Episode overview
Are donor‑advised funds holding money hostage — or are they one of the most powerful tools in the charitable sector?
In this episode of The Shared Brain Podcast, we tackle the biggest concerns about DAFs and explore how charities can turn them into real opportunities.
Senior Consultants Jill Nelson and Peter McKinley from Global Philanthropic Canada dig into questions around disbursement quotas, endowments, anonymity, and whether DAFs actually divert money away from frontline charities.
Drawing on decades of experience in gift planning, prospect research, and major campaigns, they unpack the misconceptions that make fundraisers uneasy about DAFs — and outline practical ways to engage this fast‑growing source of revenue.
Whether you’re a fundraising professional, nonprofit leader, or board member trying to make sense of the changing giving landscape, this episode will challenge assumptions and offer concrete next steps for your DAF strategy.
In this episode, Jill and Peter cover:
What the disbursement quota actually is in Canada — and how it applies to DAFs, endowments, and other long‑term funds.
How DAFs differ from traditional endowments, including when capital can be spent down versus held in perpetuity.
Why anonymity is often misunderstood, and how charities can still steward DAF donors and build relationships, even when gifts are routed through a sponsoring organization.
How charities and DAF sponsors can collaborate so smaller organizations can accept complex gifts like insurance policies, private shares, or other non‑cash assets.
Why DAFs are not “the enemy,” and how they may actually help broaden which charities benefit from large, tax‑driven gifts over time.
The case for every charity developing a proactive strategy for DAFs, rather than treating them as an unpredictable add‑on to regular fundraising.
This is Part 2 of our donor‑advised funds series, focusing on addressing concerns and finding opportunities for charities in Canada.
Featured Speakers
Peter McKinley is a Senior Consultant with Global Philanthropic Canada’s Ontario team, bringing nearly 30 years of experience in non-profit management and fundraising across post-secondary education and health care. A pioneer in prospect research and donor pipeline development, Peter built the donor pipeline from scratch at the Ivey Business School at Western — providing critical strategic support for the $78 million Ivey Campaign, the largest single faculty campaign of its time in Canada — and helped drive the $90 million Bold New Brock Campaign at Brock University. He holds a Master of Library and Information Science and a Bachelor of Honours History from Western University, developed a ground-breaking graduate-level course on prospect research and fundraising, and is co-author of the Globe and Mail bestselling book Excellence in Fundraising in Canada. Fun fact: Peter welcomes any major snowfall — snow means snowshoeing!
Jill Nelson is a Senior Consultant with Global Philanthropic Canada, bringing over 30 years of fundraising experience specializing in strategic gift planning, legacy marketing, estate administration, and donor stewardship. Known for demystifying gift planning and coaching Boards and staff on integrated programs that lift all revenue streams, Jill spent 18 years as Associate Vice President, Estates and Gift Planning at The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation and has held senior roles at the Canadian Cancer Society and Canadian Paraplegic Association. A dedicated leader in the growth of gift planning in Canada, she has served as CAGP faculty, speaker, and board director, and was honoured with the “Friend of CAGP” award (2014) and the inaugural “CAGP GTA Icon Award” (2024). Fun fact: Jill launched her career as a travel escort, leading groups across England, Scotland, Bermuda, Ontario, and Newfoundland. Book a call with Jill today
Listen on Your Preferred Platform
The Shared Brain Podcast™ from Global Philanthropic Canada features conversations on Canadian philanthropy, fundraising strategy, and nonprofit leadership. Episodes share practical insights, real-world success stories, and best practices to help mission-driven organizations grow their impact.
