Understanding donor advised funds and community foundations: Best practices for working with DAF donors
January 31, 2025
Donor advised funds (DAFs) are a powerful tool for philanthropy, offering news organizations a way to tap into a growing segment of charitable giving.
The Lenfest News Philanthropy Network was joined by Vanguard Charitable Senior Manager and Product Owner Vicky Kelberer and Spotlight Delaware Publisher and CEO Allison Taylor Levine, who spent more than a decade at the Delaware Community Foundation.
This session covers the essentials of DAFs, explains the roles of community foundations, and provides actionable insights on how to engage with donors who use these funds to support causes that matter.
Learn more about:
What donor advised funds are and how they work
How to approach and engage DAF holders for journalistic causes
Best practices for structuring your fundraising appeals to align with DAF giving
How to make the most of the tax advantages that DAFs offer both donors and your organization
Tips for building relationships with fund advisors, community foundations, and nonprofits to enhance your impact
Whether you’re a journalist, a development professional, or part of a newsroom’s fundraising team, this session can help you develop a more strategic and informed approach to DAFs, ultimately boosting your fundraising efforts and strengthening the financial foundation of your newsroom.
Cause IQ – Community Foundations in New York State
Media Impact Funders – Media Grants Database – A comprehensive list of every community foundation grant to media and journalism since 2009. Filter by region.
