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Articles by Ken Nopar
Twelve Reminders for Clients with DAF Accounts
Ken Nopar,Principal,Nopar Consulting schedule5 Min Read Most donors who’ve established donor-advised fund accounts understand how to use them to support their favorite non-profit organizations. Whether they established or funded them recently or 10 or 20 years ago, many could benefit from a reminder of how they can and should use their DAF because options and rules may have changed.
Charitable Plans Shouldn’t Be ‘Set It and Forget It’
ColumnistsGiving Many donors fail to periodically discuss or update their charitable plans or desires. Here are 10 ways advisors can help. By Ken Nopar | May 21, 2026 Linkedin X Facebook Email VK Photo by Getty Images for Unsplash+ Editor’s note: Ken Nopar is a columnist with Rethinking65. Read more of his articles here.
How to Prioritize Charitable Planning With Clients
What is the temporary “senior deduction” deduction for taxpayers age 65 and over? What is the temporary deduction for auto loan interest? What is the temporary deduction for overtime income? What is the temporary deduction for tip income? What is a high deductible health plan for purposes of an HSA? Are remote workers eligible for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)?
Navigating Charitable Giving in Unchartered Waters
Editor’s note: Ken Nopar is a columnist for Rethinking65. Read more of his articles here. Although the amount of annual charitable giving by Americans has declined only several times over the past 40 years in spite of economic downturns, market turbulence and world events, this year may be different. In the past, markets have recovered, turmoil has eased, and donors have continued to give generously to their favorite causes and organizations.
Ken Nopar | WealthManagement.com
Ken Nopar is the senior philanthropic advisor for the American Endowment Foundation, the country’s leading independent donor-advised fund since 1993 with over $6 billion in assets. AEF works with donors and their wealth, legal and tax advisors in all 50 states.
When Clients Consider Leaving a Charitable Legacy
While some clients decide when they are younger that they want to make significant contributions to charity during their lifetimes or at death, many come to this realization later in life when they are retired and feel financially secure. Advisors can play a crucial role by helping them to determine: How much they can give. When they can donate. Which assets they should contribute and from which sources. If retirement assets should be passed down to heirs or donated to charity.
5 Groups That Benefit From Donor-Advised Funds
Commentary March 18, 2024 at 05:03 PM Share & Print What You Need to Know The accounts facilitate a wide range of philanthropic behavior. Donors know that they will receive the greatest tax benefit possible when contributing simple assets like cash or stock. DAFs can help ease the year-end charitable planning rush advisors face. As more donor-advised fund accounts have been created over the past decade, a growing consensus has emerged that many parties benefit from them.
Two Reasons Why It's a Critical Time to Discuss Charitable Planning
Now’s one of the most critical times in recent history to discuss charitable planning with clients. Fortunately, wealthy clients continue to provide significant donations to charities. Still, the number of households that give to charity has decreased from two-thirds at the beginning of the 21st century to only one-half 20 years later.
Two Reasons Why It's a Critical Time to Discuss Charitable Planning
And the four client types that stand to benefit most. Ken Nopar, Senior Philanthropic Advisor Now’s one of the most critical times in recent history to discuss charitable planning with clients. Fortunately, wealthy clients continue to provide significant donations to charities. Still, the number of households that give to charity has decreased from two-thirds at the beginning of the 21st century to only one-half 20 years later.
Now Is the Chance to Donate
At this time of year, it is hard to escape the requests for charitable donations that we receive in the mail, in social and traditional media, and on our home and cell phones. Charities we’ve contributed to previously as well as those we’ve never heard of reach out to us. Why? Because these appeals work, as many organizations receive as much as 30% of their annual donations during December.
Encourage Clients to Open DAF Accounts Before It’s Too Late
Skip navigation Recent Recent Featured John Lund/Stone/Getty Images Though advisors have opened numerous donor-advised fund (DAF) accounts for clients in the past 10 years, some of these same advisors are frustrated that others haven’t yet opened accounts even though these would be in their best interests. Last week, an advisor asked me for advice so he could convince some of his charitably-minded clients to open DAFs because they have been reluctant in the past.
Encourage Clients to Open DAF Accounts Before It’s Too Late
Ken Nopar, Senior Philanthropic Advisor Though advisors have opened numerous donor-advised fund (DAF) accounts for clients in the past 10 years, some of these same advisors are frustrated that others haven’t yet opened accounts even though these would be in their best interests. Last week, an advisor asked me for advice so he could convince some of his charitably-minded clients to open DAFs because they have been reluctant in the past.
Avoid Year-End Stress: Discuss Charitable Giving With Clients Now Original
4. DAF contributions. If clients have opened a DAF and made numerous or substantial grants from the DAF, should they make additional contributions to their account? Did clients bunch contributions to their DAF several years ago, and is it time to do that again? 5. Are clients interested in reviewing their charitable intentions in their estate plans?
The Conversation That Can’t Wait: Charitable Planning
Last week, a financial advisor called to discuss her older client whose husband had recently died. The widow had plenty of assets and no children, and the advisor wanted some input about how to talk with her client about leaving money to charity. Fortunately, the client is still sharp and interested and will be able to make wise decisions with the advisor. An example of when it’s too late occurred a dozen years ago when I was working for a philanthropic advisory firm.
Why DAFs Appeal to Childless Clients
Many recent studies and articles have indicated that fewer people are getting married or having children. Pew Research Center surveys have shown that 44% of nonparents between the ages of 18 and 49 are “not too or not at all likely” they will have children, while 38% of adults between ages 25 and 54 are “unpartnered” (not married or living together). Advisors are already aware that an increasing number of their clients and prospects aren’t married or don’t have children.
Selecting DAF Sponsors for Seniors: 12 Considerations
Donor-advised funds are not all created equal. Help clients select one that best suits their goals. As donor-advised funds (DAF) have become more and more popular, the average age for clients to open them has continued to drop. Twenty years ago, most donors who established DAF accounts had already retired.
Charitable Giving, Looking Back and Forward
Advisor Perspectives welcomes guest contributions. The views presented here do not necessarily represent those of Advisor Perspectives. Donors were again very generous in their support of their favorite charities in 2022 despite inflation and poor performance across the financial markets. A recent report by the Fundraising Effectiveness Project, however, showed that fewer people made donations in the first nine months of the year, which continued a trend in recent years.
When Donors and Their Children Have Different Charitable Goals
Most donors who establish donor-advised fund (DAF) accounts typically select an heir or other family member to be the successor advisor to the account after their deaths. This can ensure that the family’s tradition of giving continues and can help in keeping the family united. It is always beneficial when the donor-advisors and successor-advisors discuss the account before any transition so the family philanthropy can seamlessly continue.
The Importance of Professional Asset Management in DAF Accounts
The 1 million donor-advised fund accounts (DAFs) in the country come in many shapes and sizes. Some donors have contributed millions to their accounts with DAF sponsors, yet far more have donated tens or hundreds of thousands. The minimum amounts required to open have been reduced to zero at some commercial DAF sponsors and community foundations, so some donors establish them purely for the convenience of making their smaller donations through the DAF sponsors.
5 Steps for Advisors to Get Started With Charitable Planning
What You Need to Know Advisors who discuss charitable planning often develop deeper relationships with their clients and their clients’ spouses and heirs. Even advisors who are not experts in charitable planning themselves can help their clients in a number of ways. Advisors should be comfortable in determining which method of giving would be most appropriate for different clients.
Direct Charitable Donations vs. Donor-Advised Funds: Which Should You Choose?
What You Need to Know Clients who donate solely through QCDs or worry about running out of assets should stick with direct donations. Clients who want to donate illiquid assets or make grants over time can benefit from DAFs. Even when clients give directly, advisors can counsel them to donate tax-advantaged assets.
DAFs Invaluable During Market Downturns
Whenever there is volatility in the markets, non-profit organizations become concerned that donations will drop. This is again the case this year, and their concern will increase especially if markets have not yet recovered before the busiest giving season at the end of the year.
Questions For Clients About Charitable Giving
In recent years, advisors have discussed charitable planning with clients more frequently than ever before. The Covid pandemic has caused many wealthy clients to increase their giving, as charities are in greater need of support, while at the same time, the donors' investment portfolios have grown substantially. Clients have sought the advice of their advisors because tax law changes and proposals make them question whether there is a better way to give.
Charitable Planning Conversations with Clients in Down Markets
The 2020 Lilly School of Philanthropy study indicated that 90% of wealthy people donated to charity in the previous year. During the crises of the past few years, most clients maintained, and many increased, their giving in response to significant needs.
Alternatives for Firms With Private-Label DAFs
What You Need to Know Clients have become aware of different DAF options since DAFs have become so popular and widespread. If offered only a firm's private-label DAF, some clients may open DAF accounts elsewhere, eliminating their advisors’ ability to manage the assets. Many donors don't want others, including nonprofits, to know which firm or institution manages their investments.
Why Some Advisors Establish Donor-Advised Funds Now and Fund Later
For these reasons, nearly 20% of all DAF accounts established at the American Endowment Foundation last year were placeholder funds. If clients indicate that they may open a DAF account in a year or two, a placeholder fund is not appropriate, But if the funding will take place in the next several weeks or months, this can be a wonderful solution and save much time and frustration later.
How Charitable Planning Helps Retain Clients
Build deeper connections by demonstrating that you’re interested in the family and its philanthropic goals Ken Nopar | Mar 16, 2022 There’ve been numerous articles in recent years about the number of heirs and spouses who change financial advisors and firms after the deaths of the parents or the wife or husband who was the primary wealth creator. Various studies have shown that roughly 70% of widows and 90% of children leave after the estate is settled.
Questions For Clients About Charitable Giving
In recent years, advisors have discussed charitable planning with clients more frequently than ever before. The Covid pandemic has caused many wealthy clients to increase their giving, as charities are in greater need of support, while at the same time, the donors' investment portfolios have grown substantially. Clients have sought the advice of their advisors because tax law changes and proposals make them question whether there is a better way to give.
Questions To Ask Clients About Their Charitable Giving
In recent years, advisors have discussed charitable planning with clients more frequently than ever before. The Covid pandemic has caused many wealthy clients to increase their giving, as charities are in greater need of support, while at the same time, the donors’ investment portfolios have grown substantially. Clients have sought the advice of their advisors because tax law changes and proposals make them question whether there is a better way to give.
Selecting and Evaluating DAF Sponsors
Since some sponsors target clients directly, it is important that advisors help their clients choose the most appropriate one initially or evaluate the ones that clients may have chosen on their own. Questions that should be addressed upfront include: Which of the donors’ grant recommendations will the DAF sponsor not approve? Are there any restrictions on grants to charities outside of the mission or geographic region of the DAF sponsor? What are the granting guidelines?
How Divorce Affects Charitable Giving
What You Need to Know Some divorced donors of more limited means must reduce their giving or cut back on their philanthropic commitments. Some divorced women who have the interest and ability to give open DAF accounts or contribute more to the ones they have. Some DAF donors who have been divorced feel free to develop their own charitable mission. In recent years, there have been a number of high-profile divorces that have affected the charitable world.
20 Charitable Planning Questions Clients Can Ask Over the Holidays in 2021
Because of the challenges family members and society have faced this year and last, this year’s charitable planning conversation may be more important and relevant than ever before. This may be the ideal opportunity for clients to engage children or grandchildren who have not previously been interested or involved. Some questions that clients can ask this year when together include: What is the history of philanthropy in our family? Why is philanthropy important to each of us?
Six Benefits of Establishing a DAF for Clients
Hemera Technologies/Ablestock.com/Thinkstock DAFs allow a wider range of clients to experience the joy of giving and enable charities to receive more consistent and larger grants. Ken Nopar | Oct 20, 2021 Though approximately 500,000 donors have already established donor-advised funds (DAFs), many more could and probably should.
Seven Benefits of Establishing Complementary DAFs
Changing tax laws, the COVID pandemic and other considerations have caused some donors to reconsider how and where they give. Ken Nopar | Sep 01, 2021 Over the past decade, far more advisors have established donor-advised fund (DAF) accounts for clients than private foundations (PF). Though there are now many more DAFs than PFs (450,000 vs. 90,000), some donors have kept their PFs and opened DAF accounts as well.
Opinion: Attempts to Restrict DAFs May Impede Philanthropic Efforts
Aslan Alphan/E+/Getty Images Plus These vehicles are helpful to charities, donors and society. Ken Nopar | Jun 29, 2021 For the past 10 to 15 years, there have been various unsuccessful efforts to impose restrictions on donor-advised funds (DAFs) and private foundations, and we’re seeing this again today. Critics fail to acknowledge the generosity, importance and impact of donors who established these charitable vehicles.
Why Clients Should Discuss Their DAF Accounts with Their Successor Advisors
You are here Home Blogs Why Clients Should Discuss Their DAF Accounts with Their Successor Advisors Submitted by American Endowment Foundation on June 28th, 2021 By Ken Nopar, VP - Senior Philanthropic Advisor Many clients regularly review and update their estate plans, and more have done so over the past year than in normal years. Similarly, many clients with DAF accounts have contemplated whether their donor advised fund succession or disposition plan is still appropriate.
Why Younger Clients Are Establishing Donor-Advised Funds
Most DAF sponsors reported that their high-net-worth donors increased their grants by one-third or more over the past year, thereby extending a lifeline to the charities in dire need of support since many fundraisers were canceled, other donors had to cut back on their support, and demand for services increased.
Discussing Charitable Planning With Clients Who Are Not Philanthropic
Over the past year, most HNW clients have maintained or increased the level of their donations in response to the pandemic and various other challenges in society. However, some wealth, tax, and legal advisors are frustrated and bewildered that a small proportion of their clients, most of whom have more than enough wealth for themselves and their heirs, continue to show little interest in helping others even during these times.
Amid the Crises in 2020, DAFs Continued to Expand
tashatuvango/iStock/Thinkstock Donors made large grants in the spring and summer to support both their favorite charities and those that addressed critical needs. Ken Nopar | Jan 25, 2021 In spite of the pandemic and impact on the economy, 2020 was another banner year for donor-advised funds (DAFs).
15 Questions to Guide Family Charitable Discussions
Clients who discuss their annual charitable planning with their families over the holidays often have similar conversations from year to year. This year, however, may be very different. The shock of the pandemic and the economic impact have caused some donors to deviate from their usual giving practices. Many responded by supporting their favorite nonprofit organizations while others also donated to different or local charities.
Should Clients Create A DAF or Donate Directly?
Techa Tungateja/iStock/Getty Images Plus It depends on their current situation and charitable goals. Ken Nopar | Sep 16, 2020 Many wealthy clients have fortunately maintained or increased their donations to charities this year. Their support has been critical since overall contributions to non-profit organizations have decreased, their fundraisers were canceled and the need for their services has substantially increased.
DOL Proposal Puts Americans’ Retirement Savings at Risk
Labor Department headquarters in Washington. (Photo: Mike Scarcella/ALM) It is hardly surprising that the Labor Department under Secretary Eugene Scalia has proposed a new advice rule that is designed to benefit the same financial firms who once kept Secretary Scalia busy challenging rules they found too worker- or investor-friendly. But appearances must be maintained, so the Department is now out selling its proposal as benefiting the very workers it puts at risk.
DOL Proposal Puts Workers First for Retirement Investment Advice
Deputy Labor Secretary Patrick Pizzella. Although “fiduciary” is not a word used in everyday conversation, it’s a term every investor would do well to learn. ”Fiduciary” principles — derived from the Latin word for “trust” — have become a mainstay of modern law and society.
Should Clients Donate Now or Later?
(Photo: Shutterstock) More than ever before, recent events have caused clients, advisors, nonprofit professionals and the media to contemplate when donors should provide support to charities in need. During this century, and especially since the last recession, the trend has been for donors to give primarily during their lifetimes, though most still want their charitable vehicles to continue after their deaths.
Why Now’s an Ideal Time to Talk with Clients About Charitable Giving
Techa Tungateja/iStock/Getty Images Plus Twelve questions to consider and discuss. Ken Nopar | Jun 11, 2020 The year 2020 has been unlike any other that we’ve experienced. Nearly everyone has been personally impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve seen how others’ and our own livelihoods, lifestyles and health have been affected.
How to Select or Evaluate a Donor-Advised Fund Sponsor Today
(Photo: Shutterstock) The number of donor-advised fund (DAF) accounts has continued to increase rapidly over the past decade. Contributions to DAFs now comprise nearly 13% of all individual giving, grantmaking from DAFs has increased to $23 billion annually, and there are approximately 400,000 individual DAF accounts.
Role of Donor-Advised Funds During Bad Markets and Recessions
JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/Getty Images They can help clients continue their charitable giving. Ken Nopar | Mar 18, 2020 When markets drop significantly or when businesses aren’t as profitable, the charities that wealthy families and business owners support are adversely impacted. Because many donors are passionate about the causes and non-profit organizations they support, the last thing they want to do is to send a much smaller contribution than in previous years.
The Perils of Not Discussing Charitable Planning With Clients
(Photo: iStock) Though the peak charitable giving season occurs in the fourth quarter, many financial advisors find that it is ideal to engage their clients in the charitable planning conversation at other times and not in Q4 when some clients are making their donations. Often advisors initiate the discussion in the months leading up to the fourth quarter, while others have the conversation soon after the clients made their year-end contributions or during or after the spring tax season.
What to Do If Clients Established DAFs on Their Own
Advisors can help transfer accounts from one sponsor to another. Ken Nopar | Jan 08, 2020 Each year, thousands of clients open donor-advised funds (DAFs) on their own. Some open them at the very end of the year, even though their advisors recommended opening them much earlier with the advisors’ preferred DAF sponsor. Because there are over 350,000 DAFs, more clients are aware of DAFs than ever before and find DAF sponsors by various methods.
Your Client Opened a Donor-Advised Fund Account. Now What?
Once again, advisors helped clients open donor-advised fund (DAF) accounts in November and December. Fortunately, many clients opened them earlier in the year when their advisors recommended that they do so. Others, however, waited until the last minute to open the accounts, causing unnecessary stress for the advisors and donors and resulting in some missing account opening deadlines and the opportunity for a large tax deduction.
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