5 Reasons You Haven’t Received a DAF Gift

Unlike traditional donors, DAF donors don’t pull out their credit cards. Instead, they log into their DAF portal, search for a nonprofit, and recommend a grant. 

If they can’t find you quickly or run into obstacles, they’ll give to another organization.

One of the key drivers of getting funded from DAFs is networking with donors. However in instances were the donors are unknown to you, there is no opportunity for networking and the only way to access DAFs is by positioning your organization to get found and funded.

Here are five common reasons why your organization may not be positioned to found and funded—and how to fix them:

1) Donors Don’t See DAFs as an Option

If you don’t explicitly mention DAFs in your fundraising materials, donors may assume you don’t accept them. 

Make DAFs as visible as checks and credit cards. Add “Give through your Donor-Advised Fund” to your website, donation page, and appeals to remove any doubt. If donors have to guess, they’ll move on.

2) Your Organization Name Doesn’t Match IRS Records

DAF platforms pull information from IRS records to verify nonprofits. If a donor searches for your organization and the name doesn’t match exactly, they may hit a dead end. Most won’t take extra steps to figure it out—they’ll simply choose another nonprofit.

To prevent this, ensure your nonprofit’s legal name matches IRS records and is consistently listed across commonly searched databases like Candid, etc. If you frequently use a different name in marketing, consider listing both the legal name and the commonly used name on your website.

3) Your Tax ID (EIN) Isn’t Readily Available

Many DAF donors enter a nonprofit’s Employer Identification Number (EIN) to ensure they’re giving to the right organization, especially if there are nonprofits with similar names. If your EIN isn’t on your website or donation page, they may abandon their gift. 

The quick fix is to add your EIN to your “Ways to Give” or donation page. 

Example: "Tax ID (EIN): 12-3456789. Use this to recommend a grant from your DAF."

This small addition can make a big difference.

4) You Don’t Offer a Convenient Giving Option on Your Website

DAF donors expect a smooth process. If they have to figure out how to donate on their own, many will lose interest.

One of the simplest ways to make DAF giving easier? Use the free DAF Direct widget.

DAF Direct allows donors to give from Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, and BNY Mellon Charitable with just a few clicks. Instead of navigating to their DAF portal separately, they can initiate the gift directly from your site.

If you don’t have it embedded, you’re asking donors to do extra work—and many won’t. You can get the free widget here.

5) Your Nonprofit Profile Is Incomplete or Outdated

Many DAF donors research nonprofits before giving, using platforms like Candid (GuideStar), and Charity Navigator. If your profile is missing key details—such as your mission, leadership team, impact metrics, or financials—donors may hesitate and move on.

A strong, updated profile builds trust and credibility. Make sure yours includes:
✅ Your mission statement and programs
✅ Updated leadership and board information
✅ Recent financials and impact reports
✅ A clear “Ways to Give” section with DAF details

This not only helps DAF donors but also builds trust with corporate sponsors, major donors, and foundations.

Get your profile updated and increase your visibility in 21 days.

How Many of These Are Creating Friction for Your Donors?

DAF donors want to give. The easier you make it, the more likely they are to support your nonprofit. But every extra step, missing detail, or point of confusion increases the chance they’ll donate elsewhere.

Take a few minutes today to remove these barriers and position your nonprofit for more DAF gifts!