Major Gifts

Wednesday, September 16, 2026

12:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Citizens Business Bank 

224 Airport Parkway San Jose, CA 95110

Presenter:

Patrick Schmitt

About the Program:

Donors moved $64.89 billion through donor-advised funds (DAFs) to charities in 2024, a 19% increase over the prior year. With more than $326 billion in DAF assets waiting to be granted, many nonprofits may already have significant opportunities within reach.

This session offers a practical playbook for raising more through DAFs without adding headcount. Participants will learn how to identify DAF donors in their database, including anonymous or sponsor-routed gifts and warm prospects already connected to their organization. The program will also cover how to incorporate DAF giving into websites, year-end appeals, recurring giving programs, and one-on-one donor conversations.

The session will conclude with stewardship strategies designed to turn one-time DAF grants into repeat and upgraded giving, along with an overview of current DAF growth and policy trends.

Attendees will leave prepared to:

• Identify DAF donors in their CRM and recover gifts that may currently be unattributed
• Add effective DAF messaging to their website, appeals, and recurring giving program
• Build a stewardship cadence that supports repeat and upgraded gifts
• Adjust their strategy based on current DAF growth and policy trends

This program is designed for frontline fundraisers, annual giving and development leaders, and anyone responsible for growing revenue who may be leaving DAF dollars unclaimed.