Research Meets Practice: Advisors, Clients & DAFs
Date
Apr 28, 2026
Time
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location
Virtual
Topic
Presenter(s)
Erinn Andrews, Founder and CEO of GiveTeam
As donor-advised funds (DAFs) continue to grow in popularity, researchers are gaining insights and understanding that can inform professional advisors who are working with charitable clients.
In an April 28 webinar, GiveTeam Founder and CEO Erinn Andrews covered the fundamentals of DAFs, the latest trends and the importance of intentionality in meeting donor expectations. Andrews fielded questions from financial advisors and nonprofits, and previewed the report she co-authored with the DAF Research Collaborative, "Financial Planning in the Age of Donor Advised Funds," due out this month.
Watch the full replay here:
What We Heard:
- DAFs are not new, but their growth has increased in the last 15 years. As of 2024, almost 1 in 4 dollars contributed to charity is contributed to a DAF.
- While baby boomers account for roughly half of DAF accounts, millennials account for under 10%, representing the greatest potential for future DAF growth.
- More and more individuals are using DAFs for smaller account balances. One 2024 study showed 65% of accounts have less than $100,000.
- Many donors are contributing stock; a Fidelity Charitable report found 61% of assets in DAFs in 2025 were publicly-traded assets.
- Research Andrews helped conduct identified three distinct models of DAF giving strategies: tubs, tanks and towers.
- Tub donors give quickly through a DAF, moving money in and out annually.
- Tank donors contribute large lump sums and grant the money away in the relatively near future.
- Tower donors take a calculated approach with the DAF to sustain their philanthropic activity over time.
- Today's clients want to give, but a major disconnect persists between client expectations and advisor delivery; 6% of clients feel they receive charitable planning advice they seek.
Top Tips from Erinn Andrews
- Bring up charitable planning early and proactively in the planning relationship.
- Bring up charitable planning often; have regular touchpoints.
- Be personally engaged in charitable giving.
- Make charitable planning a core offering and have your bio and website reflect this focus.
- Have your own DAF.
- Have an abundance mindset around charitable planning.
Resources
- Coming soon: "Financial Planning in the Age of Donor Advised Funds" from the DAF Research Collaborative (DAFRC). Follow the DAFRC on LinkedIn so you find out when the paper is published this month!
- "Tubs, Tanks, & Towers" research paper here, and a summary of the behaviors in a blog post here.
Annual report due out in July: Giving USA
American Endowment Foundation's March report "Unlocking Generosity: The Advisor's Role in Inspiring Purpose and Impact"
About the Presenter
Erinn Andrews is the Founder & CEO of GiveTeam, a public benefit corporation philanthropic advising firm that helps donors develop a charitable mission statement and identify local nonprofits to fund. Andrews’ prior roles include leading a research lab at Stanford’s Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society focused on effective philanthropy and running GuideStar’s nonprofit strategy. Andrews serves as the President of Advisors in Philanthropy, conducts research and teaches about donor advised funds. She earned her B.A. and M.A. from Stanford University and lives with her family in Menlo Park, California.