Inside the 2025 DAF Fundraising Report: How Donor-Advised Funds Are Transforming Philanthropy
- Mitch Stein
- Jun 27
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 3
DAF giving grew 30% in 2024—discover how donors are doubling their impact and reshaping fundraising with DAFs.
Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) have taken center stage in the nonprofit fundraising landscape—and the 2025 DAF Fundraising Report released by Chariot and K2D Strategies on June 26th is the most comprehensive examination of that transformation to date.
The report was presented in a lively webinar by Mitch Stein (Head of Strategy at Chariot), Karin Kirchhoff (Founder at K2D Strategies), and Kate Hollandsworth (AKwire), this year’s report builds on the 2024 findings with sharper insights, expanded data, and new strategic guidance for nonprofit leaders.
Below, we unpack the key findings, stories, and recommendations from the report and the webinar, showcasing how nonprofits across the country are harnessing the power of DAF giving to not just raise more, but raise smarter.
A Record Year: More Data, More Impact
The 2025 report draws from a robust dataset: 32 nonprofit participants representing $12 billion in total revenue, 108 million individual transactions, and over 400,000 DAF gifts—more than doubling the scale of the prior year's analysis.
“This is about uncovering what’s truly happening with donor behavior when it comes to DAFs,” Mitch Stein explained in the webinar kickoff. “We’re looking beyond the aggregate data from DAF sponsors. We went straight to nonprofits’ own records to understand what DAF giving actually looks like in practice.”
The result is a remarkably rich, actionable view of how DAFs are shaping the donor journey and nonprofit staff experience.
Five Key Takeaways from the Report
1. DAFs Boost Individual Giving
Perhaps the most compelling finding is this: donors who convert from traditional giving (credit card, check) to DAF giving double their contributions to the same organization. In 2024, the median change after an existing donor “converts” to DAF giving was +100% - the average was an 888% increase!
2. DAFs Aren’t Just for the Ultra-Wealthy
A myth that continues to circulate in the nonprofit industry is that DAFs are primarily the realm of ultra-wealthy, major donors. The data shows otherwise.
"Sixty-nine percent of all DAF gifts in this study were under $1,000," noted Karin Kirchhoff. “DAFs are used at every donor level, from under $100 to over $10,000.”
This is reshaping how nonprofits think about their fundraising strategies—no longer reserving DAF messaging only for high-net-worth households.
3. DAF Donors Are More Loyal
DAF donors aren’t just more generous—they’re also more consistent. The study found a 13-point higher donor retention rate for DAF givers compared to their non-DAF counterparts.
“Even though most organizations aren’t stewarding DAF donors very intentionally yet, the retention numbers are remarkable,” said Kirchhoff. “That tells us there’s so much upside here if we just put a bit more structure and energy into these relationships.”
4. DAFs Are the Fastest-Growing Way to Give
In 2024, the median year-over-year growth rate for DAF revenue among participants was 30%—while non-DAF giving actually declined by -1%.
Even for organizations with growing non-DAF revenue, the difference is extreme. The National Audubon Society, for example, had double-digit non-DAF revenue growth in 2024 and DAF revenue grew 6x faster.
5. DAFs are increasingly benefitting smaller organizations
This growth isn’t limited to large institutions. In fact, smaller nonprofits (under $10M in revenue) saw a 143% increase in the share of revenue coming from DAFs between 2020 and 2024. This category also had the highest percentage of revenue coming from DAFs by 2024, at 15% across all organizations in that category.
Bonus: DAFs Are Reshaping Mid-Level Giving
The data shows that DAFs are rapidly gaining traction in the mid-level donor segment ($1,000–$10,000).
Tech Meets Generosity: The Power of Embedded DAF Giving
A recurring theme in the webinar was friction—specifically, how the complexity of DAF transactions has historically limited their potential.
DAFpay, Chariot’s express checkout option for DAFs, is changing that by embedding three-click DAF giving directly into donation forms alongside credit cards and ApplePay.
March of Dimes is a standout example with a robust case study in the report. After embedding DAFpay on their site and peer-to-peer forms in 2023, their DAF revenue more than doubled in 2024. The average increase from converted donors was 140%, and half of their DAFpay donors were brand new.
As one anonymous donor quoted in a Giving Compass Philanthropy report put it:
“There are just many more steps with donor advised funds… I often forget it’s there. When I’m asked in the moment, it’s easier to just put in my card.”
Reducing friction unlocks giving.
Practical Strategies for Elevating DAF Fundraising
The second half of the report is rich with strategy, starting with how to recognize, track, and cultivate DAF donors more effectively. From attribution and coding best practices to donor segmentation and communications, the report offers a comprehensive toolkit and action plans.
One success story came from Public Theater who is featured in a robust case study in the report. Shayla Titley, Director of Patron Programs & Services at The Public Theater. shared the inspiring results of a Capital Campaign mail effort where 25% of $5K+ gifts during a recent campaign came via DAFs—half from donors who had previously given just $100–$600 via credit card.
“We Need a DAF Champion”
Several organizations profiled in the report cited internal advocacy as the key to their success. Whether it’s a development lead, data manager, or planned giving officer, someone has to own DAF strategy and drive cross-team coordination.
At March of Dimes, that champion was VP of Major, Principal & Planned Giving, Karyn DeMartini. Her leadership catalyzed both a cultural and operational shift that led to exponential results.
What’s Next? Join the Movement
The report closes with a call to action. While many DAF donors are already showing increased generosity, retention, and gift size, the sector still has a long way to go in maximizing this opportunity.
Here’s how to start:
Download the full report: Read the 2025 DAF Fundraising Report
Attend upcoming workshops, including "Curing Your DAF Data" with Mitch Stein and Adam Rosenscruggs from Gambit Analytics. This will be an in-depth workshop to get your DAF data in order.
Join DAF Day on October 9th, a nationwide celebration and activation campaign
Claim your Chariot account to enable DAFpay and explore additional integrations
“Everyone should be talking about DAFs,” said Kate Hollandsworth during the webinar. “This is no longer a niche donor segment—it’s central to your fundraising future.
Final Word
The 2025 DAF Fundraising Report is not just a recap of industry trends—it’s a roadmap for nonprofit innovation. From digital strategy to mid-level giving to technology adoption, DAFs are quietly but powerfully reshaping the donor landscape.
And for the nonprofits that lean in? The data suggests the upside has only just begun
If you are interested in joining the 2026 report, please let us know!
Your analysis of DAF contributions is very correct - career orientation is quite difficult, but using the education feature has helped a lot. If you still have doubts, join the Bitlife simulation game, you can understand better!
The 30% growth in DAF giving highlighted in the 2025 report is truly remarkable and speaks volumes about the changing landscape of philanthropy. It's interesting to consider how strategic giving, much like strategic gameplay in Dinosaur Game, can significantly amplify impact.
Get into the groove and enjoy music like never before! Geometry Dash Lite allows you to move in perfect time with each track while completing obstacle-filled stages.
Our stardom jackets website offers unbeatable prices on all products, with the added benefit of free worldwide shipping on every purchase! So check our website now and buy the product of your choice. The Today Show Kahlana Barfield Brown Camo Cardigan
speed stars is an exhilarating athletics game that challenges players to harness pure skill, lightning-fast reflexes, and flawless timing in sprinting events.