In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Dr. Dan Heist, assistant professor at BrighamYoung University and co-founder of the Donor Advised Fund Research Collaborative,shares research-driven insight into how donors actually use donor-advised funds.Drawing on original data, he explains the trade-offs between DAFs and privatefoundations, addressing questions of donor control, administrative efficiency,transparency and payout behavior. The conversation moves beyond headlines to clarifywhy DAFs continue to grow and how donor intent operates within these vehicles.Hosted by Dr. Stuart Gulley, the episode offers practical guidance for nonprofit leadersseeking to better understand and steward DAF dollars. Dan introduces three distinctdonor patterns – tubs, tanks and towers – and explains how each behaves differently interms of timing, payout and engagement. He outlines concrete strategies for identifyingDAF donors, tracking them effectively and tailoring cultivation and solicitationapproaches accordingly, while also addressing policy and perception shifts likely toinfluence DAFs in the years ahead.