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Age is a poor predictor of generosity.

Many younger donors have significant financial resources, while others are building the habits that will shape their philanthropy for decades to come.

If you dismiss someone because they “look too young” to be a meaningful donor, you may be overlooking one of your organization’s greatest supporters.

Build relationships based on shared values—not assumptions.

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Have a donor situation you’re not sure how to handle? A fundraising strategy that isn’t working? A question you’d love to ask a major donor? Bring it to Power Hour.

This isn’t another webinar where you sit and listen. It’s your opportunity to:

• Ask Lisa your questions live and get her donor-perspective advice

• Get feedback and ideas on challenges happening inside your organization

• Learn from the questions and experiences of other nonprofit professionals

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Donors understand that running an effective nonprofit costs money. Salaries, technology, rent, and infrastructure aren’t distractions from the mission—they’re what make the mission possible.

When organizations avoid talking about overhead, they can unintentionally undermine their own credibility. Be honest about what it takes to create real impact. Most donors will appreciate the transparency far more than an unrealistic story.

Paid subscribers are exclusively invited to Lisa’s live monthly Power Hour – an opportunity to connect with Lisa and other like-minded individuals. During this real time discussion, participants share their recent experiences in the world of philanthropy and have the opportunity to ask Lisa and other members of our subscriber community questions directly. It’s an excellent way of connecting with others involved in fundraising.

I have sat through more nonprofit board meetings than I can count.

Some have been energizing. People came prepared. They asked smart questions. They challenged assumptions. They offered expertise, opened doors, made introductions, volunteered, donated, and actually seemed excited to help the organization succeed.

And then there are the other ones.

You know the meetings I’m talking about. Someone is reading a report that everyone has already received. Half the room is checking email. One person has been on the board since the Carter administration. Nobody wants to talk about fundraising. And everyone breathes a sigh of relief when the meeting ends eleven minutes early.

Why are we doing this?

A board isn’t supposed to be a collection of impressive names on your website. It isn’t supposed to be a social club. And it certainly shouldn’t be an obligation that everyone tolerates four times a year.

Your board should be one of the most valuable resources your organization has.

If it isn’t, something needs to change.

Start with the mission, not the résumé.

One of the biggest mistakes nonprofits make is recruiting board members based primarily on what they have: Money. A recognizable name. A fancy title. Connections. Those things can certainly be useful. But they shouldn’t be the starting point.

In Philanthropy Revolution, I contrasted the all-too-common approach of, “You have the capacity to give. Please join our board.” with the one I’d much rather see: “You are passionate about our mission. Please join our board.”

That’s a pretty significant distinction.

Before you invite someone onto your board, ask why that person belongs there. What perspective do they bring? What expertise? What connection do they have to the mission? What can they contribute that the board doesn’t already have?

And, just as importantly, do they actually want to do the work?

Prestige without engagement isn’t particularly useful.

Money matters. But money isn’t everything.

Let’s address the uncomfortable part: Yes, I think board members should support the organization financially when they have the capacity to do so. Nonprofits need money. Pretending otherwise is silly.

As I wrote in Philanthropy Revolution, the old idea of “give or get” has largely evolved into “give and get”: board members make their own contribution while also participating in fundraising. But that becomes complicated when organizations confuse someone’s financial capacity with their value as a board member.

A terrific lawyer who provides valuable expertise may not be able to make the same gift as a wealthy business owner. A younger board member might bring technological expertise, a completely different network, or insight into an audience your organization desperately needs to understand.

That’s not a problem.

In The Fundraiser’s Handbook, I cited research identifying four characteristics of an effective nonprofit board: experience in critical service areas, a focus on governance rather than day-to-day work, diversity in backgrounds and skills, and comfort raising resources—financial or otherwise.

Notice that last part.

Fundraising participation doesn’t have to mean handing every board member a prospect list and sending them into the wild to ask their friends for $25,000.

Someone can make introductions. Host a small gathering. Bring a potential supporter to an event. Connect staff with a company. Tell people enthusiastically about the mission. Share expertise that saves the organization money.

But doing absolutely nothing? That’s harder to defend.

As I’ve written before, if a board member won’t even make an email introduction or doesn’t see themselves as an ambassador for the organization, I question why they’re taking up a board seat.

Diversity isn’t decoration.

I’ve been talking about board diversity for years, and I continue to be amazed by organizations whose idea of diversifying the board is finding someone who looks different from everyone currently sitting around the table.

That’s not the point.

A strong board should include different ages, professional backgrounds, economic experiences, identities, skills, networks, personalities, and ways of thinking.

Why? Because different people see different things.

If everyone on your board comes from the same generation, socioeconomic background, professional circle and social network, congratulations: you’ve created an echo chamber. And echo chambers aren’t particularly good at innovation.

This matters enormously as the donor population changes. If you’re trying to understand younger donors while nobody under 60 has meaningful input into your organization, perhaps we’ve identified part of the problem.

Your board should help you understand the world your nonprofit operates in now, not recreate the world in which it operated 25 years ago.

Stop wasting your board members’ time.

Here’s something ridiculously simple that organizations overlook: Board members are volunteers. Their time has value.

If you’ve recruited accomplished, knowledgeable people and then invited them to a two-hour meeting where they spend 90 minutes listening to information that could have been emailed to them, you are not engaging your board.

You’re boring them.

In my earlier article 12 Tips for Success, I suggested telling board members at the beginning of every meeting exactly what will be covered, what you’re trying to accomplish, and when the meeting will end. Then—and here’s the revolutionary part—end when you said you would.

Board meetings should give people opportunities to think, discuss, question and contribute.

Instead of:

“Everything is fine. The organization is doing great.”

I’d much rather hear:

“We’re facing some significant challenges. This is what’s going on, and here’s where we could use your expertise.”

Now you’ve given me something useful to do.

Expectations shouldn’t be a surprise.

The time to tell someone what board membership involves is before they join the board.

Not six months later.

Create a clear document explaining attendance expectations, committee participation, terms, fundraising responsibilities, financial expectations, volunteer opportunities, confidentiality, governance responsibilities and anything else that matters to your organization.

If there’s a give/get—or give and get—requirement, spell it out.

If board members are expected to attend events, say so.

If terms are three years, tell them.

Nobody should discover the rules after joining.

And while we’re discussing terms: please have them.

Boards where the same people have occupied the same seats for 15 or 20 years aren’t necessarily benefiting from 20 years of wisdom. Sometimes they’re suffering from 20 years without fresh perspectives.

Treat board members like people.

One of the themes running through nearly everything I write about fundraising is embarrassingly simple: People are people.

Donors are people. Fundraisers are people. Volunteers are people.

Board members are, too.

Find out why they joined. Ask what they’d like to contribute. Learn what expertise they’re excited to share. Check in occasionally about whether their experience is what they expected.

And thank them in the way they want to be thanked.

In my earlier article, I suggested that nonprofit leaders have regular private check-ins with board members to understand their level of fulfillment—or frustration—with their service.

Imagine that. Actually asking someone how things are going instead of waiting until they quietly stop attending meetings.

A better board doesn’t happen accidentally.

Good boards aren’t created by filling empty seats. They’re built intentionally.

Recruit people who care deeply about the mission. Be explicit about expectations. Create genuine diversity of perspective. Give members meaningful ways to contribute. Expect them to participate in the financial health of the organization in ways appropriate to their skills and resources. Give them honest information. Respect their time. And, occasionally, recognize when someone who was once right for the board isn’t right for its future.

That last one can be uncomfortable. Change usually is.

I’ve previously written about being yelled at in a board meeting by a longtime member who accused me of wanting to “change everything.” My response today is pretty much the same as it was then: Sometimes things need to change.

Your mission is too important to preserve an ineffective board simply because changing it would be awkward.

The goal isn’t to have a board. The goal is to have a group of committed people using their collective resources, experience, judgment, relationships, and passion to make your organization stronger.

There’s a very big difference.

And your donors can see it, too.

Want Lisa’s Help With Your Fundraising Questions?

Every month, Philanthropy 451 Premium subscribers are invited to join Lisa LIVE on Zoom for a LIVE Power Hour: our interactive group coaching session where you can bring your real-world fundraising challenges, questions, and ideas and get direct feedback from Lisa and other experienced members of the Philanthropy 451 community.

Have a donor situation you’re not sure how to handle? A fundraising strategy that isn’t working? A question you’d love to ask a major donor? Bring it to Power Hour.

This isn’t another webinar where you sit and listen. It’s your opportunity to:

• Ask Lisa your questions live and get her donor-perspective advice

• Get feedback and ideas on challenges happening inside your organization

• Learn from the questions and experiences of other nonprofit professionals

• Join candid conversations about what’s actually working—and what needs to change—in fundraising today

• Connect with a community of people who care about making philanthropy better

Ready to bring your questions to the next Power Hour?

Upgrade to Premium and join us →

And a huge thank you to everyone who already supports Philanthropy 451 as a Premium subscriber. Your support makes these conversations possible.

Subscribe now

As always, these newsletters will remain free of charge—because saving giving starts with everyone.

Thank you for being part of the revolution!

—The Saving Giving Team

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Not every meeting leads to a meaningful donor relationship—and that’s okay. If someone repeatedly asks for your time but never takes a step toward supporting your mission, it’s worth asking whether your time could be better spent elsewhere.

Fundraising isn’t about saying yes to every conversation. It’s about investing your limited time in the relationships with the greatest potential to create impact.

Paid subscribers are exclusively invited to Lisa’s live monthly Power Hour – an opportunity to connect with Lisa and other like-minded individuals. During this real time discussion, participants share their recent experiences in the world of philanthropy and have the opportunity to ask Lisa and other members of our subscriber community questions directly. It’s an excellent way of connecting with others involved in fundraising.

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Every dollar is not created equal.

Dealing with a donor who threatens, insults you, or puts ridiculous conditions on their donation is rarely worth your time. (Although sometimes when you say no, they back off.)

It’s OK to say no to that donor and spend your time building healthy, helpful relationships with donors who truly care about your mission and trust you to partner with them to do good together.

Read more about how to say no to a donor in this month’s installment of Burning Questions.

Paid subscribers are exclusively invited to Lisa’s live monthly Power Hour – an opportunity to connect with Lisa and other like-minded individuals. During this real time discussion, participants share their recent experiences in the world of philanthropy and have the opportunity to ask Lisa and other members of our subscriber community questions directly. It’s an excellent way of connecting with others involved in fundraising.

“When is it okay to say no to a donor?”

The short answer?

More often than you think.

BUT. Before every fundraiser or ED reading this has a minor panic attack, let me clarify. I’m not suggesting you start turning away gifts because a donor asks too many questions or wants an extra tour of your facility. I’m talking about the donors who cost your organization far more than they contribute.

Yes, they exist.

And if you’re being honest, you probably know exactly who I’m talking about.

As a major donor, I’ve watched nonprofits twist themselves into pretzels trying to accommodate people whose behavior would never be tolerated anywhere else. Entire fundraising teams lose weeks of productivity chasing one demanding donor while dozens—sometimes hundreds—of wonderful, mission-aligned supporters quietly receive less attention.

That math simply doesn’t work.

If a donor isn’t interested in your cause, it’s unlikely you can convince them otherwise. The same principle applies here. If a donor is interested primarily in controlling your organization, receiving special treatment, or making your staff miserable, you probably aren’t looking at a donor relationship. You’re looking at a hostage negotiation.

And that’s a very different thing.

One of the biggest misconceptions in fundraising is that every dollar is a good dollar. It isn’t.

Money almost always comes attached to something. Usually that’s a wonderful thing. A donor cares deeply about your mission. They ask thoughtful questions. They want to understand the impact of their gift. They may even challenge your thinking in ways that make your organization stronger.

Those donors are the folks you want on your team. They’re engaged. They’re invested. They’re partners.

But then there are the other ones.

The donor who insists on approving staff hires. The donor who expects to dictate programming despite having no expertise. The donor who believes it’s “their way or the highway”. The donor who yells or threatens. Or the most common one — the donor who wants meeting after meeting after meeting...and never actually gives.

Fundraisers know exactly what I’m talking about.

One of the biggest hidden costs in fundraising isn’t money. It’s time.

Every hour your team spends entertaining someone who has no intention of making a meaningful gift is an hour they’re not spending with someone who does.

Think about that.

If one “high-maintenance” donor consumes twenty hours of staff time over six months and ultimately contributes little—or nothing—you’ve lost far more than those twenty hours. You’ve also lost every meaningful conversation that didn’t happen with prospective donors who genuinely wanted to support your mission.

Opportunity costs are real. And yet many nonprofits continue chasing these relationships because they believe saying “no” is somehow unprofessional, ungrateful, or just wrong. It’s not. Sometimes saying no is actually saying yes—to your mission.

The most successful nonprofits I’ve encountered understand that their mission must remain bigger than any individual donor. Notice I didn’t say more important than donors.

Donors are incredibly important. Individual giving powers the nonprofit sector. Without donors, organizations simply can’t do their work. But donors don’t own the mission. That’s an important distinction.

If a donor’s demands begin changing who your organization serves, how it serves them, or whether your staff can do their jobs effectively, it’s time to ask a difficult question:

“Who is actually running this organization?”

I’ve also seen nonprofits become so afraid of losing one large donor that they unintentionally alienate dozens of others.

Imagine walking into a restaurant where one customer is screaming at the staff while everyone else quietly watches. Even if your meal is excellent, you’re probably not coming back. Donor communities work the same way.

People notice when one person receives vastly different treatment. They notice when boards look the other way at inappropriate behavior because someone writes a big check. They notice when bad behavior is rewarded. Trust, once lost, is incredibly difficult to rebuild.

There’s another situation where I believe it’s perfectly appropriate to say no: When accepting a gift compromises your values.

This isn’t theoretical. I’ve written before about donors attempting to use charitable gifts to rehabilitate damaged reputations or advance personal agendas. I’ve also watched organizations struggle with whether accepting certain gifts aligns with who they claim to be.

These decisions aren’t easy. Money solves immediate problems. But credibility solves long-term ones. If accepting a gift causes your staff, volunteers, beneficiaries, or other donors to question your integrity, you’ve created a much larger problem than your annual fundraising goal.

Here’s the irony. Fundraisers often worry that saying no to one difficult donor will somehow discourage everyone else. As a donor, I see the opposite.

When I watch an organization maintain healthy boundaries, treat its staff with respect, and refuse to compromise its mission for a check, my confidence goes up—not down.

It tells me that this organization knows who it is. It tells me my gift will support a mission rather than someone’s ego. It tells me I’m partnering with caring human beings. And honestly? That’s refreshing.

The nonprofit sector spends a lot of time talking about donor stewardship. Maybe we should spend a little more time talking about organizational stewardship. Your mission deserves protection. Your staff deserves protection. Your volunteers deserve protection. And yes—even your other donors deserve protection.

Sometimes the kindest thing you can do—for everyone involved—is politely decline a relationship that isn’t healthy. Because here’s what I’ve learned after years of being on the donor side of the table: The best donor relationships don’t feel like power struggles. They feel like partnerships.

When both sides respect each other, communicate honestly, and remain focused on the mission, remarkable things happen. When one side tries to control the other, everyone loses.

So, when is it okay to say no to a donor?

When saying yes would mean saying no to your mission.

See you in the next edition of Burning Questions.

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Inspired by Fahrenheit 451, the classic novel about a world where books are burned to suppress ideas, Philanthropy 451 is about igniting the opposite — sparking bold conversations in a field that too often avoids them. Philanthropy shouldn’t be on fire for the wrong reasons; it should be burning with curiosity, honesty, and change. This newsletter is a place to challenge assumptions, question outdated norms, and reimagine what giving can be when we’re not afraid to turn up the heat.

Not a premium subscriber yet? We hope you will consider joining us. Premium subscribers are invited to our exclusive monthly Power Hour, where I lead thought-provoking discussions with industry leaders on the most pressing topics in giving today. These interactive Zoom sessions are your chance to connect, learn, and collaborate with like-minded changemakers.

Subscribe now

Thank you to everyone who has already joined us as a premium subscriber! Your support makes it possible to dive deeper into the conversations shaping the future of philanthropy.

As always, these newsletters will remain free of charge—because saving giving starts with everyone.

Thank you for being part of the revolution!

—The Saving Giving Team

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Not every donor relationship is a good investment of your time. If someone consistently demands attention from you and the discussion is either painful or going nowhere, it may be time to redirect your energy elsewhere.

There are likely dozens—or even hundreds—of prospective donors you’ve never contacted. Your time is one of your most valuable fundraising resources. Spend it where it has the greatest potential to create impact.

Paid subscribers are exclusively invited to Lisa’s live monthly Power Hour – an opportunity to connect with Lisa and other like-minded individuals. During this real time discussion, participants share their recent experiences in the world of philanthropy and have the opportunity to ask Lisa and other members of our subscriber community questions directly. It’s an excellent way of connecting with others involved in fundraising.

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The challenges nonprofits are working to solve are rarely simple—and they rarely fit neatly within one organization’s walls.

Strategic partnerships allow organizations to share knowledge, expand their reach, and create stronger outcomes. The goal isn’t to “win” against another nonprofit; the goal is to move the mission forward.

I had purchased a table, invited several friends, and was looking forward to the event, especially since many people who were impacted by our work would be in attendance. In fact, each table had 1-2 “beneficiaries” sitting at it. This was our annual fundraising event, we were all looking forward to it, hoping it would be a great success.

As our fundraising committee walked through the “run of show”, we got to the moment where the ask would be made from the stage. And then the head of the committee excitedly said, “and this is when everyone will pull out their checkbooks!”

I honestly thought I had misheard.

Checkbooks?

I spoke up and said, “I won’t have a checkbook. And no one I’ve invited will have one either.”

I was told—very confidently—that I was wrong.

So I tried again:
“Okay… will there be a way to pay by credit card at the tables?”

No was the answer. If the donor wanted to pay by credit card, they could go to the lobby and find someone to complete the transaction there. There would be one or two volunteers with iPads, and there might be a line.

Right. In the world of giving an organization a donation, this was friction personified.

And just last week, an organization I wanted to give to told me that if I wanted to pay via my Donor Advised Fund (DAF), I’d have to call or email them to work it out.

Another organization told me that the donor would have to ask for a link to that their DAF page, because their tech platform didn’t allow them to add any additional information to the site’s existing navigation.

Why in the world would we make it a challenge for a donor to give us money?

There doesn’t seem to be any recent, formal, data on the amount of charitable donations that are paid by check (or, in many instances, DAFs), but most non-academic studies show that more people make donations by checks than by any other method of payment. The closest approximation I could cobble together was $170 billion. But even if the amount is a tenth of that ($17 billion), or even a hundredth of it ($170 million), wouldn’t it be worth it for NPOs to facilitate giving via checks/DAFs, making the transaction effectively “frictionless”?

We know that donors check out our websites for information on our nonprofits. We now know that those websites are often the way donors learn about and communicate with nonprofits that they’re interested in — or even curious about. We also know that the quality of nonprofit organization’s websites are often a deciding factor in a donor giving or not.

Why, then wouldn’t an organization’s website be easy and intuitive to navigate? When the donor is ready to give, shouldn’t the experience be welcoming, gracious, professional and absolutely frictionless?

You might not use checks anymore. Maybe you never used a check. But we still commonly say, when we go on a successful donor call, “they’re going to send a check”. That often means they’ll pay online or via a DAF or some other way, but “check” is still our de facto term for payment.

Here’s the Real Problem

This isn’t about checks.

It’s about friction.

If you make it even slightly difficult for someone to give, you are introducing a moment where they can hesitate… delay… or walk away entirely.

And you rarely get a second chance.

Think about your own behavior:

• Have you ever abandoned a purchase — anywhere, for anything — because the checkout process was too slow?

• Because you couldn’t find the payment option you wanted?

• Because it just felt like too much effort?

Donors are no different.

Friction Is Expensive

We don’t always see it, but it shows up in lost revenue:

• Someone intends to give—but doesn’t have the “right” payment method.

• Someone clicks your website—but can’t easily find the donation link.

• Someone attends your event—but can’t give in the moment.

Every one of those is a missed opportunity.

And those moments add up.

Make It Easy—or Lose the Gift

If we’re serious about growing philanthropy, we need to meet donors where they are—not where we wish they were. (Or even where we personally are.)

That means:

• Accepting multiple forms of payment

• Making donation links visible and immediate

• Enabling mobile and on-the-spot giving

• Removing every possible barrier between intent and action

Because when someone feels inspired to give, that moment matters.

And if you make them work for it, you risk losing it.

A Final Thought

Fundraising isn’t just about the ask. It’s about the experience of giving. And today, donors expect that experience to be simple, fast, and frictionless.

If it’s not, they won’t tell you. They’ll just move on.

Not a premium subscriber yet? We hope you will consider joining us. Upgrade your subscription now to join the next Power Hour and gain access to all premium content!

Premium subscribers are invited to our exclusive monthly Power Hour, where I lead thought-provoking discussions with industry leaders on the most pressing topics in giving today. These interactive Zoom sessions are your chance to connect, learn, and collaborate with like-minded changemakers.

Thank you to everyone who has joined us as a premium subscriber! Your support makes it possible to dive deeper into the conversations shaping the future of philanthropy.

Subscribe now

As always, these newsletters will remain free of charge—because saving giving starts with everyone.

Thank you for being part of the revolution!

—The Saving Giving Team

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It may feel counterintuitive, but helping a donor find the right fit is one of the best ways to build credibility. Donors remember fundraisers who actively listen to them and understand their needs.

That’s how authentic relationships are built.

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A donor’s passion for a cause rarely starts and ends with one organization.

Understanding and supporting the broader ecosystem shows donors that your priority is the mission, not just your own fundraising goals.

True partnership builds trust—and trust builds stronger donor relationships.

This Wednesday July 15, I'll be hosting an encore of my special Power Hour focused entirely on helping nonprofits understand how DAF donors experience their organizations and what they can do to make giving easier. We held this session last month and it went so well, we're doing it once more for those who couldn't make the last one. Don't miss it!

Click here to get your FREE one-month premium subscription and we'll see you on July 15th at 9:30 AM PST.

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Collaboration isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of leadership.

Donors want to see that organizations are focused on solving problems, not protecting territory. When nonprofits work together, they can create more impact, use resources more effectively, and better serve the people who rely on them.

On July 15, I'll be hosting an encore of my special Power Hour focused entirely on helping nonprofits understand how DAF donors experience their organizations and what they can do to make giving easier. We held this session last month and it went so well, we're doing it once more for those who couldn't make the last one. Don't miss it!

Click here to get your FREE one-month premium subscription and we'll see you on July 15th at 9:30 AM PST.

Maybe they’ve been fortunate in their careers. Maybe they’re thinking about the future. Maybe they’ve watched their kids spend more time researching their next pair of sneakers than thinking about ways to help other people.

Whatever the reason, parents eventually get to the same place:

“I want my kids to understand giving. But where do I start?”

The good news is that the answer is much simpler than most people think.

Some people create family foundations with elaborate governance structures, for good reason. They schedule formal family meetings. They create binders and mission statements and committees.

But then some wonder why their children aren’t excited about philanthropy.

Because here’s the thing: Most kids don’t want a board meeting.

They want a cause. They want ownership. They want to feel like they are doing something that matters.

The most effective way to get your kids involved in giving is to give them responsibility for giving.

Not someday. Now.

Start Small. Start Early.

One of the biggest mistakes I see is parents waiting until their children are adults before talking about philanthropy.

Why?

We don’t wait until adulthood to teach children about money.

We don’t wait until adulthood to teach kindness.

We don’t wait until adulthood to teach responsibility.

Giving should be no different.

Some of the most thoughtful philanthropists I know started with very small decisions. They were allowed to choose which animal shelter received a donation. They picked a toy drive. They selected a local food bank.

The amount wasn’t important. The decision-making was.

The lesson wasn’t “how much.” The lesson was “why.”

Let Them Choose

This is where many well-meaning parents accidentally go wrong. They decide what causes matter. Then they invite their children to participate. That’s not really participation. That’s compliance.

If your child loves animals, let them learn about animal welfare organizations. If they care about the environment, let them explore conservation groups. If they’re passionate about education, let them research tutoring programs or scholarship funds.

The goal isn’t to create miniature versions of you. The goal is to help them discover what matters to them and to give them a sense of contributing to the greater good.

We often talk about the importance of knowing your donor. The same principle applies here. Your children are future donors. Get to know them. Listen to what excites them. Pay attention to what concerns them.

You might be surprised by what they care about.

Give Them a Budget

One of my favorite approaches is simple.

Create a small annual giving budget specifically for your child. Maybe it’s $100. Maybe it’s $500. Maybe it’s more. The amount doesn’t matter. What matters is that the money is theirs to recommend or direct.

Ask them to research organizations. Ask them what problem they’re trying to solve. Ask them why one nonprofit stands out over another.

Those conversations are often more valuable than the donation itself.

Consider a Donor Advised Fund

There are many ways to facilitate your child’s giving. One easy and practical option is to use a Donor Advised Fund (DAF).

I've written extensively about DAFs over the years because they remain one of the simplest and most flexible vehicles for charitable giving. If you’re unfamiliar with them, a DAF allows charitable dollars to be legally set aside for future giving and distributed to nonprofits over time. Like a bank account, a DAF can be opened in your child’s name (under your name if your child is a minor), and your child can track their giving online.

Some parents create a separate “giving bucket” within the family’s philanthropic planning and allow their children to recommend grants. Others help older teenagers or young adults establish DAF accounts of their own. (I opened DAFs for my kids at our local community foundation when they were five.)

The beauty of this approach is that it teaches intentional giving. Instead of writing a check because someone asked, children learn to think strategically. What issue do I care about? Which organization seems best positioned to make a difference? How do I know my gift will make an impact? Those are exactly the kinds of questions we want future philanthropists to think about.

Focus on Impact, Not Recognition

Another lesson worth teaching early? Giving isn’t about getting your name on a wall. In fact, some of the most generous donors I know actively avoid recognition.

Children are constantly exposed to a culture that celebrates visibility. Likes. Followers. Attention.

Philanthropy offers a different lesson. You can make a difference without making it about yourself.

Ask your kids to follow up after they make a gift. What happened? Who benefited? What changed?

Impact is infinitely more interesting than recognition.

Let Them Volunteer Too

Money is only one form of philanthropy. Time matters. Talent matters. Energy matters. Compassion matters.

One of the best ways to help children understand charitable organizations is to let them experience the work firsthand.

Volunteer at a food pantry. Help with an animal rescue event. Pack backpacks for students. Participate in a neighborhood cleanup.

When children connect faces to causes, giving becomes real. It stops being abstract.

Resist the Urge to Control Everything

This may be the hardest part.

Your child may support organizations you wouldn’t choose. Their priorities may differ from yours. Their reasoning may seem incomplete.

That’s okay.

Remember: you’re teaching a process. You’re not trying to manufacture perfect philanthropic decisions. You’re helping them develop curiosity, empathy, and confidence.

Those qualities will serve them for the rest of their lives.

The Long Game

Many parents ask how they can ensure their children become charitable adults. The truth is that there are no guarantees. But there is one thing we know. People are far more likely to continue behaviors they helped create than behaviors they were forced to adopt.

If you want your children to become thoughtful philanthropists, give them opportunities to practice philanthropy. Let them make decisions. Let them ask questions. Let them make mistakes. Let them discover what matters.

Because the easiest, cleanest, and simplest way to get your kids involved in giving isn’t to teach them philanthropy.

It’s to let them experience the satisfaction of giving after making the decision themselves.

See you in the next edition of Burning Questions.

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Inspired by Fahrenheit 451, the classic novel about a world where books are burned to suppress ideas, Philanthropy 451 is about igniting the opposite — sparking bold conversations in a field that too often avoids them. Philanthropy shouldn’t be on fire for the wrong reasons; it should be burning with curiosity, honesty, and change. This newsletter is a place to challenge assumptions, question outdated norms, and reimagine what giving can be when we’re not afraid to turn up the heat.

Not a premium subscriber yet? We hope you will consider joining us. Premium subscribers are invited to our exclusive monthly Power Hour, where I lead thought-provoking discussions with industry leaders on the most pressing topics in giving today. These interactive Zoom sessions are your chance to connect, learn, and collaborate with like-minded changemakers.

On July 15, I'll be hosting an encore of my special Power Hour focused entirely on helping nonprofits understand how DAF donors experience their organizations and what they can do to make giving easier. We held this session last month and it went so well, we're doing it once more for those who couldn't make the last one. You don’t want to miss it! Join us using a FREE month of Premium by clicking here.

Thank you to everyone who has already joined us as a premium subscriber! Your support makes it possible to dive deeper into the conversations shaping the future of philanthropy.

As always, these newsletters will remain free of charge—because saving giving starts with everyone.

Thank you for being part of the revolution!

—The Saving Giving Team

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Too many nonprofits avoid learning about their peers because they worry it feels competitive.

It isn’t.

Understanding where your organization fits within your subsector helps you speak more intelligently with donors, identify opportunities, and better articulate what makes your work unique.

Donors are often comparing organizations, whether we like it or not. The more informed you are about the landscape, the more trustworthy you’ll be when discussing why they should donate to your particular organization.

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If you don’t know why most Donor Advised Fund (DAF) account holders don’t care about end-of-year giving, you need to learn. Now.

Here’s the reality: the tax decision was already made when the donor funded their DAF. That means they can recommend grants at any time—not just in December.

Yet many nonprofits still focus most of their DAF outreach during the year-end giving rush.

The organizations that understand this shift are finding opportunities all year long. The ones that don’t are leaving money on the table.

Is your nonprofit easy for DAF donors to find and support?

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Donors shouldn’t have to email, call, or dig through your website to make a gift.

The easier you make the process, the more likely you are to receive the donation. Your EIN, legal name, and mailing address should be easy to find on your website, donation pages, and fundraising materials.

Every extra step creates friction—and friction costs money.

I and my family (including kids) have had our own DAF accounts for about 15 years. If you want to know about my personal experience with DAFs (as a donor), ping me here. Once we hear from you, we’ll be sending you a free gift - the opportunity to join the June Power Hour and learn whether your organization passes the DAF accessibility test. I’ll review as many organizations as time allows live during the Power Hour.

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For years, Philanthropy 451 has explored DAFs from the donor’s perspective, helping fundraisers, nonprofit leaders, and board members better understand this rapidly growing source of charitable giving. The articles below cover everything from the basics of DAFs to common mistakes nonprofits make, practical strategies for increasing DAF gifts, and the importance of building genuine relationships with DAF donors.

Whether you’re completely new to DAFs or looking to improve your organization’s approach, these articles will help you better understand both the mechanics and the mindset behind this important giving vehicle.

What’s With Donor Advised Funds?

A practical introduction to Donor Advised Funds and why they have become such a significant force in philanthropy. Lisa explains the basics of how DAFs work and why nonprofit organizations can no longer afford to ignore them.

Donor Advised Funds, Part Deux

Building on the article above, Lisa addresses common misconceptions about DAFs and explores the barriers that often prevent nonprofits from receiving DAF gifts. A must-read for organizations that want to remove unnecessary friction from the giving process.

Call Me By My Name

A reminder that donors are individuals, not transactions. Lisa explores how personalization, respect, and attention to donor preferences can dramatically improve relationships—including with DAF donors.

The $121B Mistake

Upon writing in 2020, more than $121 billion sat in DAF accounts waiting to be granted to nonprofits. Lisa examines why so many organizations make it unnecessarily difficult for donors to direct those funds and what can be done to change that.

The KISS Method

“Keep It Simple, Stupid” applies to fundraising, too. This article focuses on eliminating unnecessary complexity from the donor experience, including making DAF giving simple, clear, and accessible.

A DAF Donation with a Surprise

A personal story that illustrates both the flexibility and the unexpected impact DAFs can have. Through a real-life example, Lisa highlights the many ways charitable dollars can flow when barriers are removed.

Trending: Donor Advised Funds

DAFs continue to gain popularity among donors. Lisa reviews the growing trend and explains why nonprofit leaders should be paying close attention to changing donor behavior.

A Great Way to Get Some of That DAF Money Flowing to Nonprofits

A practical look at how nonprofits can position themselves to receive more DAF grants. Lisa shares straightforward tactics organizations can implement immediately.

Let’s Talk About DAFs

An honest conversation about what fundraisers still misunderstand about DAFs and the opportunities available to organizations willing to modernize their approach.

$160B Opportunity - Demystifying DAFs

An updated look at the explosive growth of Donor Advised Funds and the enormous opportunity available to nonprofits. Lisa breaks down the numbers and explains why DAFs deserve a place in every fundraising strategy.

Nuisance Giving and Donor Sentiment

How donor experience influences giving behavior. Lisa explores what frustrates donors, what encourages them to give again, and why convenience and respect matter more than many organizations realize.

March is the Start of Spring, and It’s Also a Great Time to Talk to Your DAF Donors

Many nonprofits focus almost exclusively on year-end giving. Lisa explains why DAF donors can give any time of year and why spring may actually be the perfect time to engage them.

What Happens When Fundraisers Chase Dates, Not Relationships

A challenge to traditional fundraising thinking. Lisa argues that focusing too heavily on fundraising calendars and deadlines can distract organizations from building the authentic donor relationships that drive long-term support.

Know Thy Donor

One of Lisa’s core fundraising philosophies: stop making assumptions and start listening. This article explores how understanding donor motivations, preferences, and behaviors can transform fundraising results.

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To help more organizations increase their accessibility to DAF support, I am offering my June Power Hour as a FREE gift to new premium subscribers. During the Power Hour, I will take some time to walk through as many organizations as possible live to evaluate how accessible the organization is to DAF donors. If you are interested in seeing the process, ping me here. Once we hear from you, we’ll be sending you a coupon for a free month as a premium subscriber, which will give you access to Power Hour on June 17th at 9:30am PST.

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All subscribers to Philanthropy 451 are invited to the Donor Participation Project’s upcoming workshop: Building a Board That Actually Fundraises: Strategies for Development, Accountability & Real Results [Fundraising Accelerator]. Lisa will be speaking at this workshop along with Amanda Smith and Louis Diez. Learn more and get your ticket here.

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Want to know how DAF donors think? Become one.

You don’t need a large account balance to learn a tremendous amount about the process - Fidelity Charitable and DAFgiving360 both allow you to open a DAF with no minimum, and have a grant minimum of $50. Some community foundations offer similar programs.

Experiencing the platform firsthand will quickly reveal what’s easy, what’s frustrating, and what might prevent a donor from completing a gift.

Sometimes the best donor research is done by becoming a donor, giving you the donor experience firsthand.

Final note: I and my family (including kids) have had our own DAF accounts for about 15 years. If you want to know about my personal experience with DAFs (as a donor), ping me here. Once we hear from you, we’ll be sending you a free gift - the opportunity to join the June Power Hour and learn more about DAFs for free.

Subscribe now

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One of the biggest misconceptions in fundraising is that every donor is waiting until December to make a gift.

For many DAF holders, the tax decision was made when they funded the account—not when they recommend grants from it. That means they can support organizations any time of year.

If you’re only focused on year-end giving, you may be missing opportunities the other eleven months of the year.

Curious whether your organization is easy for DAF donors to support? Join Lisa’s June Power Hour. For this month only, it’s open to all Philanthropy 451 subscribers at no cost. Stay tuned for more information!

Last month, while attending a panel on DAF at AFP ICON in San Diego, I had a realization. At one moment in the session, we in the audience were asked to talk to the person next to us about… I don’t remember the question, but it doesn’t matter. The point is we were talking about DAFs, and the veteran fundraiser I was speaking with started by saying how she knew donors used DAFs because they wanted to be anonymous. As a longtime DAF account holder, I immediately identified myself as a DAF donor and told her that anonymity is not the primary reason most people use DAFs. (If they do want to be anonymous, there’s a very expensive DAF program just for them).

Note that DAF donors, in most cases, have an option (opt-in) to give their gift anonymously if they want. Most don’t tick that box. Again, anonymity is usually not a reason for someone to open a DAF account. The misconception around anonymity turns out to come from somewhere else entirely.

Why People Actually Use DAFs

Most DAF donors use them because they’re quick, easy, and they offer a degree of protection that direct giving doesn’t offer. They reduce tax-time and administrative stress by providing a single place to track giving. And a DAF donor can make a gift in about 30 seconds total.

And yes, they also offer a great way for donors to use a financial windfall (including a bonus, appreciated stock, etc.) to commit a chunk of that money to charitable giving - and to take a breath so that they can make an intelligent decision about which NPO(s) they want to support. Which means nonprofits should focus less on finding DAF donors and more on removing friction for people who already want to give.

Biggest Nonprofit Mistakes

When you receive gifts from DAF donors, be sure to log them as such, even if you only have the name of the DAF account. We now know why many fundraisers mistakenly believe that DAF donors are, and choose to be, anonymous, and this helps explain the misconception mentioned earlier. I found out at AFP that a typical gift processing scenario goes like this:

1. Checks/payments come into the nonprofit organization.

2. Checks/payments only show the name of the DAF account at the top, and that name might be the name of a trust.

3. Often, there is no address or phone number provided - only the DAF sponsor’s information.

4. Systems at the nonprofit don’t see the information needed to put the “person” into their system, as there’s no address or phone number, so the donation is put into the anonymous category. And that’s why this idea that DAF donors want to be anonymous comes from. That also might be why many DAF donors don’t receive a thank you from the organization they supported.

But donation processing problems are only part of the issue.

In most cases, DAF donors have an option (opt-in) to give their gift anonymously if they want. Most don’t tick that box. Again, anonymity is usually not a reason for someone to open a DAF account.

Practical Fixes

It seems that every nonprofit fundraiser I know wants to find out how they can access the people who have DAF accounts. If you’re hoping for a master list of DAF donors to solicit, you’ll probably be disappointed. As I discussed in my book Philanthropy Revolution, most DAF sponsors aren’t in the business of getting you those names, even though many DAF donors would likely welcome communication from nonprofits they’re interested in.

But nonprofits can make themselves far easier for DAF donors to support and here are some quick and simple ways to do just that:

1. Be sure to have clear messaging on your giving page(s) that clearly states, “we welcome DAF gifts” (or something similar).

2. DAF donors only need a few pieces of information to fill out their forms to request a donation be sent: they need your Tax ID#s, your mailing address, and ideally, a contact person and phone number for your organization.

3. Do not force donors to call or email you to get the information above. That’s unnecessary friction, and donors will move on.

4. When a donor wants to advise a donation from their DAF fund, they need to fill in the registered name of the nonprofit, and, ideally, that nonprofit’s address, phone number and contact person. But what happens when a donor sees 12 organizations that sound like the one they want to do donate to? How do they know which one to choose? (Hint: this is where it’s critical to have the correct information on your website/solicitations. But read on.)

5. If the information - especially the nonprofit’s name - is different on the solicitation materials than it is in the pop-up database, or if the address is in a different city than the donors through the nonprofit was based in, the donor might bail on the whole thing. Donors need to trust who they’re giving to (or advising on giving to) and if it’s going to take time to figure which of the 12 names is the correct one, they’re likely to give up. Will they call the number on the website or send an email? Usually not. This is an example of unnecessary difficulty - or friction - that will drive a donor away. So nonprofits need to ensure their organization’s information is current in the Guidestar/Candid database and clearly accessible on your website and any of your solicitation materials.

At APF ICON, I ended up meeting three wonderful fundraisers who had been in the DAF session, and we decided to do a test. (I wanted to demonstrate how quickly a DAF gift can be made from a phone.) Each of the three fundraisers, one at a time, gave me the name of their nonprofit. For the first fundraiser, at least a dozen similarly named organizations appeared. When we found the correct one (legal name vs. name actually used), I was not able to confirm that we had the correct one because the address and contact person were incorrect.

Tools/Platforms

If this still feels overwhelming, there are tools that can help. With the dramatic growth of DAFs in the US (and abroad!), several companies have entered the sector to facilitate DAF giving, and even though it won’t fix everything I’ve listed above, it will definitely help to make your DAF acceptance program easier and frictionless for you, the nonprofit. These include: Chariot/DAFpay, DAF Direct, Daffy, DAFwidget (from MarketSmart), and DAFtech, among others. In addition, many of the existing donation processing platforms have or are incorporating DAF functionality into their product. Note that these don’t all address the same customer or issues, but the good news is that there are options out there.

None of these fixes are especially difficult. But together, they can dramatically reduce friction for donors who are already inclined to support your organization. As DAF giving continues to grow, nonprofits that make the process easy will have a clear advantage.

I hope this was helpful. There’s a lot of info out there about this subject and the best way to understand the mysterious world of DAFs is simply to open your own account. In the meantime, here’s a great article from National Philanthropic Trust on DAFs that’s well worth reading. It’s also definitely worth checking out the great reports from Chariot, and hot off the press is a new report from the Donor Research Collaborative.

Final note: I and my family (including kids) have had our own DAF accounts for about 15 years. If you want to know about my personal experience with DAFs (as a donor), ping me here. Once we hear from you, we’ll be sending you a free gift.

See you in the next edition of Burning Questions.

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Inspired by Fahrenheit 451, the classic novel about a world where books are burned to suppress ideas, Philanthropy 451 is about igniting the opposite — sparking bold conversations in a field that too often avoids them. Philanthropy shouldn’t be on fire for the wrong reasons; it should be burning with curiosity, honesty, and change. This newsletter is a place to challenge assumptions, question outdated norms, and reimagine what giving can be when we’re not afraid to turn up the heat.

Not a premium subscriber yet? We hope you will consider joining us. Upgrade your subscription now to join the next Power Hour and gain access to all premium content!

Premium subscribers are invited to our exclusive monthly Power Hour, where I lead thought-provoking discussions with industry leaders on the most pressing topics in giving today. These interactive Zoom sessions are your chance to connect, learn, and collaborate with like-minded changemakers.

Thank you to everyone who has joined us as a premium subscriber! Your support makes it possible to dive deeper into the conversations shaping the future of philanthropy.

Subscribe now

As always, these newsletters will remain free of charge—because saving giving starts with everyone.

Thank you for being part of the revolution!

—The Saving Giving Team