Welcome to a fast, no-nonsense guide to unlocking the full potential of an NPT Donor-Advised Fund.
Whether you’re a donor trying to support your favorite local arts program or fund scholarships, an advisor helping a client invest for long-term impactful giving, or a nonprofit looking for insights on the donor-advised fund (DAF) ecosystem—this page gives you the quick “yes,” no,” or “maybe” you need.
We’ll break it down into three core areas: Grantmaking, Contributions, and Investments—with links to NPT’s extensive library of resources, containing insights built to take your conversations, considerations, and charitable giving to the next level.
Grantmaking: Can I Make a Grant to That?
In 2024 alone, NPT donors recommended more than 140,000 grants, totaling $5.8 billion, to nonprofits across the country and around the world. Grantmaking at this size is possible due to our flexibility. With so many options and unique situations, you may want to know—can I make a grant for that? Here are some answers to consider:
YES
…to 501(c)(3) public charities like schools, food banks, museums, and churches.
MAYBE
…to international orgs or private operating foundations—extra steps, more due diligence.
NO
…to things like tuition payments, political campaigns, event tickets, or grants to individuals.
Rule of thumb: If it benefits you or your family directly, it’s probably a no.
Quick Examples
| Can I use my DAF to... | Answer |
|---|---|
| Support my alma mater | ✅ Yes |
| Pay my child's tuition | ❌ No |
| Sponsor a gala table with dinner included | ❌ No |
| Fund a scholarship program (with guardrails) | ✅ Yes* |
| Give to an international clean water nonprofit | ✅ Yes** |
*As long as you’re not choosing individual recipients.
**Additional fees and vetting apply.
Tips and Takeaways:
- For Donors: Focus on making impactful, non-personal gifts.
→ Learn how to use GivingPoint to make recommendations anytime. - For Advisors: Confirm the nonprofit’s tax status. Avoid “split gifts.”
→ Read insights from NPT subject matter experts on split gifts, personal pledges, and more. - For Nonprofits: You can receive DAF grants—just don’t offer goods or services in return.
→ Explore a range of NPT resources available for nonprofit organizations.
Want the full list of rules? Head to the Grantmaking Rules page.
Need Strategic Support? NPT’s Philanthropic Consulting Team Can Help
For donors seeking deeper engagement, NPT’s Philanthropic Consulting Group offers personalized support and consulting services to align your grantmaking with your values and goals. Whether you’re exploring new issue areas, aiming to maximize impact, or planning a philanthropic legacy, our experts provide tailored guidance.
Services include:
Opportunity Outlines:
Customized research identifying nonprofits that match your interests.
Field Scans:
In-depth analyses of specific causes or geographies to inform your giving strategy.
Family Philanthropy Support:
Facilitating family discussions to create a unified giving approach.
Legacy Planning:
Assistance in documenting and communicating your long-term philanthropic intentions.
LEARN MORE
Contributions: Can I Donate That?
The flexibility of DAFs isn’t limited to grantmaking alone. NPT can accept a wide range of assets beyond cash. NPT DAF donors are unlocking millions in charitable capital by donating noncash, illiquid, and complex assets. The numbers back up the claim—in 2024, approximately 81% of all NPT DAF contributions came from publicly traded securities. Remember, if you have any questions or need guidance, give us a call first to help get you started.
YES
…to cash and stock.
NO
…to assets that can’t be legally transferred or liquidated.
MAYBE
…to complex or unusual assets that require additional due diligence. Think business interests, real estate, fine art—even cryptocurrency.
Wait… what do you mean by “Maybe?”
Well, to borrow a standard answer from our legal department: “It depends.”
For example, a donor who owns an interest in a privately held company may be able to contribute that interest—but only after NPT evaluates the company’s governing documents and agreements, financials, governance structure, and any transfer restrictions. In cases like this, our team will work closely with the donor and their advisors to determine if and how the asset can be accepted.
Contribution Quick Reference Guide
| Asset Type | Minimum Value | Accepted? |
|---|---|---|
| Cash or credit card | No minimum (after DAF account opening) | ✅ Yes |
| Publicly traded stock | No minimum (after DAF account opening) | ✅ Yes |
| Interest in/shares of a privately held company* | $500K+ | ✅ Yes |
| Restricted stock* | $25K+ | ✅ With review |
| Private fund investments (private equity, venture capital, hedge funds, etc.)* | $1M+ | ✅ Yes |
| Collectibles/art* | $250K+ | ✅ Yes |
| Real estate* | $2M+ | ✅ Yes |
*Subject to appraisal and acceptance.
Tips and Takeaways:
- For Donors: Diversify your impact—donate what you have, not just what’s liquid.
→ Read more on donating non-cash assets to your DAF. - For Advisors: Talk to your clients early about non-cash gifting strategies.
→ Discover how to include philanthropy in your client reviews.
→ Browse DAF Insights for Advisors, a series of blog posts on DAF strategies. - For Nonprofits: Understand that contributions to DAFs = more donor flexibility = long-term giving potential.
→ Explore NPT’s storytelling series, Grants in Action, which highlights nonprofits doing more with DAF grants.
Learn more about Contributing to Your DAF.
Investments: Can I Grow My Giving?
Absolutely. And you can do it your way. At NPT, we’ve intentionally created a flexible and open investment architecture designed to support a range of donor preferences and advisor styles. Whether the goal is simplicity through pooled investments or transparency and customization through a segregated portfolio, we have a structure that can accommodate that.
NPT offers three ways to invest:
1
Model Portfolios
(Impact, Active, Index)
2
Segregated Accounts
(if your fund is over $500K)
3
Money Market
(for shorter-term giving)
Grow Your Impact
NPT maintains a willingness to work with impact investment options. We make it easier for donors to invest with lower minimums and provide specific due diligence focused on the impact of the investment alongside the overall investment return.
Tips and Takeaways:
- For Donors: Match your investment strategy to your philanthropic goals and timeline.
- For Advisors: Help clients balance growth with grantmaking plans.
- For Nonprofits: Know that NPT donors can support your mission with mission-aligned investments.
Curious? See the Investment Descriptions and Performance report.
Bonus Round: Mythbusting
DAFs are a great option for giving, but there are some guardrails:
❌ You can’t pay a personal pledge.
❌ You can’t fund a political campaign.
❌ You can’t get perks from galas or golf outings.
❌ You can’t make gifts that benefit your family directly.
❌ You can’t reimburse yourself for previous donations.
You can support the causes you love with confidence—within the boundaries of best practices.
Pro Tip: Ask Us
Still unsure if you can use your DAF for that?
Call us at (888) 878-7900 or email npt@nptrust.org — we’re real people with a real passion for giving.
Let’s make generosity easy, flexible, and joyful.
NPT: Your partner in giving.
