Chariot Introduces New Solution for Better Grant Payments with 6 DAF Partners

This collaborative product launch brings a faster, easier, safer way to send & receive grant payments.

Chariot has joined forces with 6 Donor Advised Fund (DAF) Providers to introduce a new solution for grant payments that benefits DAF providers and nonprofits alike. We’re thrilled to announce that Chariot Disbursements* is now available to DAFs and nonprofit organizations on Chariot. 

The age-old problem

Chariot Disbursements solves an increasingly difficult and costly problem in philanthropy: 

What is the best way for DAFs to send grant funds and gift details to eligible nonprofits? 

Previously, there has been no effective, holistic solution for disbursing funds to the 1.5 million nonprofits in the U.S. This has led to all DAF Providers using different, sub-optimal processes. 

And the worst part? Every single DAF provider replicates much of the same work when they each pay the same nonprofits—including running diligence on the organization, searching and confirming its address, or locating its account and routing numbers. 

Nonprofit recipients ultimately bear the greatest burden of this phenomenon, having to manage these disparate processes for every DAF provider that sends them gifts. 

The all-new solution

Chariot Disbursements aims to change these inefficient, time-consuming processes with an accessible payment network custom-built for rapid, data-rich grant payments. 

“We’ve been on a long search for a grant payment solution that could effectively scale with Daffy’s rapid growth,” says Adam Nash, Daffy’s co-founder and CEO. “Helping to build this solution with the Chariot team, and share the innovation with any other DAF providers that want to use it, is exactly the collaborative approach our sector needs to solve these big problems.”

Once a nonprofit completes their Chariot onboarding, they will now have a Chariot Deposit Account*. DAF Providers using Chariot Disbursements can easily send funds enriched with full gift details to that validated organization and its verified users. 

For organizations that aren’t yet on Chariot, payments may be sent as mailed checks with enhanced security procedures**, and customized grant letters attached, through the same API or dashboard.

Discover the benefits of Connected Payments

Chariot Disbursements is a holistic solution that doesn’t simply offer digital payments —-it creates Connected Payments between DAFs and nonprofits on Chariot.

Connected payments are:

• Connected to speed: Payments settle instantly, once approved, so funds can be put to work faster. 

• Connected to data: Payments contain structured data and attachments in one place for more efficient operations.

• Connected to identity: Verified recipients mean more secure delivery.     

Developed in partnership with leading DAF providers

Chariot Disbursements was born from the needs of nonprofits and DAF Providers. We worked alongside people who manage grant payments on both sides of the equation to thoughtfully build a comprehensive solution that supports a seamless and trusted giving experience for everyone.

“Our prior methods of sending grant payments put an immense operational burden on our team and our grantees,” adds Megan Hyman, CEO of the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation. “We have been thrilled to partner on the development of Chariot Disbursements, which will be a tremendous organizational improvement for community foundations of all sizes around the country, especially while we’re all working hard to keep our DAF offerings competitive and cost-effective.”  

Chariot is well-positioned to create this universal platform between nonprofits and DAF Providers, regardless of the tools they use to manage their program. The solution is accessible via open API or an easy-to-use dashboard, so that DAF Providers at any scale, with any technology, can easily plug in. The network for Chariot Disbursements will combine the audience of over 60,000 nonprofits with DAFpay on their donation forms, with all of the Disbursements Partners’ grant recipients, who will be encouraged to get on Chariot for Connected Payments. 

“This is just the beginning of an important evolution in giving,” shares Salo Serfati, Chariot’s Co-Founder & CEO. “We are ambitiously expanding our footprint and investing in innovations that can make this a ubiquitous payment layer for the DAF ecosystem. We’re all incredibly motivated by the impact this can have on our mission to accelerate philanthropy.” 

In addition to Daffy and Dallas Jewish Community Foundation, Endaoment, EarthShare, Neta and Daffeinated partnered on the development and launch of the new platform. 

Connected Payments from Chariot Disbursements will help these DAF Providers efficiently scale their giving and support nonprofits in increasing their impact with streamlined gift processing. 

Watch the full webinar recording here.

Next steps: For nonprofit organizations

Any eligible nonprofit can get on Chariot today to start benefiting from Connected Payments sent by enrolled DAF Providers for free. There is no cost to receive Disbursements on Chariot or transfer funds to an external financial account up to twice per month. 

Organizations that currently have a Chariot account will need to verify an Officer’s information during some additional onboarding steps that will be displayed in your dashboard. Learn more about onboarding here.

Next steps: For DAF providers

Reach out to the Chariot Team to learn more about the onboarding process and pricing structure.

*Chariot is a financial technology company, not a bank. Chariot Deposit Accounts are a DDA (Demand Deposit Account) through our Bank Partner, Column N.A., Member FDIC. The Chariot Deposit Account is required to access Chariot Disbursements.  Deposits in Chariot Deposit Accounts are eligible for FDIC insurance up to $250,000 per depositor, for each insurable capacity in which the account is held.

**Chariot’s check payment verification process tailors validation methods based on donation amount, prior payment history, and address verification through sources like the IRS Business Master File and the nonprofit’s website. The system incorporates automated outreach, direct contact for larger payments, an adaptable risk engine to help reduce fraud, and important controls like Positive Pay protections and delivery tracking to ensure payment reaches the intended nonprofit.

About Chariot 

Chariot is a financial technology company focused on Donor Advised Fund payments. We create better DAF giving experiences for donors, nonprofits and DAF providers. Chariot’s DAFpay is the first and only DAF payment option that embeds easy DAF giving into any donation form or nonprofit website where someone is inspired to give. DAFpay lets donors use their DAF in 3 clicks, helps nonprofits spur more DAF giving with more useful + instant donor details, and helps DAF providers add new utility to their DAF accounts. Chariot’s other product, Chariot Disbursements, solves operational challenges for DAFs and nonprofits, enabling a faster, easier, safer way to send & receive grant payments.