DAFdayCLT
You already gave it away.
Now put it to work.
One week. One call to action: make a grant from your donor-advised fund (DAF).
Drone Video & images: Jeremy Wallace / So What Do You Do Now?
$326B
Total undeployed DAF assets nationwide
Oct. 8, 2026
DAFdayCLT
Thousands
of Organizations to Support
The Basics
What Is a Donor-Advised Fund?
A Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) is a private giving account managed by a public charity, often described as a charitable checking account. Here's how it works:
You contribute cash, securities, or other assets to your DAF and receive an immediate tax deduction.
Your contribution grows tax-free over time (you can even invest it!).
You recommend grants to your favorite nonprofits whenever you're ready.
The beauty of a DAF is that you get the tax benefit right away, but you have the flexibility to support organizations over time as you see their impact unfold. It's strategic giving that works with your financial planning.
DAFs are one of the fastest-growing philanthropic tools in the country. The challenge? Too many sit undeployed. DAFdayCLT wants to change that.
About the Movement
What Is DAFdayCLT?
Approximately $326 billion has accumulated in Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) across America, all earmarked for philanthropy. That's a lot of good waiting on the sidelines!
DAFday was created in 2024 by Chariot (a fintech platform modernizing DAF giving) to encourage DAF donors to put those charitable dollars to work by recommending grants from their DAFs to the nonprofits and causes they care about most. The goal? To unlock those billions of dollars and turn them into the active support communities need, right now.
DAFdayCLT (Oct. 8, 2026) is Charlotte's local call to action, bringing together hundreds of North and South Carolina nonprofits, private and public foundations, wealth managers, family offices and other DAF sponsors to educate DAF holders on community needs and encourage them to give from their funds the week of October 5, 2026.
DAFdayCLT exists to help nonprofits maximize the impact of Donor-Advised Funds. Think of it as a collective moment when people who care about making a difference come together to activate the charitable funds they've set aside throughout the year.
Whether you've been making grants from your DAF for years, or you're newly inspired to, DAFdayCLT is an opportunity to be part of something bigger. When thousands of people activate their charitable giving on the same day, it creates a shared moment for bigger, better giving, and sends a powerful message to our nonprofit community, recognizing their work as critical to the health, safety and prosperity of our region and beyond.
You already gave it away. Now put it to work for CLT nonprofits!
Why Should You Participate?
What we do today will shape the Charlotte of tomorrow.
For DAF Donors & Influencers
Give from your DAF! Don't let all the good that money can do today sit on the sidelines. Share with your DAF-holding network: your peers, friends, neighbors, financial advisor, and/or family office may want to participate too.
For Nonprofits
Share DAFdayCLT with your full donor base! DAF donors tend to make larger gifts, and chances are there are some in your donor base. Promote to your audience: social media, newsletters, volunteers. DAF holders who aren't yet donors may become one!
For Financial Advisors
DAFdayCLT gives you a natural, timely touchpoint to engage your DAF-holding clients around charitable giving, deepening relationships while making a real difference in the community.
For Nonprofits
Reach Donor-Advised Fund Donors
DAFdayCLT is an opportunity to share your organization's needs directly with DAF holders, donors who have money already earmarked for philanthropy, and who on average make larger charitable gifts than non-DAF holders.
DAF grants tend to be larger than other donations, and targeting these donors could be one of the highest-ROI moves your organization makes this year.
Your Call to Action
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Make sure your donors know you accept DAF grants
Communicate to your donors how to make a DAF grant to your organization. Some of your existing donors hold DAFs and may give at a higher level.
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Promote across all channels
Social media, newsletters, volunteers. The wider net you cast, the more DAF holders you may reach.
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Don't serve the Greater Charlotte area?
Plug into the national movement at dafday.com.
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Planning to participate?
Let us know! We want to amplify your needs.
For Financial Professionals & DAF Sponsors
Help Your Clients Put Their DAFs to Work
If you manage or advise DAF accounts, DAFdayCLT is a natural touchpoint to engage your clients around charitable giving -- and to deepen your relationships by connecting them to causes they care about in Charlotte.
Wealth managers and family offices play a critical role: educate your clients on community needs and make it easy for them to recommend grants during the week of October 5, 2026.
Your Call to Action
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Educate your clients
Share DAFdayCLT with clients who hold DAFs. Many are looking for a reason to deploy funds -- give them one.
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Facilitate grant recommendations
Help clients navigate the grant recommendation process through their DAF sponsor before October 8.
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Amplify to your network
Share DAFdayCLT with peers, colleagues, and family offices across the Carolinas.
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Partner with us
Interested in a deeper partnership? Reach out -- we'd love to work with your firm.
Promotional Partners
Become a Community Partner
Does your organization work with donor-advised fund holders or support charitable giving? Help amplify DAFdayCLT by sharing the campaign through your existing communications and inspiring generosity across the Charlotte region.
Interested in joining us? We'd love to hear from you! Email: [email protected]
Media
Press & Partnerships
Covering DAFdayCLT or the DAF giving movement in Charlotte? Interested in partnering? We'd love to work with you.
Press Inquiries
For media inquiries, interview requests, or story pitches, reach out directly to our communications lead. Amy Jacobs is available for media interviews.
Contact: [email protected]
Partnership Inquiries
Interested in sponsoring, collaborating, or partnering with DAFdayCLT? We want to hear from you.
Contact: [email protected]
Want to learn more about DAFs?
National & Local DAF Sponsors
Don't have a DAF, but want to learn more? Below is a non-comprehensive list of national and local DAF providers. You can also contact your financial planner or tax advisor!
National Providers
Local Community Foundations
Faith-based Providers
Stay Informed
Ready to help put DAF dollars to work in our community?
Sign up to be added to our messaging list, where we will be sharing unique, impactful and innovative ways to put DAF capital to work in our area.