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DAF

Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) Professional Certificate

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Best For

Professionals in need of a deep understanding of the DAF sector.

Timing

1.5 Days

Format

Build relationships with DAF sponsors, community foundations, nonprofits, and financial professionals through in-person learning. 

Join us at The Adolphus in Dallas, TX April 8-9, 2025.

Live

Tuition

Early Bird Price: $1,200
Nonprofit Price: $1,200

Early bird pricing ends 12/6. Standard pricing will be $1,500.

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DAF Professional Certificate at a Glance

Admissions Requirements

There are no prerequisite courses required to take part in the DAF Professional Certificate Program, but you must have at least three years of experience in charitable planning or a related profession to use the certificate.

To meet the program’s requirements and receive the DAF Professional Certificate, you must:

  1. Successfully complete the in-person certificate program
  2. Agree to comply with The American College Code of Ethics and Procedures
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Tuition

Early Bird Price: $1,200

Nonprofit Price: $1,200

Early bird pricing ends 12/6. Standard pricing will be $1,500.

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Program Logistics

Attend in person and complete the comprehensive curriculum (12+ hours) over 1.5 days.

  • When: April 8 - 9, 2025 (check-in April 7)
  • Where: The Adolphus, Dallas, TX

This program features:

  • Comprehensive curriculum providing the DAF community with foundational knowledge and practical applications from an accredited institution
  • In-person learning, aimed at setting a new standard for the DAF industry by establishing a common language, competencies, governance, and practices
  • Meaningful opportunities for trust and relationship-building to strengthen the relationships between DAF sponsors, community foundations, nonprofits, and financial professionals
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What You'll Learn

Through the coverage of four principal themes including DAF Sector Fundamentals, Maximizing Opportunities to Give, Maximizing Opportunities for Impact, and Navigating Change, your learning outcomes will include:

  • The ability to apply legal and ethical standards in DAF management
  • Knowledge on how to analyze DAFs for effective philanthropic strategies
  • Applications of financial knowledge to maximize DAF impact
  • Analysis on donor motivations and asset suitability
  • Critical thinking skills to navigate DAF policy changes
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Why Become a DAF Professional?

$229B

Is the value DAF assets reached in 2022.1

21.6%

Was the average annual growth of DAF assets over the past five years.1

$86B

Were contributed to DAFs in the United States in 2022 – up $8B from 2021.1

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What The DAF Program Can Do For You

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Deepen Your Expertise

Increase DAF Impact

Amplify your insights of these powerful investment accounts to promote charitable giving and impact.

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Expand Your Network Across the Ecosystem

Build Relationship With Like-Minded Professionals

Connect with peers, including nonprofit professionals, estate planning practitioners, family offices, DAF sponsors, and other aligned experts, to uncover new ways to propel philanthropy in practice.

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Experience a One-of-a-Kind Program

Expand Your Knowledge of Charitable Giving

Take part in the only in-person certificate program from an accredited institution delivering expertise in DAFs.

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Inside the DAF Professional Certificate Program

DAF Sector Fundamentals

This theme covers:

  • Ethical considerations in DAFs
  • U.S. giving trends
  • Roles in establishing and managing DAFs 

Maximizing Opportunities to Give

This theme covers:

  • Using DAF in philanthropic strategies
  • Qualified assets in DAF
  • Grantmaking and due diligence

Maximizing Opportunities for Impact

This theme covers:

  • Financial knowledge to maximize DAF impact
  • Donor motivations and asset suitability
  • Investment strategies

Navigating Change

This theme covers:

  • Navigating DAF regulatory changes
  • Succession and transition in DAFs
  • Action planning
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FAQs

For event-related questions, please send an email to events@theamericancollege.edu.

For those traveling to Dallas, TX for the Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) Professional Certificate Program, a block of rooms has been held at The Adolphus. Please reserve your room by March 17, 2025.

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1 National Philanthropic Trust. The 2023 DAF Report. 2023.