> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://advisorguide.charityvest.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://advisorguide.charityvest.org/about-donor-advised-funds.md).

# Why donor-advised funds

DAFs are quickly becoming the preferred way to give. Over 25% of all charitable dollars now flow through DAFs each year. Given their advantages, it’s no surprise.

Donor-advised funds are a powerful giving vehicle that can help your clients: 

* Optimize their tax deductions
* Receive tax benefits from donation of appreciated assets
* Grow their charitable balance tax-free 

As a trusted stakeholder in your clients' financial journey, you have the power to invite your clients into a richer philanthropic life through your custom giving program.

## Client-facing collateral

We recommend leveraging this 2-Pager with clients as collateral to help you introduce them to your firm's custom giving program:

{% file src="/files/8y2vk0VZTTnDMlR9ENTH" %}

## How to explain donor-advised funds to your clients

{% embed url="<https://vimeo.com/898380937/5041b1cc0a?share=copy>" %}

Though Charityvest for Advisors has been designed with simplicity in mind, this may be the first time that some of your clients are encountering the concept of donor-advised funds.

Generally speaking, though donor-advised funds are a powerful strategic giving tool, they can be challenging to describe.

A donor-advised fund is a tax-deductible financial account for giving. A phrase we like to use to help people understand them is *"it's like a 401k, but for giving".*

{% hint style="success" %}
**Wondering how to talk about DAFs without saying "DAFs"?**

We recommend you initially explain the concept of donor-advised funds to your clients so that they understand the legal structure of their donor-advised fund account. However, for some clients, it may be beneficial to refer to their DAF as a "giving account".  Throughout this guide, we will use "donor-advised fund" and "giving account" interchangeably.
{% endhint %}

## Educational resources

When approaching your clients with your firm's custom giving program, we recommend these [resources](/about-donor-advised-funds/daf-educational-resources.md) to help explain what donor-advised funds are and how they can help clients achieve their ambitions of generosity:

* [Giving quiz](/about-donor-advised-funds/daf-educational-resources.md#educational-quiz) to connect your client's giving situation to the implementation of a donor-advised fund.
* [Informational videos](/about-donor-advised-funds/daf-educational-resources.md#informational-videos) that break down complex aspects of donor-advised funds by topic.
* [Learning center](/about-donor-advised-funds/daf-educational-resources.md#charityvest-learn-center) with collections of articles that detail best practices around purposeful giving.
* [Definitive DAF Guide](/about-donor-advised-funds/daf-educational-resources.md#daf-guide) that offers a comprehensive explanation of donor-advised funds.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Curious to learn more about your firm's custom DAF program?** Contact your firm's program manager for program-related matters or Charityvest (<support@charityvest.org>) for platform-related matters.
{% endhint %}


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