Donor-Advised Funds: The Source Fundraisers Can't Afford to Ignore

Berger agrees, and Charity Navigator recommends that all the charities it reports on include the widget or something similar to engage DAFs. Charity Navigator, being a nonprofit itself, practices what it preaches by including the widget on its donation page.

“Part of the popularity of the widget and DAFs in general is that typically the donors are people who give more substantial gifts,” Berger says. “There’s the old 80/20 rule: 80 percent of contributions come from 20 percent or less of donors. Many who have DAFs are in that 20 percent category. It’s a very valuable audience.

“As a fundraiser, if you aren’t on board, you need to wake up and smell the coffee. It’s a powerful opportunity,” Berger adds. “Because there aren’t the burdens for the donor or for the fundraiser, the future is just going to be more. It’s critical that a fundraiser has this in their wheelhouse as a core opportunity to build a large amount of funds for the organization.”