About DAF Commons

We started DAF Commons in 2026 because we saw the need for a peer to peer community of DAF holders who could support and learn from each other

Who We Are

We are a collective of DAF holders and practitioners frustrated by today’s use of DAFs, and inspired by what’s possible

Claire Raffel
Project Co-lead

Always looking for ways to make bad puns using the “AF” in DAF

Alex Hammer Ducas
Project Co-lead

Her Kindergartener already knows what a DAF is

Lily Starling Louis
Project Co-lead

Thought exclusively about DAFs while summiting Kilimajaro

Tim Freundlich
Volunteer Advisor

Long time DAF and impact investment innovator

* Note that his support is unaffiliated with ImpactAssets.

Laura Francis
Volunteer Advisor

A marine biologist and scuba diver creating an ocean ripple effect with a Multi-DAF

Katherine Katcher
Volunteer Advisor

Hacking DAFs for good trouble

Why DAF Commons

The DAF Commons project was born out of frustration with today’s use of DAFs, and a desire to build a collective space for DAF holders seeking to make material impact with their capital. DAF Commons is a shared resource, managed collectively, and in service of our shared interests as DAF holders. It serves as the connective tissue between DAF holders and DAF possibilities.

Frequently Asked Questions
This is for all DAF holders, big and small, and potential DAF holders and those looking to make a greater impact with their DAFs through investing and multi-donor initiatives.
Networks and communities of practice exist across the philanthropic and impact investing ecosystem. There is no shared space focused on DAF holders and the unique challenges and opportunities they face when deploying capital. We want to fill that gap, and provide DAF holders with a convening space to mobilize, learn and act on their DAFs.
Giving from your DAF is important, but the potential for investing is largely unrealized. We know not all DAF holders are ready to give all their capital immediately. So while it sits, we want to provide DAF holders with the tools and knowledge to invest it impactfully.
DAFs have a bad reputation for several reasons: donors get an immediate tax break but then the money just sits in a DAF, they lack transparency, their anonymity can shield bad actors, large sponsors are making too much on fees, etc. We believe both things can be true: that DAF reform is needed, AND that right now hundreds of billions are sitting in these accounts that could and should be invested for impact today.
If you’re a DAF holder, take our survey and sign up for our newsletter. If you want to submit a resource, or get your organization on the directory, shoot us an email at DAFCommons@gmail.com
We are supported by individual DAF holders and in-kind support from CataCap. If you’d like to support us with a grant or donation, shoot us an email at DAFCommons@gmail.com
No, we are sponsor agnostic and are focused on the DAF holders seeking to move their capital into alignment with their values. That said, we are fiscally sponsored by CataCap.
No, we are sponsor agnostic and are focused on the DAF holders seeking to move their capital into alignment with their values. That said, we are fiscally sponsored by CataCap.
Contact

Reach out to us at

DAFCommons@gmail.com