Search this site

We are strategists, researchers, entrepreneurs, storytellers - and above all, practitioners - with experience in philanthropic advising in the U.S. and abroad. At heart, we are collaborators and advocates, thrilled to support the talent and passion of the Daylight community. We are strategists, researchers, entrepreneurs, storytellers - and above all, practitioners - with experience in philanthropic advising in the U.S. and abroad. At heart, we are collaborators and advocates, thrilled to support the talent and passion of the Daylight community. Dien Yuen, CAP®, AEP®, IPA CEO Megan Lemieux Bell, IPA Director, Engagement Jackie Demee, IPA Manager, Programs Riyan Careathers Consultant, Tech Crystal Thompkins, CAP®, CSPG, IPA Head of Enterprise Management Lydia Oh, IPA Manager, Programs & Marketing Cindy Yang Consultant, Programs Tony Macklin, CAP®, IPA Director, Advisor Practice Allie Lemieux, IPA Manager, Learner Experience Bleu Blakslee, IPA Senior Consultant, Advisor Practice Why Daylight? We believe in open design and spaces and in illuminating blind spots. Of surfacing obscured resources and just finding inspiration with good company outside. What might Daylight be to you?

Riyan Careathers Riyan Careathers Consultant, Tech Riyan develops applications and manages data systems to improve operational efficiency to support Daylight’s growing learner community. LinkedIn

Megan Lemieux Bell, IPA Megan Lemieux Bell (She/Her) Director, Engagement As Daylight’s Director of Engagement, Meg leads efforts to grow the learner community and strengthen engagement throughout the learning experience. Megan is a seasoned partner relations executive with over 20 years of experience leading partner strategies for B2B startups. A graduate of Seattle University with a B.A. in Liberal Studies and a former Jesuit Volunteer Corp member, Megan has always been driven to serve and make an impact. Throughout her career she has supported mission-driven organizations in all stages of operation including newly formed endeavors. Her ability to build relationships, create connections and cultivate community is her superpower. She strongly believes “there is no power for change greater than a community discovering what they care about.” Margaret Wheatley. Megan is the mother of two spirited boys and a sports enthusiast-- competing in multiple triathlons, and most recently dragon boat racing. She is a pseudo party planner, a road trip warrior and an experience seeker. Megan currently serves as Co-Chair on Seattle University Board of Regents. Her volunteer work has included Jesuit Volunteer Corp, Generations Cancer Foundation and City Year. She recently hosted and produced a podcast called, “My Aunt Is A Nun”. LinkedIn

Oli Stephano, PhD Oli Stephano Consultant, Research LinkedIn

Jackie Demee, IPA Jackie Demee (She/Her) Manager, Programs As Daylight’s Manager of Programs, Jackie coordinates faculty and supports program delivery and learner success. LinkedIn

Milan Ball, MA, CFRM, IPA Milan Ball (She/Her) Senior Consultant, Advisor Practice LinkedIn

Lydia Oh, IPA Lydia Oh (She/Her) Manager, Programs & Marketing As the Manager of Programs and Marketing at Daylight, Lydia drives strategic impact through a deep, personal commitment to community and care. With experience in donor engagement and philanthropic strategy, she previously supported programming, research and publications, and marketing efforts for the Center for Philanthropy and Social Impact at the American College of Financial Services. Her career also includes development and institutional advancement roles at Missio Seminary and the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. Lydia deepened her insight into philanthropy by participating in the Advisors of Color cohort for the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® program. Grounded in the belief that philanthropy is rooted in human connection and shared stories, she actively practices these principles both professionally and personally. Based in the Philadelphia suburbs, Lydia is an active leader in her church and community, and loves spending time with her husband and two children. LinkedIn

Allie Lemieux, IPA Allie Lemieux (She/Her) Manager, Learner Experience Allie manages Daylight’s learning management system, supporting the delivery of educational programs and ensuring a seamless learning experience for participants. Allie is a dynamic professional with over 15 years of experience building technology partnerships and programs. Throughout her career, she’s built strong relationships with nonprofit and for-profit organizations alike, focusing on strategic partnerships and initiatives that amplify the power of technology to drive positive impact. Known for her approachable and creative leadership style, Allie blends her expertise in change management with a deep commitment to authentic listening and collaboration. Whether working with customers or partners, her goal is always to create experiences that accelerate meaningful outcomes. As the co-founder of Home to Hired, an organization empowering moms to return to the workforce on their own terms, Allie is also dedicated to fostering inclusive opportunities. When she’s not in the office, you’ll find Allie “chasing dinos” with her energetic 4-year-old, mentoring young professionals, or exploring new travel destinations with her husband and stepchildren—all while staying inspired by the endless possibilities (and responsibility) for technology to make a difference. LinkedIn

Tony Macklin, CAP®, IPA Tony Macklin (He/Him) Director, Advisor Practice At Daylight, Tony leads the development of new education programs and field-building projects. A Certified Impact Philanthropy Advisor and Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy®, Tony helps donors, families, grantmakers, and their advisors and associations answer questions about shared purpose, use of resources for social impact, governance, strategy, and assessment. He is a frequent speaker, trainer, and author for the same audiences. He served four years as executive director of the Roy A. Hunt Foundation, a multi-generational family foundation. While there, he facilitated a visioning process and changes in investment management, impact investing, grantmaking, trustee education, and back-office management. In twelve years at the Central Indiana Community Foundation, he led grantmaking and community change initiatives, advised generous entrepreneurs and families, attracted $39 million in assets and co-investments, and co-founded a social enterprise. Before that he managed technical assistance and financing programs for the State of Indiana’s Community Development Division. Tony was raised in Indiana and now lives in Pittsburgh. He is a member of the National Network for Consultants to Grantmakers and Purposeful Planning Institute. He also serves as a senior consultant for the National Center for Family Philanthropy, senior consultant with Ekstrom Alley Clontz & Associates, and senior advisor to the Impact Finance Center. He’s reviewed proposals for a wide variety of funders and purposes, co-founded a giving circle, and served on more task forces and committees than he can remember. LinkedIn

The Certificate in Behavioral Philanthropy offers advisors a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of how behavioral science and philanthropic advising intersect. This program integrates multidisciplinary research insights, real-world examples, and practical case studies, equipping you with the insights and tools needed to help your clients achieve their philanthropic goals. Certificates Behavioral Philanthropy Certificate The Certificate in Behavioral Philanthropy offers advisors a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of how behavioral science and philanthropic advising intersect. This program integrates multidisciplinary research insights, real-world examples, and practical case studies, equipping you with the insights and tools needed to help your clients achieve their philanthropic goals. Through a comprehensive curriculum, you will explore the psychological factors influencing donor behavior, donor barriers, decision-making processes, and the impact of social and family dynamics on philanthropic giving. The case studies provide a hands-on opportunity to bring to life successful strategies and innovative approaches to foster donor engagement and maximizing philanthropic impact. By the end of the program, you will gain a solid grounding in behavioral principles and be able to develop actionable strategies that can be implemented to enhance client relationships. Join us to transform the way you approach philanthropic planning, leveraging behavioral insights to empower your clients and create a lasting impact in the communities they care about. Behavioral science gives advisors a powerful edge in understanding their clients' motivations and barriers. This course will help you build stronger client relationships, craft personalized giving strategies, and position yourself as a trusted expert who delivers deeper impact and more fulfilling philanthropic outcomes. —Julia Ritz Toffoli LEARNING OBJECTIVES Identify and analyze the psychological factors that influence donor behavior and the barriers they may face in their philanthropic journeys. Recognize the role of social and family dynamics in shaping philanthropic decisions, enabling you to understand diverse client motivations and engagement strategies. Apply behavioral insights through real-world case studies, allowing you to develop and implement effective strategies that foster donor engagement and maximize philanthropic impact. Plan actionable strategies tailored to individual clients’ needs, enhancing your ability to build strong relationships and drive meaningful change within the philanthropic landscape. FACULTY Julia Ritz Toffoli Julia Ritz Toffoli is an Associate Managing Director at ideas42 on the Giving Team, where she leads R&D and innovation in the philanthropic space, working with partners to design, test, and implement behaviorally informed interventions to make giving more intentional, strategic, and impactful—both for individual givers and the broader philanthropic community. Prior to joining ideas42, Julia spent nine years at the Open Society Foundations, where she helped to launch and build the Strategy Unit, delivering strategic planning guidance to grant making programs. While at OSF, Julia spearheaded the development of a training curriculum that integrated behavioral insights into strategic decision-making practice. Julia holds a Master of International Affairs in Human Rights Advocacy from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs and a BA in Political Science and Sociology from McGill University. Jen Shafer Jen Shafer is a Senior Behavioral Designer on the Giving Team at ideas42 where she uses insights from behavioral science to promote equity in philanthropy by effectively diagnosing challenges, conducting research, and implementing innovative designs. Prior to ideas42, Jen worked as a management consultant, data analyst, and design researcher across a variety of industries, always with a focus on user needs and employee experiences. Jen has a B.A. in Psychology from Rice University and an M.S. from MIT in Integrated Design & Management, a multi-disciplinary degree where students from design, business, and engineering backgrounds come together to tackle complex problems using human-centered design. For her thesis, she studied intergenerational conversation and legacy storytelling as a vehicle for meaning-making and connection for older adults. Sarah Welch Sarah Welch is a Managing Director at ideas42, a social enterprise that uses insights from behavioral science to invent fresh solutions to tough social problems. Over the past decade Sarah has worked to advance behavioral innovations across various challenges, from climate and consumer finance to criminal justice and health. She now leads the organization’s work in charitable giving, partnering with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Fidelity Charitable Catalyst Fund, National Center for Family Philanthropy, major institutions offering donor-advised funds, and dozens of other organizations in the sector. Prior to joining ideas42, Sarah completed a three-year dual degree program at Yale’s School of Management and School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, where she focused on urban resource management and planning. Sarah holds an MBA and an MEM from Yale and received her BA in Environmental Science & Public Policy from Harvard. Dien Yuen Dien Yuen is the founder and CEO of Daylight. Previously, Dien founded the Center for Philanthropy and Social Impact at The American College of Financial Services, where she served as the Blunt-Nickel Professor in Philanthropy. She also helped develop the curriculum for the Certified Impact Philanthropy Professional program at Singapore’s Wealth Management Institute (WMI), which recognized her with its Distinguished Faculty Award. Dien was named CEO of the Year in the Professional Services Firms category at the 2026 Wealth Management Industry Awards and is a 2026 Forbes 50 Over 50 honoree. Behavioral Philanthropy Certificate Modules Course Format Introduction to Behavioral Science Introduction to Donor Psychology Case Study: Understanding the Donor Context Behavioral Strategies for Advisors Behavioral Philanthropy in Practice Program Type: Certificate program - asynchronous course with module quizzes Program Delivery: Readings, case study, videos, graphics, downloadable resources Program Complexity Level: Intermediate Daylight is an approved CE sponsor. Continuing education credits are eligible for completion of the Behavioral Philanthropy Certificate. CFP®, CPWA®, CIMA®, RMA®, CAP®, CFRE, CSPGCM:  5 hours  Download Behavioral Philanthropy Certificate program description and program outline . Register for the Behavioral Philanthropy Certificate or an Annual Certificate Subscription now! INDIVIDUAL OR ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION CHECKOUT

The Essentials of Modern DAF Advising Certificate provides a practical, unconflicted introduction to today’s DAF landscape. Certificates Essentials of Modern DAF Advising Certificate Donor-advised funds (DAFs) are among the most widely used and flexible philanthropic vehicles available to donors and their advisors. Their rapid growth has expanded the range of donors they serve, the charitable strategies they support, and the sponsoring organizations that offer them. At the same time, DAFs have generated confusion, misconceptions, and ongoing debate among advisors, nonprofits, policymakers, and the public. The certificate provides a practical, unconflicted introduction to today’s DAF landscape. Learners will gain a clear understanding of how DAFs work, the sponsor ecosystem, common planning opportunities and limitations, and the role DAFs can play within broader philanthropic and financial planning strategies. They will also explore many ways to thoughtfully incorporate DAFs into client engagements. Designed primarily for wealth advisors, attorneys, CPAs, trust officers, family office professionals, and philanthropic advisors, the program may also benefit development professionals and nonprofit leaders seeking a deeper understanding of DAFs. However, it is not designed to train nonprofit professionals to raise funds from DAFs. Net Promoter Score A strong endorsement from advisors raising the standard of DAF advising. Response period: July 22 - August 9, 2026. Total Responses=38 NPS 84 "This certificate provided an excellent overview of DAFs and their practical application, including their impact beyond grantmaking through opportunities like impact investing." Nina Cohen, CAP®, IPA "The independent aspect of the curriculum is terrific, and the material provides a fair and balanced overview of a complicated topic." Sarah Angello Co-Founder Daffodil "Philanthropy and wealth management don't always speak the same language. This certificate is one of the practical ways to bridge that gap." Denise Sarkor, MIA, CEPA, CAP®, IPA Sarkor Financial Advisors LEARNING OBJECTIVES Explain how DAFs operate from legal, structural, and practical perspectives. Recognize the range of clients and philanthropic situations for which a DAF may be appropriate. Evaluate DAF sponsors based on a client’s goals, preferences, and planning needs. Identify opportunities and limitations when incorporating DAFs into philanthropic, financial, tax, and estate planning. Use effective conversation prompts to help clients clarify their philanthropic goals and determine whether a DAF is an appropriate solution. FACULTY Tony Macklin Tony Macklin, CAP®, IPA, leads the development of new education programs and field-building projects as Daylight’s Director of Advisor Practice. He is a philanthropist, philanthropoid, and philanthropy geek. Tony enjoys working at the intersection of meaningful giving and community results, specifically connecting older, established forms of philanthropy with emerging trends and experiments. Tony helps donors, families, grantmakers, and their advisors and associations answer questions about shared purpose, use of resources for social impact, governance, strategy, and assessment. He is a frequent speaker, trainer, and author. Dien Yuen Dien Yuen, JD, LLM, CAP®, AEP®, IPA, is the founder and CEO of Daylight. She previously founded the Center for Philanthropy and Social Impact at The American College of Financial Services, where she developed and taught courses in the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®) program as the Blunt-Nickel Professor in Philanthropy. She also previously served on the faculty of the Wealth Management Institute (Singapore), where she received the Distinguished Faculty Award. Dien was named to WealthManagement.com 's 2025 Ten to Watch and was inducted into the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners Hall of Fame in 2023. Essentials of DAF Advising Certificate Modules The Modern DAF Landscape Effectively Incorporating DAFs into Planning Course Format Program Type: Certificate program - asynchronous with module quizzes Program Delivery: Readings, videos, graphics, downloadable resources Program Complexity Level: Overview Daylight is an approved CE sponsor. Continuing education credits are eligible for completion of the Essentials of DAF Advising Certificate. IPA, CFP®, CPWA®, CIMA®, RMA®, CAP®, CFRE, CSPGCM:  2 hours  Download the Essentials for DAF Advising Certificate program description and program outline . Register for an individual certificate or an Annual Certificate Subscription now. INDIVIDUAL OR ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION CHECKOUT

The Rise of the Philanthropic Advisor Entrepreneurs The Rise of the Philanthropic Advisor Entrepreneurs By Crystal Thompkins and Dien Yuen The philanthropic advising sector is entering a defining moment shaped by unprecedented wealth transfer, rising donor sophistication, the growth of donor-advised funds (DAFs), and the professionalization of impact-oriented advising. For entrepreneurial advisors, the opportunity is significant: demand is increasing, expectations are shifting, and new business models are emerging. Yet despite this momentum, the field lacks a clear picture of who these advisors are, what they do, and how their backgrounds inform their practice. This article presents data to fill those gaps and offers recommendations to strengthen this essential segment of the advising landscape. Who are Philanthropic Advisor Entrepreneurs? In 2024, Daylight conducted the first comprehensive study of philanthropic advisors, defined as practitioners who guide the who , what , why , and how of using resources for philanthropy and social impact. Of the 258 advisors surveyed, 30% (77) operate independent consulting practices. These entrepreneurs reflect a diverse and experienced cohort: 74% identify as women, 38% identify as BIPOC, 9% identify as LGBTQ+. 16% are between 30 and 39 years old, 25% are between 40 and 49, and 33% are between 50 and 59. 28% earn between $100,000 and $149,999 annually. Question: What is your current annual base salary or average annual gross consulting income? Category Percent Up to $99,999 21% $100,000 - $149,999 28% $150,000 - $199,999 11% $200,000 - $249,999 18% $250,000 - $299,999 12% $300,000+ 9% What Does Their Current Practice Look Like Entrepreneurial advisors are relatively early in their business lifecycle: 39% have operated for 1 to 4 years 26% for 5 to 9 years. Entrepreneurs most commonly reported providing services in defining purpose (77%), developing impact strategies for charitable vehicles (61%), and cultivating family capital (55%). They work across broad client groups, including individuals and families (79%), nonprofit organizations (71%), and private foundations (60%). For entrepreneurs working with individuals and families, 49% reported that more than half of their clients are builders of new wealth. 21% reported that more than half their clients were BIPOC. Question: Of your individual and family clients, what percentage are primarily builders of new wealth (as opposed to being inheritors of existing wealth)? Category Percent Less than half 36% More than half 49% I do not know 14% I prefer not to answer 1% Where Do They Build Their Skills? The study confirms what many in the field anecdotally understand: philanthropic advising is still primarily learned through experience rather than formal training. 55% cite ‘learning on the job’ as their top professional development method. Advisors self-identified as competent to proficient across core skill domains, including client resource identification, client purpose discovery, philanthropic plan, and strategy development. Question: Which have been most helpful to your learning as an advisor? (Please enter 1, 2, and 3 below to rank the first, second, and third most helpful.) Category First Second Third Formal education programs 13% 16% 18% Learning on the job 55% 19% 17% Mentor relationships (formal or informal) 13% 22% 12% Professional associations 9% 15% 21% Resources found on my own (books, blogs, forums, etc.) 8% 24% 27% Other 2% 3% 5% A Field in Formation Despite real progress, the field remains, in Daylight’s words, “a beautiful mess.” Several systemic barriers impede growth: Low visibility: The market lacks a shared narrative about what philanthropic advisors do, how they create value, and how their services are structured or priced. In addition, most donor clients do not know that philanthropic advisors are available to work with them. This ambiguity suppresses demand and slows market formation. Network access: Unlike adjacent fields such as wealth management, legal services, or consulting, philanthropic advising lacks strong, established pipelines for sourcing clients and building credibility. As a result, early-stage business development is slower, riskier, and disproportionately dependent on personal privilege and proximity to wealth. Advisors from underrepresented backgrounds face especially steep barriers, with limited access to the high-net-worth networks, institutional gatekeepers, and referral pathways that meaningfully shape client acquisition and long-term viability. Knowledge gaps: Even seasoned practitioners identify financial capital development as a weakness (34% of novices; 20% of advanced beginners). Funding and capital constraints: Most philanthropic advisors operate as small firms or solo practices, entities that rarely attract investment despite serving a rapidly expanding market. These small philanthropic advising businesses do not have access to growth capital, operating reserves, or R&D funding. This capital scarcity suppresses innovation and limits the ability of advisors—particularly emerging entrepreneur-advisors—to scale beyond a boutique or referral-dependent model. As a result, the field remains fragmented and fragile, with high-quality practitioners often unable to expand their impact because the business model is capital-poor and structurally at a disadvantage. Investing in Philanthropic Advisor Entrepreneurs for the Decades Ahead The rise of the philanthropic advisor entrepreneur signals a profound shift in how generosity is practiced, structured, and sustained in the United States. Entrepreneurial advisors are stepping into a rapidly expanding landscape shaped by historic wealth transfer, increasingly values-driven donors, and a proliferation of giving vehicles that require specialized guidance. While the field is rich with promise, these advisors still face gaps in visibility, standardization, and access to capital for business growth. Daylight’s research highlights the unique value these advisors bring: deep subject-matter expertise, experience, cultural dexterity, and the relational capacity required to guide donors through high-stakes decisions about purpose, assets, and impact. But their effectiveness—and the sector’s potential—will depend on intentional investment in the ecosystem. To fully realize this moment, the field must prioritize: Clearer and more equitable pathways into the profession. Expanded access to networks, referral channels, and client pipelines. Adoption of shared competency standards . Robust, ongoing professional development. Financial support that enables entrepreneurs to stabilize and scale their business. Doing so will not only strengthen individual advisory practices but also build the infrastructure needed for a mature, trusted, and high-impact philanthropic advising profession. The Rise of the Philanthropic Advisor Entrepreneurs .pdf Download PDF • 70KB