Let's Talk DAFs

The Rise of the Philanthropic Advisor Entrepreneur

On this week’s episode Ron Ransom is joined by Dien Yuen, CEO of Daylight, to define what a philanthropic advisor is, what it takes to be a philanthropic advisor entrepreneur, and the influence these advisors bring to the industry. Dien explains that wealth advisors are hitting a point where, “they bring in someone like a philanthropic advisor entrepreneur to help the wealth advisor dig deeper into client values and conversations.” Listen in as they discuss why philanthropic advisor entrepreneurs could be a gateway not only to greater philanthropic giving, but also to deeper advisor–client relationships. Let’s talk the rise of the philanthropic advisor entrepreneur. Let’s talk DAFs.

Institutionally Empowered Tactics and Strategies

Ron is joined by Karen Heath Wade, Chief Business Development Officer from AEF, to discuss Institutionally Empowered Tactics and Strategies. Karen discusses not only how DAFs are transforming philanthropy, but how that philanthropic transformation is happening. As Karen puts it, “It's really advisor led, values aligned, and then technologically enabled and technologically adaptable.”  They cover everything from an advisor-led, value-aligned approach to how the industry is adapting to new technologies. The tactics are changing, the strategies are evolving, and Karen and Ron sit down to discuss it all. Let’s talk institutionally empowered tactics and strategies. Let’s talk DAFs.

Innovation and the Evolution of Charitable Impact

Ron Ransom sits down with Amanda Brown Lierman, Vice President of Policy, Engagement, and Impact at GoFundMe to discuss everyday generosity and GoFundMe’s real-time giving philosophy.   The two of them dive into what drives younger donors, how early giving behaviors that often evolve into long-term philanthropy, and why Millennials and Gen Z are shaping giving patterns. She also highlights GoFundMe’s Giving Funds.    GoFundMe is also offering listeners of Let’s Talk DAFs a chance to open their own Giving Fund. For the first 100 people who open a Giving Fund and add $25 or more to their Giving Fund, GoFundMe will add an additional $25 to that Giving Fund. If you have a Giving Fund but have never contributed into it, you can also participate. The deadline for this incentive is May 15, 2026. To get this incentive, go to this link [https://www.gofundme.com/c/tax-calculator?utm_term=ltdaf] to start your Giving Fund.   Plus, here's access to GoFundMe's Year In Help Report [https://www.gofundme.com/c/gofundme-2025-year-in-help] that Amanda mentions in the episode.   Let’s talk the innovation and the evolution of charitable impact. Let’s talk DAFs.

Compilation: Episodes 12-14

Episodes 12, 13, and 14 are available as one episode. Relisten or listen for the first time. Ron Ransom is joined by Stephen Kump (Foundation Source) to discuss turnkey DAF options, Erinn Andrews (GiveTeam) to talk causes donors care about most, and Carlos Pena (Doctors Without Borders) reveals the global impact DAFs make.

Special Edition - Unlocking Generosity: The New White Paper from AEF (ft. Christine Gaze)

AEF partnered with Purpose Consulting Group, a leading practice management consulting firm, to release—Unlocking Generosity: The Advisor’s Role in Inspiring Purpose and Impact—a comprehensive white paper exploring the evolving role of advisors in charitable planning.   In this special episode, Ron reconnects with Christine Gaze, founder and managing partner of Purpose Consulting Group, for an in-depth conversation about the research behind the paper and what it means for advisors today. Together, they unpack how advisors can close the engagement gap in philanthropy, apply practical strategies to client conversations, and leverage real-world examples to inspire more intentional, outcome-driven giving. Tune in to hear key insights from the research, then visit aefimpact.org/report [https://aefimpact.org/report] to download the full white paper. Let’s talk about unlocking generosity. Let’s talk DAFs.