Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) have become increasingly popular among donors as a way to support nonprofits. Currently, there is over $234 billion held in DAFs. DAFs are funds managed by a sponsor until the donor decides which nonprofits to donate to and are now more popular than foundations as a means for the wealthy to make charitable donations.

We invite you to join us for this conversation about the rise of DAFs as a philanthropic vehicle and the benefits and challenges of this trend for nonprofits and DAF sponsors. What reforms and practices will best unlock the funding our communities need in order to thrive?  We’ll get perspectives from nonprofits, community foundation DAF sponsors and donors on how we can all better work together to ensure DAFs are supporting our communities. 

During this call we'll:  

• Share national and regional data about the landscape of DAFs.
• Share perspectives of donors, community foundation DAF sponsors and nonprofits on this issue.
• Discuss the reforms that have been proposed to improve transparency and accountability.  
• Dig into how DAFs can support BIPOC, low-income and rural communities.

This call is hosted by Philanthropy Northwest, Nonprofit Association of Washington, BIPOC Executive Director Coalition of Washington and the Institute of Policy Studies' Charity Reform Initiative. 

Speakers

Andrea Caupain, Byrd Barr Place

Andrea is a lifelong advocate for racial and social justice. She serves as CEO of Byrd Barr Place, which is working to build an equitable Washington through innovative programs and advocacy that empower people to live healthy, prosperous lives. Inspired by the uprising for racial justice in 2020, Andrea, together with three other Black women leaders, launched the Black Future Co-op Fund, the state’s first philanthropy by and for Black Washingtonians to ignite generational wealth, health and well-being. Andrea also serves as a commissioner of the Washington State Commission on African American Affairs, on the boards of Craft3 and Crescent Collaborative and as a steering committee member of the Washington Black Lives Matter Alliance. 

 

Stephanie Ellis-Smith, Phila Engaged Giving

Stephanie Ellis-Smith Headshot

Stephanie Ellis-Smith is a chartered advisor in philanthropy (CAP) and has nearly 30 years of experience in advising high-impact individuals and companies. She works with ultra-high net wealth and high-profile individuals, families, foundations and corporations to make catalytic investments in people and organizations. In 2020, she co-founded Giving Gap (formerly “Give Blck”), an online database of black-founded and led organizations. Having served in a variety of capacities in the social sector as a nonprofit CEO, social enterprise COO, foundation and nonprofit trustee and even a corporate board member her diverse experience and deep knowledge make her unique among her peers. She currently serves on the Seattle Art Museum’s Museum Development Authority Board (appointed by Mayor Jenny Durkan) and is on the board of the National Center for Family Philanthropy. 

Marc Moshcatel, Philanthropy Northwest

Marc assists Philanthropy Northwest’s policy and advocacy efforts through research, helping plan and implement meetings and presentations and drafting informational materials. Born and raised in Seattle, he is interested in the ways that philanthropy can improve communities in the Pacific Northwest and how public policy can shape this impact. Marc received a bachelor's degree in political science from Chapman University and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Washington.

 

Nancy Van Milligen, Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque

Nancy Van Milligen Headshot

Nancy has been president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque since it opened its doors in 2003. Since that time, she has established the foundation as a trailblazer in community leadership and engagement initiatives, drawing the attention of funders across the nation. Through her direction, the foundation has grown to support over 300 nonprofit partners and 4,000 donors, granting $50 million to area nonprofits since its inception. She brings together the energies and resources of nonprofit organizations, businesses and community volunteers to help increase awareness of the importance of giving back to the community and building connections that are critical to solving societal problems.  

Background and Registration

The Philanthropy Northwest Network Call series takes place one Friday of every month to bring an important topic forward to our network. The goal of these calls is to lift up an issue to our network of funders to deepen their learning, inspire action and highlight where philanthropy might intersect with this work. 

These calls are open for anyone to join. You don’t have to be from a philanthropic organization or a member of Philanthropy Northwest, but please note these conversations are framed around philanthropy, and the role philanthropy might play around a particular issue.  

When you register for a Philanthropy Northwest Network Call you are automatically added to the Network Calls listserv. You can unsubscribe and remove your email from the list at any time. 

Accessibility 

Philanthropy Northwest strives to make our events accessible to everyone. On these calls, we offer closed captioning and speakers give physical descriptions of themselves in their introductions. The calls are also recorded and we share out the recordings and other supportive resources within a week after the call. If you require an accommodation or service to fully participate, please contact JulieAnne Behar.