
Congratulations on your organization’s DAFpay launch! Your supporters can now contribute with their DAF in just three clicks—without ever leaving your website.
DAFpay will help you attract new DAF donors and increase your volume of DAF gifts. Look at the incredible impact DAFpay had on Pan Mass Challenge’s fundraising in 2024.
To make sure you have the best results from your DAFpay launch, here are 5 areas of best practice that we recommend every organization follow:
Optimize button placement and update your website
Educate your team
Establish a DAF workflow
Plan your launch strategically
Keep the DAF conversation going
1. Optimize button placement and update your website
To maximize DAF gifts, place the DAFpay button where donors are most likely to act. While having the button on your “Ways to Give” page is important, it shouldn’t stop there.
If you’re able, feature the DAF button on your main donation form alongside other payment methods. This makes it easy for donors to see DAF as a viable option in the same flow where they might consider using a credit card or PayPal.
Check out these examples from The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, NYU Langone, and Earthjustice:



Here are some additional tips to optimize button placement and enhance your website:
Feature the DAFpay button on all your subsequent campaign pages – especially those that are time-sensitive and/or peer-to-peer. While DAF donors often opt to use a credit card in these moments, DAFpay leads to more DAF giving by making it easier and connected to the campaign in real-time.
Streamline the donor experience by avoiding extra required clicks, additional required fields or explanatory text before a donor clicks DAFpay. The DAFpay modal is designed for seamless express checkout, automatically capturing the donor's name and email while addressing any questions about DAFs or DAFpay. A clean experience keeps donors focused on completing their gift with minimal effort.
Ensure consistent CTAs across your website. With DAFpay, donors can now give directly through their DAF on your site. Update outdated language like "look up your DAF," or “learn more” to more action-oriented phrasing like "give with your DAF" to reflect this new capability.
2. Educate your team
Your staff is the frontline of your fundraising efforts. Empower them with the knowledge they need to confidently speak about DAFpay and its benefits. To start, make sure your entire team is well-versed on the following:
The basics of DAFs and when they can be used (feel free to use this thorough overview on DAFs).
DAFpay functionality and features (take a look at this live demo to experience exactly how it will appear to your donors).
Common donor questions and concerns.
Best practices for stewarding DAF donors (This guide should have everything you need).
3. Establish a DAF data workflow
DAF donations reached an all-time high in 2023, totaling $55 billion—nearly double what they were in 2019. Despite this significant growth, nonprofits continue to face challenges when collecting accurate data about their DAF donors and donations.
These challenges are driven by many factors, including::
DAF providers send gifts differently. Some use checks, some use ACHs, and some use platforms like PayPal.
DAFs all share different information. Some make sure to record and share the name, contact information, and gift designation of a donor, but many others only share the donor’s fund name, which might not share any information about the donor themselves.
DAF gifts have restrictions. They cannot be used to “purchase” items like auction prizes, gala tables, or tickets.
Read this in-depth resource to ensure that your DAF data processes are in-line with best practices and that you’ll get the most out of your DAFpay gifts.
4. Plan your launch strategically
The most successful DAFpay launch takes a multi-faceted approach. Align your product release with a well-coordinated marketing campaign, and enter the launch phase with a clear strategy and consistent communication to engage your supporters.
Consider these methods of promotion:
Blog post or article highlighting the value of DAFs for your donors and explaining how they can use DAFpay to support your organization
Here’s a great example from the Boys and Girls Club of America
Targeted email blast to your donor base. Consider segmenting your audience based on factors that indicate a higher likelihood of DAF contributions (for more details on effective segmentation, check out this guide).
Updated website to feature information about DAFs and DAFpay
This page on Action Against Hunger’s website is the top result when searching for “Action Against Hunger + DAFs” on Google.
5. Continue the conversation
Maintain momentum by keeping DAFs and DAFpay in your donor touchpoints. Incorporate them into all future communications, from email updates and newsletters to campaign materials and one-on-one conversations with donors.
Here are a few strategies to consider when deciding how best to incorporate DAFs into your messaging:
Integrate DAFpay into your regular fundraising appeals: Mention DAFpay as a simple and effective way for donors to contribute directly to your cause, whether it's through a campaign, event, or general appeal.
Provide educational materials: Publish clear, accessible instructions on how to use DAFpay, addressing common questions and concerns. Offer resources such as videos, FAQs, or step-by-step guides to ensure that donors feel confident using the platform.
Use this DAFpay tutorial as a resource:
Highlighting the benefits for your mission: Help donors see how their DAF gifts through DAFpay drive meaningful progress for your mission. Describing the operational benefits to your team of DAFpay can go a long way in motivating donors to change their giving behavior. It’s always helpful to share success stories and show clear results, so donors know exactly how they’re helping.
By following these tips, you’re well on your way to a successful DAFpay launch. A thoughtful and strategic approach will not only ensure a seamless experience for your supporters, but also foster stronger donor relationships and increase long-term engagement. At Chariot, we’re here to help you every step of the way as you optimize your DAFpay experience and continue to drive meaningful impact for your mission.
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