Episode #103 | Unlocking Donor Advised Funds with Chariot's Mitch Stein

Jan 21, 2026

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In this episode we explore donor-advised funds (DAFs) with Mitch Stein, head of strategy at Chariot. Mitch explains how DAFs work as tax-advantaged accounts where donors commit funds irrevocably to charity. He challenges the notion that DAFs hoard money, noting they actually encourage more generous giving, with donors increasing their gift sizes by an average of 10 times once they start using DAFs.

We also look at practical solutions through Chariot's DAFpay technology, which integrates directly into donation platforms to allow instant gift completion. Traditional DAF processes can create friction at fundraising events, sometimes resulting in losses from unfulfilled pledges. Mitch’s key advice is for nonprofits to educate their teams and incorporate DAF language into all communications. Tune in to get the full rundown on DAFs and how you can powerfully integrate them into your fundraising.

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This Episode Brought to You by:

Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com

Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.

The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/

As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.

Bloomerang: https://bit.ly/4hLqLVw

Create the ideal giving experience with integrated fundraising tools and automated insights that maximize your impact. Keep donors close to the cause with mean-ingful outreach at the right time. Increase retention, major gifts, and all-around impact. Turn supporters into action-takers with tools that make it easy to recruit, organize, and engage volunteers at every level.

Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/

Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click.

Speakers

Samantha Swaim

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/

Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies

Kristin Steele

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/

Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies

Mitch Stein

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitch-stein/

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