DAF Gifts: Why “Eventually” Isn’t Good Enough

When donors give from their Donor-Advised Funds, timing matters more than you think. Here’s why none of us should settle for delayed dollars.

When a donor recommends a grant from their Donor-Advised Fund (DAF), nonprofits should receive those funds as soon as possible. In theory, it should be simple: a donor makes a recommendation, and the money arrives promptly to support that mission.

In reality? It’s rarely that smooth.

Too often, DAF gifts take several weeks to arrive. Between administrative reviews, processing queues, and reliance on mailing physical checks, there can be a significant lag from the moment a donor makes a gift to the moment a nonprofit sees a dollar of it.

You might be thinking: “Okay, so it’s a few weeks. We’ll get the money eventually. What’s the big deal?”

But when timing is everything—when moments of need or opportunity are fleeting—that delay can make all the difference. Here are three real-world scenarios where “eventually” just doesn’t cut it:

1. Crisis Response Delayed is Help Denied

Imagine a donor hears about a wildfire sweeping through Southern California. Moved to act, they recommend a grant from their DAF to a local nonprofit delivering food to evacuees. But their DAF provider takes a full week to approve the request and sends a paper check via snail mail.

By the time the funds arrive, the food program is over. The nonprofit never knew the money was coming, and they couldn’t scale their efforts when it mattered most. The donor intended to support crisis response—but in the end, their gift wasn’t utilized for the crisis at all. It’s a missed opportunity for everyone.

Expectation

Reality

2. Missing the Moment on Giving Day

Picture this: it’s your university’s Giving Day, and an enthusiastic alum from the Class of ’97 wants to help their class top the leaderboard. They make a generous gift through their DAF to boost participation and unlock a class-based challenge gift.

But because their DAF provider takes two weeks to process and send the donation, it misses the Giving Day window entirely. The class falls short of their goal, and the donor misses out on the celebration. Instead of feeling part of something exciting and immediate, they’re left disappointed and disconnected.

Expectation

Reality

3. When Matching Gifts Don’t Match

Consider a local animal shelter running a one-day campaign: all donations will be tripled thanks to a 3:1 match from a corporate sponsor. A passionate supporter sees this as a huge opportunity and makes a sizable gift through their DAF.

Unfortunately, the funds don’t arrive until long after the match deadline. The gift doesn’t qualify, and the donor’s impact is reduced. The shelter misses out on extra funding. What should have been a big win turns into a lose-lose situation.

Expectation

Reality

So, What’s the Fix?

These scenarios aren’t rare exceptions—they’re common frustrations. And they all boil down to the same core problem: DAF gifts arrive too slowly.

Nonprofits can’t afford to wait. Whether it’s disaster relief, a time-bound campaign, or an opportunity to secure matching funds, delays in DAF disbursements can cost your organization money, momentum, and donor trust.

Once a DAF gift is made, your nonprofit deserves those funds right away—not eventually, not next week, but ASAP.

Fortunately, there's a better way.

Introducing a Faster Future for DAF Gifts

Chariot has developed a new solution that addresses this very issue—because we believe generosity shouldn’t be held up by bureaucracy.

Join us on April 30th at 11am ET to learn how Chariot is helping DAF gifts be sent and received faster and more efficiently. We’ll show you how our brand-new platform eliminates delays, removes uncertainty, and helps you make the most of every donor’s intention—when it matters most.

Register Now

Even if you can’t make it live, all registrants will get a recording and recap mailed to you afterward. 

Don’t Let Time Be the Enemy of Impact

DAFs are a powerful tool for modern philanthropy, but their potential is often hampered by slow and outdated systems. It doesn’t have to be this way. You shouldn’t have to guess when—or if—a donor’s gift will show up. And your supporters shouldn’t miss out on the joy of seeing their contributions make a timely impact.

With the right tools, you can ensure DAF donations are not only generous but also timely. Let’s stop settling for “eventually.”

Join us on April 30th. Let’s make “ASAP” the new standard for DAF gifts.