Do Donor-Advised Funds Require Regulatory Attention? (Summer 2018)

Donor-advised funds have been around for a half-century, but until commercial financial firms began playing the part of sponsors, DAFs were largely uncontroversial. Now, DAFs are in direct competition with community foundations, and tensions are erupting. The problem is, DAFs do not operate in a transparent manner yet are afforded tax deductions. And this, writes Nonprofit Quarterly editor in chief Ruth McCambridge, “raises questions about accountability and access.” by Ruth McCambridge