#HalfMyDAF’s encourages donors to unlock these funds and send them directly to nonprofits doing impactful work.
On May 20, 2025, at 10:00 PM UTC, #HalfMyDAF is hosting a free webinar designed to shine a light on Donor Advised Funds (DAFs)—a major, yet often underused, source of philanthropic capital worldwide.
What Are Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs)?
A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) is a charitable giving vehicle that allows donors to set aside money or assets for philanthropy.
Donors contribute to the fund and receive an immediate tax benefit, but they can recommend how and when the money is granted to charities over time.
#HalfMyDAF’s mission is to change that by encouraging donors to unlock these funds and send them directly to nonprofits doing impactful work.
Speakers Jennifer Risher, co-founder of #HalfMyDAF, and Woodrow Rosenbaum, Chief Data Officer at GivingTuesday, will share data-backed insights and practical strategies to help nonprofits engage donors and activate giving.
Who Should Attend?
Any nonprofit, big or small, anywhere in the world, that wants to better understand:
- How DAFs work
- Why funds remain idle
- How to position your organization to receive these donations
- What motivates donors to give now
What’s in It for Non-U.S. Organizations?
While the $2.25 million matching grant pool is available only to U.S.-registered nonprofits, the knowledge and tactics shared in the webinar apply globally.
Global nonprofits can:
- Learn how to connect with U.S.-based DAF donors, including diaspora supporters
- Explore partnerships with U.S. fiscal sponsors to access DAF funds
- Adopt storytelling and donor engagement strategies proven to unlock giving
- Understand a model that might inspire local donor-advised giving initiatives
Why This Matters Globally
While DAFs are most common in the United States, their influence spans beyond national boundaries.
International NGOs, global grant-making institutions, community foundations, and philanthropy networks that receive U.S.-based DAF grants are all in a position to benefit from this matching initiative—if their donors are engaged.
The #HalfMyDAF approach also offers a strategic model for similar efforts globally, particularly in regions looking to make philanthropic capital more responsive and timely.
The webinar serves as a practical entry point for understanding both the mechanics of DAFs and how to access unrestricted matching funds.
Growing DAF Initiatives
Though DAFs originated in the U.S., their influence is growing worldwide, including in Africa.
A leading example is South Africa’s Tree of Life Foundation, which has developed a donor-advised fund platform tailored for the African philanthropic context.
Donors contribute to a collective endowment fund managed through various investment portfolios, ensuring capital growth and sustained giving to charities across the continent.
The Foundation’s model blends impact investing with philanthropy, providing long-term, predictable funding to nonprofits.
It also enables international donors—including those in the U.S.—to participate through partnerships with organizations like TrustBridge Global and the National Christian Foundation (NCF).
This innovative approach demonstrates how donor-advised funds can be adapted to different unique landscapes, offering flexible, strategic giving tools that empower both donors and nonprofits.
Interested organisations can register at: www.halfmydaf.com
