National Philanthropic Trust Transitions Industry Report to Collaborative Scholars

Evolution of the DAF Report

The National Philanthropic Trust (NPT), recognized as the foremost independent charity managing donor-advised funds (DAFs) in the United States, has announced a significant transition concerning its influential annual report on DAFs. This evolution involves the transfer of the DAF Report's production to the Donor Advised Fund Research Collaborative (DAFRC). This strategic move aims to promote transparency and leverage advanced research approaches within the philanthropic sector.

For nearly two decades, the DAF Report has served as a comprehensive source of data about donor-advised funds, providing essential insights for donors, grantees, and the public. Holly Welch Stubbing, NPT's CEO, highlighted the report's pivotal role in raising awareness of the importance of DAFs in directing grants to various changemakers and nonprofits globally. Stubbing stated, "As an early pioneer in the industry, the DAF Report has greatly contributed to understanding the vital role DAFs play in philanthropy."

The DAF Report has come a long way since its inception, evolving from a manually compiled document based on hundreds of IRS tax forms to a sophisticated resource backed by a dedicated team committed to researching and publishing valuable insights. The decision to hand over the report to the DAFRC arises from the sector's growing capacity for research and the increased complexity in understanding DAFs.

Stubbing expressed confidence in this transition by stating, "The field is ready to take ownership of the report and provide more visibility and information, which makes the transfer to the DAFRC a logical step. Their expertise in extracting and publishing comprehensive data will enhance the report and keep pace with the advancements in DAFs."

Who is the DAF Research Collaborative?

The DAFRC is a coalition of academics and nonprofit researchers dedicated to conducting empirical studies that enhance public understanding of donor-advised funds. They have previously led the National Study on Donor Advised Funds, a comprehensive four-year research initiative that compiled and analyzed data not readily available through public sources. This initiative highlights their commitment to elevating the quality of information surrounding DAFs.

Dan Heist, Ph.D., co-founder of the DAFRC at Brigham Young University, expressed excitement about the upcoming changes: "We are thrilled to continue making this foundational resource available to both donors and the nonprofit sector. Our version of the report will not only provide essential baseline information but will also integrate open science principles while exploring new analyses that address pressing questions in the field."

Danielle Vance-McMullen, Ph.D., from DePaul University, reinforced this commitment to innovation, asserting, "Our aim is to evolve the DAF Report into a more insightful resource that adheres to open science principles, thus answering emerging questions and improving the overall understanding of DAFs."

Future Directions

Looking ahead, the DAFRC is actively seeking funding from a diverse array of sponsors, including NPT and other notable national DAF sponsors, as well as community foundations and leading sector organizations. The report is anticipated to be released in late 2025, with full disclosure of all contributors to the funding. This collaborative approach seeks to ensure that the DAF Report remains a vital resource for those engaged in philanthropy.

Meanwhile, NPT is not stepping back but rather diversifying its endeavors to share insights and data concerning DAFs with various stakeholders, including financial advisors, nonprofits, and donors. They will continue to uphold their expertise in DAF management and assist stakeholders in optimizing their philanthropic strategies and engagements.

Founded in 1996, the National Philanthropic Trust has since raised over $73 billion in charitable funds and awarded more than $34 billion through 870,000 grants to nonprofits worldwide. As the landscape of philanthropy continues to evolve, the transition of the DAF Report to the DAFRC represents a significant step towards enhanced collaboration, transparency, and continued growth in the understanding and strategic utilization of Donor Advised Funds.

Learn more about their initiatives at NPTrust.org and DAFResearchCollaborative.org.