DAF Day Is October 8. Here’s Why It Matters Even If You Don’t Have a DAF.

Every year, many of us give to organizations we care about. We respond to a friend’s fundraiser, support a favorite nonprofit, give at an event, help when our community needs something or make year-end gifts to causes that matter to us.

But we don’t always stop to think about how we organize our giving.

October 8 is DAF Day, a national day focused on Donor Advised Funds and putting charitable dollars to work. For people who already have a DAF, it is a great reminder to recommend grants to the organizations and causes they care about.

But we think DAF Day is also an opportunity for a bigger conversation:

First, What Is a Donor Advised Fund?

A Donor Advised Fund, or DAF, is a charitable giving account. You make an irrevocable charitable contribution to your fund and then recommend grants to eligible nonprofits over time. Funds that aren’t immediately granted can be invested for future charitable giving.

Depending on your individual circumstances and what you contribute, there may also be tax advantages associated with the timing or form of your charitable contribution.

But taxes aren’t the only reason people use DAFs.

Sometimes it’s simply about making giving easier.

What Could That Look Like in Real Life?

Maybe you already give throughout the year.

You support the school auction, your favorite arts organization, a local food program and several other nonprofits. Then December comes and you’re trying to remember what you gave, where you gave it and whether you saved all of the acknowledgments.

A DAF gives you one place to organize your philanthropy, review your grantmaking and maintain records of the charitable contributions you make to your fund.

Or maybe something changes financially.

You receive a larger than expected bonus. You inherit money from someone you love. You sell a business, property or appreciated investment. Or you simply have an unusually high income year.

You know you want some of those resources to benefit others, but you may not be ready to decide immediately which organizations should receive them.

A DAF can allow you to commit resources to charitable purposes now and thoughtfully recommend grants over time.

That can be a good moment to ask your financial, tax or legal adviser whether a DAF should be part of your charitable planning.

Or maybe you want your giving to become more intentional.

Perhaps you’ve always supported organizations as opportunities arise, but now you want to think more deliberately about what matters to you.

You may want to involve your spouse, children or grandchildren. You may want to think about what you want your giving to accomplish over the next five, ten or twenty years.

A DAF can create a natural place to begin those conversations.

5 Signs a DAF May Be Worth Exploring

A DAF isn’t the right tool for everyone. Contributions are irrevocable and dedicated to charitable purposes. We encourage you to talk with your financial, tax or legal adviser about whether a DAF is appropriate for your individual circumstances.

Here’s Something You May Not Know: You Can Host Your DAF Right Here in Kirkland

Donor Advised Funds have deep roots in the community foundation movement, and hosting charitable funds remains an important part of what community foundations do.

That includes the Kirkland Community Foundation.

And hosting your fund here does not mean all of your giving has to stay in Kirkland.

You can recommend eligible grants to organizations here and to organizations elsewhere that matter to you.

But there is something different about having a philanthropic partner in your own community.

Maybe you care about Kirkland, but you don’t know every organization doing good work here.

You might care deeply about housing, the arts, parks and the environment, learning opportunities, human services or creating a stronger sense of connection and belonging in our community. But you may not know which organizations are working on those issues or where your giving could make a meaningful difference.

That’s where we can help.

We spend our days building relationships across Kirkland. We know nonprofits. We hear about emerging needs and new ideas. We bring people together. And when you want it, we can help connect what matters to you with opportunities to make a difference.

The giving decisions remain yours.

Sometimes you know exactly where you want your grant to go. Great.

Sometimes you want to learn what’s possible. We’re here for that, too.

Already Have a DAF? Try This on October 8.

Open your DAF account and look at the balance.

Then think about the organizations that have mattered to you this year.

• Who is doing work you want to see continue?
• Is there an organization you’ve been meaning to support but haven’t gotten around to yet?
• Is there a cause that has become more important to you this year?

Ultimately, the dollars in a DAF have already been committed to charitable purposes.

DAF Day is a good opportunity to turn some of those charitable intentions into grants.

Don’t Have a DAF? Get Curious.

You don’t need to open a DAF because it’s DAF Day.

Instead, use October 8 as an opportunity to think about your giving.

• Is it easy to manage?
• Are you giving as intentionally as you would like?
• Has something changed financially that makes this a good time to talk with your adviser?
• Would you like your family to be more involved?
• Do you want a philanthropic partner who can help you learn more about your community?

If those questions get you thinking, learn a little more.

Talk with your professional adviser.

And talk with us.

You don’t have to have your philanthropy figured out before we have a conversation.

Sometimes our most valuable role is simply helping you discover what’s possible.

The Kirkland Community Foundation does not provide financial, tax or legal advice. Please consult your professional advisers regarding your individual circumstances.

Founded in 2014, the Kirkland Community Foundation is a local community foundation supporting nonprofits across Kirkland and the Eastside. We connect donors, nonprofits, and community priorities through grants, partnerships, and local giving that strengthen our parks, people, and shared future. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 46‑4931717), we invest in thriving nonprofits, visible community impact, and trusted local leadership.