Our Certified Impact Philanthropy Advisor (IPA) program establishes a new benchmark for excellence in philanthropic advising education. Edit About Chat Experience User Faculty Camera Fees Mail Register THE IMPACT PHILANTHROPY ADVISOR CERTIFICATION Daylight’s learning platform and network are designed exclusively for wealth and philanthropic advisors, to help you meet this extraordinary opportunity to grow your business, client relationships and impact. Your home for lifelong learning, Daylight has something for all advisor skill levels and roles – and becoming an Impact Philanthropy Advisor is where you start . With a mix of expert facilitation and on-demand instruction available online over 20 weeks, the Impact Philanthropy Advisor certificate (IPA) offers the skills and connections to confidently support the needs and expectations of families, organizations and communities today. IPA will help you: Deepen client relationships Seize growth opportunities Accelerate and share your skills Spark social impact and family legacies It’s a transformative era for wealth and philanthropy, requiring new competencies and cultural dexterity to thrive. Amidst a historic $124 trillion intergenerational transfer of wealth, clients are turning to advisors for more than investments and tax planning, and philanthropy’s tools, considerations and goals have become more complex. It’s the perfect time to skill up with IPA. THE IPA EXPERIENCE The Impact Philanthropy Advisor certification is a state-of-the-art learning program crafted with decades of experience in philanthropic advising, wealth management and philanthropic education. IPA is the flagship course created by Daylight to meet the demand for contemporary and robust learning solutions. The Advisory Board and faculty, representing the sector’s diversity and breadth, ensure IPA is accessible, relevant and valuable. IPA participants will receive • 20 weeks of learning designed by expert advisors • On-demand content and case studies • Live group discussions facilitated by industry practitioners • New peer connections within your cohort • Continuing education credits • Complimentary content just for IPAs • First access to the Impact Advisors Network • Celebrations and graduation invitations IPA WILL ADVANCE YOUR PRACTICE IN 3 AREAS TECHNICAL Align client values and priorities to achieve philanthropic objectives Assess features and benefits of charitable and non-charitable giving tools Integrate giving strategies within wealth, estate, tax, and philanthropic planning opportunities RELATIONAL Apply a cultural dexterity framework to support a range of client generations and backgrounds Identify the phases of the client impact journey and motivations Develop your skills and personal style to deepen philanthropic conversations PRACTICAL Examine the current philanthropic landscape, trends and debates Develop a sustainable philanthropic strategy and expand client relationships Assess the ethical obligations of a philanthropy advisor IPA MODULES Fundamentals in Philanthropic Advising Evolving demands for social impact services from different client segments; the new map of social impact advising services and competencies Social Impact Landscape Trends in uses of resources across multiple sectors; networks and associations in philanthropy; current policy and practice debates Art of Philanthropic Advising Modalities of advising; challenging assumptions of our roles; client philanthropic journeys; techniques to support progress Purpose and Strategy Developing client values, desired impact, understanding of the ecosystem, strategy statement; addressing inequities Charitable Tax Planning Substantiation; types of assets to give and identifying opportunities to use those assets; gift acceptance policies and donor due diligence Legacy and Gift Planning Application of tools such as bequests, life estates, retirement assets, life insurance, charitable trusts, and charitable gift annuities Foundations and Donor Advised Funds Advantages, disadvantages, critiques, applicability of charitable vehicles for grantmaking and operating programs Impact Investing and Alternative Tools Advantages, disadvantages, critiques, applicability of forms of impact investing and types of purpose-led businesses Influence, Leverage, & Civic Action Use of advocacy, lobbying, crowdfunding, movement building, and similar tools and strategies Planning for Your Philanthropic Advising Work Anticipating clients’ future needs; clarifying value propositions and advisor collaborations; personal development agendas Ethics in Philanthropic Advising Defining responsibilities to self, client, community, and the profession Cultural Dexterity Understanding how our social identities, family traditions, and cultural backgrounds influence wealth, estate, and philanthropic planning Daylight is an approved continuing education (CE) provider for the following organizations and programs: CFP Board | Certified Financial Planner® Investments and Wealth Institute | Certified Private Wealth Advisor®, Certified Investment Management Analyst®, Retirement Management Advisor® The American College of Financial Services | Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® The American Institute for Philanthropic Studies, California State University Long Beach | Certified Planned Giving Specialist® Certified Fund Raising Executive International | CFRE Successful completion of the IPA program provides 16 hours of eligible CE credit (14.5 eligible hours of CFP® charter holders). WHO NEEDS TO BE AN IPA? Social impact is not just for specialists. Whether in a wealth management firm, DAF sponsor or community foundation, family office, grantmaker or nonprofit, many roles benefit from fluency in philanthropy. IPA is for: Client-facing advisors and team members, to better understand your clients and their families, the options available to them, and to collaborate with fellow advisors. Business development roles, to be nimble and opportunistic with the demands of U/HNW families today. Planning and philanthropic specialists, to support junior team members, and for advanced leaders to update their knowledge and be first to access new courses. Associates interested in social change, to further their career development and boost corporate loyalty and retention. FACULTY Tony Macklin, CAP® Daylight Aquanetta Betts JD, AEP®, CAP®, CFRE Johnson Betts, LLC Steve Grourke CAP®, CFRE National Park Foundation Cris Lutz, CAP®, CSPG The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens Dien Yuen JD/LLM, CAP®, AEP® Daylight Beth Harper Briglia CPA, CAP® Philanthropic Advisor Andrew Ho, MBA, CAP® National Academy of Sciences Rick Peck CAP®, CFP®, ChFC®, IPA Richard C. Peck Consulting, LLC Crystal Thompkins CAP®, CSPGCM Daylight Ginni Galicinao, ACFBA, ACFWA, CAP®, CPCC, ORSC Dynamics of Family Wealth Seth Klukoff Eoan Strategies, LLC Rebecca Rothey CFRE, CAP®, AEP® Nishita Bakshi MBA, MSAE Philanthropy Advisor Mark Greer, MBA, CAP® Phīla Engaged Giving Shelly Kurtz Eagle Pointe Advisors FEES You have the chance to participate in the most ambitious, modern philanthropic learning opportunity available, and benefit from Daylight’s national network and years of instructional and practitioner expertise. IPAs can immediately leverage new skills, connections and visibility with clients and teams, and in the marketplace. Special partnership opportunities are available for organizations interested in maximizing IPA’s national kickoff. About 30 hours, start-to-finish 12-15 advisors per cohort 12 self-paced modules 5 case studies 10 live virtual cohort conversation IPA Workbook HOW IT WORKS For Profit: $2,600* Nonprofit & Independent Practitioners: $2,250* *Referrals - Save $250 FEES Cohorts starting in January and April 2026 . Still have questions? See our FAQs . Register for a live info session. Download IPA program description. REFERRAL REGISTRATION IPA About Experience Faculty Fees Registration IPA: A New Standard for Impact Quick Links About Experience Who Faculty Fees Registration

Who Recommends Donor-Advised Funds? Who Recommends Donor-Advised Funds? By Dien Yuen Donor-advised funds (DAFs) are now among the most widely used charitable vehicles in the U.S., prized for their flexibility, administrative ease, and tax advantages. But who is recommending DAFs to donors and clients? What are their backgrounds, and where do they work? Daylights’ 2024 survey of 258 philanthropy advisors sheds light on these questions. Of the respondents, 140 (54%) reported having used or recommended DAFs in the prior three years, while 42 (16%) said they had not. By examining both groups, we can gain a deeper understanding of who these advisors are, where they work, and how their backgrounds influence their practices. The Broad Definition of Philanthropy Advisors The survey defined “philanthropy advisors” broadly - anyone engaged in navigating the who, what, why, and how of using resources for philanthropy and social impact. This included full-time philanthropic advisors as well as wealth advisors, tax advisors, attorneys, accountants, gift planners, or other nonprofit professionals. Where Advisors Who Recommend DAFs Work Advisors who used or recommended DAFs in the past three years most often work in community foundations or similar organizations (42%). By contrast, those who did not use or recommend DAFs were far more likely to be self-employed (54%). This suggests that advisors embedded in institutions that sponsor or manage DAFs are much more likely to recommend them than their peers in independent practice. Question: Which of the following best describes your current employer/business? Category DAF Users Non-DAF Users Consulting practice or firm (self-employed) 34% 54% Community foundation or similar organization 42% 4% Nonprofit organization 14% 28% Consulting practice or firm (as an employee or consultant) 10% 15% Advisor Backgrounds and Experience The survey shows that advisors who recommend DAFs come from diverse backgrounds. While 20% had 10–14 years in the field, many had either less than 10 years (25%) or over 20 years (40%) of experience. Non-DAF users skewed slightly older, with higher percentages in the 60+ range. Among DAF users, 70% were women, 17% were Black, and 16% identified as LGBTQ+—slightly more diverse than the non-DAF group. California, Washington, and Pennsylvania topped the list for DAF-recommending advisors’ locations. Clients Served Both DAF users and nonusers primarily serve individuals, families, and nonprofit organizations. More DAF users than nonusers describe more than half their clients as builders of new wealth, as opposed to inheritors of existing wealth. Question: What types of clients does your current employer/business serve? (Select all that apply.) Category DAF Users Non-DAF Users Businesses and social enterprises 61% 32% Community foundations 59% 44% Donor-advised funds 64% 32% Donor/funder collaboratives or issue funds 68% 43% Individuals and families 82% 78% Nonprofit organizations 77% 59% Operating foundations 42% 35% Private foundations 63% 52% Research groups 36% 7% What Services Do They Provide? Advisors who recommend DAFs often integrate charitable vehicle selection into a broader suite of services: 82% help clients define purpose and values. 77% develop impact strategies for charitable vehicles. 68% specifically guide clients in choosing and establishing vehicles such as DAFs, foundations, or trusts. Non-DAF users were less likely to provide this technical guidance, suggesting they may focus more on values-based advising, fundraising, or nonprofit-side donor engagement. Learning, Knowledge, and Professional Resources DAF users and nonusers rank learning on the job as most helpful to their learning and development as advisors. DAF users also note relationships with mentors to be helpful, while nonusers rank resources they find on their own—such as books, blogs, and online forums—as key to their learning. Advisors were asked to assess their current levels of knowledge across several key areas. DAF users and nonusers report equal levels of skill in the areas of client resource identification, financial capital development, and teaming and collaboration with other fields. However, DAF users rate themselves as more skilled than nonusers in the areas of sector knowledge, philanthropic planning and strategy development, charitable tools selection, and vehicle selection. Twice as many nonusers than DAF users consider themselves to be novices in financial capital development. The Bigger Picture DAFs are not the only tool advisors recommend—direct gifts, bequests, and private foundations also feature heavily—but they remain the most widely used across nearly all employer types. In short, advisors who recommend DAFs tend to be more institutionally connected and more confident in the technical aspects of charitable planning. For donors and clients, this means that working with such advisors often leads to clearer guidance on when and how to use DAFs alongside other vehicles like bequests or private foundations. For nonprofits, it underscores the importance of building relationships with advisors, since they play a pivotal role in steering charitable dollars. And for the advisors themselves, the findings highlight both the opportunities and responsibilities of recommending tools that can shape how, when, and where philanthropy flows. ©2025 Daylight Advisors, Inc.

Bleu Blakslee, IPA Bleu Blakslee (She/Her) Senior Consultant, Advisor Practice bleu@daylightadvisors.com Bleu Blakslee supports Daylight's Advisor Practice engagements. Bleu is a nationally and internationally noted expert in philanthropy with more than 35 years of experience working with high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and nonprofits. She has designed and implemented giving strategies that combine cultural relevance, complex assets, and measurable impact. Bleu held senior roles at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a top U.S.-based medical nonprofit with global partnerships, Save the Children, a 105+ year-old humanitarian organization active in over 115 countries, and others. Her leadership has focused on cross-border giving, innovation, NextGen strategy, innovation, and high-impact giving, with thought leadership represented at events such as the World Economic Forum in Davos, the United Nations General Assembly, with attendance at various global convenings such as AVPN in Abu Dhabi. LinkedIn

Lydia Oh, IPA Lydia Oh (She/Her) Manager, Programs & Marketing lydia@daylightadvisors.com Lydia’s contributions to Daylight’s program and marketing efforts stem from a deep commitment to community and care that is only growing, demonstrated at work and at home. Her leadership in philanthropy is no surprise, having most recently worked with Dien at the Center for Philanthropy and Social Impact at the American College of Financial Services, where she supported the Center in programming, research and publications, and marketing and social media. Lydia welcomed the chance to join the Center, and now Daylight, to further extend her work with donors that started out at Missio Seminary and then The UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. Throughout all of these roles she’s come to appreciate, and draw out, the essence of giving: that it’s about so much more than the ask; it’s about connection with people; hearing their stories and supporting new ones; activating what matters to them and the change they seek. Lydia personally practices many different ways of giving and creating connection, which was one of the things she studied upon recently completing the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® certification (CAP®), as a member of the latest Advisors of Color cohort. She is very active in both the Korean-American community and her church, where she helps lead the women’s group and community growth group. Lydia is a committed friend and advocate to the families and mothers in her extended community, and she lives in the Philadelphia suburbs with her husband and two young children. LinkedIn

Philanthropic Advising Learning Journey Philanthropic Advising Learning Journey By Dien Yuen & Tony Macklin Advisors come to philanthropic advising through many paths—wealth management, philanthropy, consulting, impact investing, and beyond. At the same time, client expectations, social impact tools, and the capabilities required to advise effectively have evolved significantly. As a result, advisors often face uncertainty about where to focus their development and how to adapt their approach. We created the Philanthropic Advising Learning Journey to address this challenge. It helps advisors quickly recognize where they are in their professional journey and identify what to focus on next. The Learning Journey is grounded in Daylight’s Philanthropic Advising Competency Model , which defines the behavioral and technical capabilities required to serve clients well in today’s environment. How to use it Start by identifying the persona that most closely reflects your current role or focus. Each persona highlights: The capabilities advisors typically bring. The gaps or pressures they are experiencing. Learning pathways that align with those needs. Many advisors will see themselves in more than one persona over time. The Learning Journey is designed to be revisited as client needs evolve, careers progress, or responsibilities shift. How does this help advisors? The Learning Journey helps advisors: Prioritize learning in a crowded professional landscape. Build confidence by focusing on capabilities that matter now. Engage in more relevant conversations with clients about purpose, impact, and legacy. Create a shared language for development within teams and firms. For individual advisors, it provides clarity and direction. For managers and firm leaders, it offers a coherent way to develop teams around shared competencies while respecting individual strengths and growth paths. Our goal is not to prescribe a single path, but to support informed, intentional growth—so advisors can meet today’s complexity with confidence and relevance. Philanthropic Advising Learning Journey 2026 .pdf Download PDF • 558KB

Rick Peck Rick Peck (He/Him) Consultant, Advisor Practice rick@daylightadvisors.com Rick Peck works with Daylight in our Advisor Practice engagements. Rick is an independent philanthropy advisor with Richard C. Peck Consulting, LLC working with nonprofits, donors, potential donors, and professional advisors. He is also the founder of The Philanthropy Guy, LLC, an emerging, leading-edge charitable giving resource hub featuring a bi-weekly podcast series, interactive website, and asynchronous and live learning opportunities, and is releasing a book on the basics of nonprofit fundraising in 2025. Rick is an honoree of NH Business Review's list of the NH 200 for 2024 which features New Hampshire’s most influential business leaders across major industries, like the nonprofit industry. He is also recognized in the MYCPE ONE Excellence Awards 2024 as one of the Top Speakers and Content Creators. From July 2023 through January 2024, Rick served as interim VP for Development at the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, which is the largest community foundation in the world. For six years prior to that, as VP for Development and Philanthropy Services, Rick led the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation’s philanthropy and donor services team, overseeing all aspects of development, donor engagement, and donor services. Before joining this statewide community foundation, Rick served Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health and the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College as director of individual giving and gift planning, where he worked with grateful patients and families as well as medical school alumni to achieve their philanthropic goals. He also served Dartmouth College as an associate director of gift planning, working with alumni of the undergraduate college. Rick is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® and a Chartered Financial Consultant®. He holds an MBA from Baker College in Michigan and a BA from the University of Massachusetts. Rick is the 2023-2025 President of the Board of Directors of the International Association of Advisors in Philanthropy (AiP). He is also a member of the American College of Financial Services’ inaugural FinServe network of philanthropic thought leaders. Rick is a requested speaker on the topic of philanthropy on platforms such as Leimberg Information Services (LISI), myCPE, and CPA Academy. And, he has served as a presenter for conferences organized by AFP-NNE and Volunteer NH, as well as more intimate settings for UMass Lowell, Ameriprise, Ledyard Financial Advisors, and the Fairfield County Community Foundation. LinkedIn

Growing Together: Insights From the Philanthropic Advising Competency Model Growing Together: Insights From the Philanthropic Advising Competency Model By Dien Yuen Modern philanthropic advising lacked a clear definition of the advisor’s role and a shared standard for what constitutes high-quality practice. Daylight created the Philanthropic Advising Competency Model (Model) to fill that gap. The Model comprises thirteen competences, each with a corresponding list of objectives to bring clarity, consistency, and credibility to a rapidly evolving field. At the DAF Giving Summit , Alisia Robin, Elaine Chu , and I facilitated the Impact Lab session titled "Shaping the Philanthropic Advising Competency Model." We asked the packed room of advisors and nonprofit professionals to complete a self-assessment that helps them reflect on where they are today and identify the skills they may want to build as they grow in their practice. The goal was to identify perceived strengths, areas for growth, and emerging patterns to inform training priorities and organizational development strategies across the field. We gathered the results of the two activities and have distilled our observations below. We thank all the participants for their time. How Advisors Self-Rate on Competencies In our first activity, we asked participants to rate themselves on the 13 competencies on a scale of 1 to 5 (aligned with Patricia Benner’s “From Novice to Expert” model, with 1 = Novice, 2 = Advanced Beginner, 3 = Competent, 4 = Proficient, and 5 = Expert). Across the dataset, participants demonstrated confidence in core behavioral and technical competencies while indicating development needs in specialized areas such as investment acumen, gift planning, and risk management. Most Often Rated 4–5s (Strengths) 60% of participants rated themselves as 4s or 5s in Behavioral Intelligence , making it the highest-rated competency. 47% of respondents appear proficient in Family Systems and Governance , yet the same percentage rated themselves as 1s and 2s. Other top-rated competencies include: Relationship & Network Development Purpose & Legacy Identification Sector Knowledge Mostly Rated 3s (Neutral/Average) 50% of respondents scored themselves as 3s in the Cultural Dexterity competency. Other areas of moderate comfort include: Research & Data Analysis Risk & Opportunity Management Mostly Rated 1–2s (Growth Areas) More than half of the respondents rated themselves low in Education and Facilitation . Other competencies trending lower include: Philanthropic & Social Impact Vehicles Risk & Opportunity Management Gift Planning and Investment Acumen were the lowest-rated competencies overall. 47% of respondents rated as 1s - 2s in both of these areas. 87% rated themselves 3 or lower in Investment Acumen . From Great to Growth In our second activity, we asked participants to review the 9 Components of Modern Philanthropic Planning , which are mapped to the 13 competencies in the Model. These are common deliverables expected from advisors. While an advisor or firm may not offer every component or follow a fixed planning sequence, modern philanthropic advisors are expected to be conversant across all areas. Participants were asked to identify the top three services they are currently delivering well (“great”) and three they would like to develop (“growth”). 91% of participants rated Purpose Clarification as great. Legacy Planning (43% identified as great; 52% identified as growth) received split perceptions — some feel capable, others see room to grow. Assessment & Learning (29% identified as great; 59% identified as growth) is a major developmental area. The data suggests the group is strong in defining direction but less confident in executing and measuring success. Great Mixed/Transitional Growth Purpose Clarification Legacy Planning Operational Choices Strategy Definition Vehicle Choices Resource Allocation Governance Choices Social Impact Tactic Choices Assessment & Learning Program An Evolving Philanthropic Advising Field The findings from this group of advisors and nonprofit professionals suggest that those practicing philanthropic advising bring diverse training, experiences, and perspectives to their work. Participants demonstrate notable strength in relationship building, behavioral intelligence, and purpose facilitation—core competencies that underpin effective advising. At the same time, they are steadily growing into the core technical dimensions of the field. Across the two datasets, patterns point to development opportunities in specialized technical areas, such as investment acumen, gift planning, and risk management. For some, partnering with other advisors who are proficient in gift planning and investments offers a balance. By deepening the connection between relational insight and technical skill, fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration, and embedding continuous learning into professional growth, these practitioners can advance both their individual practice and the field as a whole. Ultimately, our observations affirm that philanthropic advising is maturing into a modern profession—one grounded in empathy, strengthened by expertise, and united by a shared commitment to excellence. Daylight’s Philanthropic Advising Competency Model Daylight’s Philanthropic Advising Competency Model is the first of its kind — a field-informed framework that defines the knowledge, skills, and behaviors advisors need to serve clients and communities effectively today. The thirteen core competencies capture the essence of a dynamic and evolving profession — one that demands both technical fluency and relational acumen. The Model offers a flexible structure for advisors, employers, and professional networks to assess, strengthen, and align their practice. Whether you’re a practitioner charting your growth, a leader committed to strengthening the field, or an employer shaping talent strategy, the Model can help you: Recruit and evaluate talent with greater clarity Guide professional development and coaching Align teams around shared expectations Build trust and transparency in advisory services Download the Philanthropic Advising Competency Model and begin mapping your learning journey today.

Where Do Philanthropy Advisors Come From? Papa, Where Do Philanthropy Advisors Come From? By Tony Macklin Well, son, sometimes a donor couple loves a cause very much. So much they want to put a lot of money into it… OK, maybe a child hasn’t asked you that question. But the topic comes up in the Daylight team’s conversations with philanthropy professionals. Our answer has been something like “from more than a dozen allied professions like nonprofit management, grantmaking, gift planning, and financial services.” It turns out philanthropy advisors’ backgrounds are far more diverse. During a packed session about philanthropic services at the 2023 DAF Giving Summit , we asked attendees to share their previous three jobs or roles. Forty two percent of them came from the types of philanthropy jobs you might expect: But the larger percentage listed backgrounds as varied as cowboy, bartender, ecological designer, letter carrier, marketing coordinator, social worker, and domestic violence attorney: Wildly mixed backgrounds can be a strength in the field of philanthropic advising. The diverse lived experiences will benefit clients and advisors working collaboratively. And different professions bring new angles to identifying and solving problems, involving people in decision-making, structuring client services, and more. The mix also presents challenges. The primary one, often reported by employers, is an advisor’s limited experience with the broad range of philanthropic motivations, resources, vehicles, strategies, and social impact tools clients use. To be sure, some advisors make a living only knowing about grantmaking to charities or only working in an issue such as education. But most private sector employers, and an increasing number of foundations, need generalists who can comfortably navigate multiple options, often without judging the client’s final choices. What’s Next? Over the past 18 months, Daylight team members have been developing a standardized set of competencies for philanthropic advisors, mapping where professional development programs meet those competencies, and asking advisors where they rank themselves on a scale from novice to expert. And, no surprise, we have ideas for filling gaps with new programming and research. Stay tuned for more information about our competency mapping and new programming in April! REN DAF Giving Summit 2023 ©2025 Daylight Advisors, Inc.

Cindy Yang Cindy Yang (She/Her) Consultant, Programs cindy@daylightadvisors.com Cindy joins Daylight with over 20 years of experience supporting C-Suite executives in the legal, health, and nonprofit sector. Cindy’s dedication, capacity to juggle a diverse and dynamic set of responsibilities and ability to collaborate across geographies will be a great addition to Daylight as they continue to grow. Prior to joining Daylight, Cindy worked as an Executive Administrator for a non-profit health care organization in Milwaukee, WI. In her role there, she managed the day-to-day operations for the corporate office, and supported the CEO and executive staff, as well as served closely as a liaison to the board of directors. Cindy received her bachelor’s in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a master’s degree in management from Cardinal Stritch University. Cindy was raised in Wisconsin and now lives in South Carolina. In her spare time, Cindy enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, as well as volunteering and building relationships in the Hmong communities throughout the Carolinas. LinkedIn

Turning Advisors Into Ambassadors Turning Advisors Into Ambassadors By Crystal Thompkins Director of Strategic Impact, Daylight A strong network of professional advisors can be invaluable to nonprofits. Professional advisors can serve as a resource for technical expertise and as connectors to others within their networks. Many nonprofits develop councils, create collateral, and host events to cultivate relationships with advisors in hopes of uncovering new opportunities. Much time and resources are spent engaging with advisors, yet often the effort does not yield commensurate results. Successful engagement with advisors, meaning engagement that creates a pipeline of new donor opportunities, doesn’t come solely from pleasant lunches and glossy marketing material. Here are 6 tips to help turn professional advisors into effective ambassadors: Develop an advisor engagement strategy. Advisor engagement should be strategic for and specific to your organization, not an obligation or copycat project from other organizations. Consider your organization’s goals, resources, and needs. How might professional advisors specifically (as opposed to other stakeholder groups) help reach those goals or meet a need given your available resources? What resources will you allocate and how? What are the measurable outcomes and success metrics for your advisor engagement? Events and activities should result from the strategy. They are not the strategy. Keep it simple. A sound strategy with supporting activities and clear goals does not need to be complicated. In fact, it shouldn’t be. The simpler the better. Limit activities to those that have a direct line to meeting your goals. Advisor engagement should not distract or subtract from other organizational priorities and resources. Recruit thoughtfully. With the strategy in mind, consider the profile of the advisors who will be most likely to help meet your goals and be thoughtful in selecting advisors to collaborate with. Look for criteria besides oldest/largest practice, most popular, or biggest donor. What networks are they connected to that you are not? Do they have an existing affinity to your organization? What role(s) have they demonstrated (asker, doer, host, connector, etc.)? Would you and your team enjoy working more closely with them? Keep in mind that an advisor may be a subject matter expert or a great supporter of your organization, but that may not translate into being a great ambassador. Be clear about the expectation. The most effective ambassadors know that’s their role. Let advisors know why your organization wants them to be a part of your success and how they can contribute. Instead of downplaying their commitment - “It’s only one meeting a quarter!” - be upfront about the importance of their participation in achieving your goals: “We’re relying on the connections made through our advisor networks to help meet our goals. We’ll need your active involvement to make that happen.” Give them something to do and the tools to do it. One of the best gifts you can give a busy person is instruction, so they don’t have to spend valuable time figuring out how to do something. Give your advisors tasks that are clear and time-sensitive, along with any tools that will help them. If you want them to make introductions, tell them who, how many, why, and by when. Make a digital toolkit with three bullet points on key initiatives, a 60-day calendar of events, a contact list, and an intro email template. Ask them to share it with at least X number of people a month. Let them tell you if that’s too many or too few. The specificity not only makes it easier for them to do, but it also makes it easier for you to track and report outcomes. Interact with purpose. Whether it’s a phone call, an email, or a meeting, every interaction with your advisor network should include: An acknowledgement of their contribution to your success. A reminder and/or status update of their tasks. A discussion of what hurdles or barriers they’re encountering. A report of the status of goals & celebrating accomplishments. A learning moment. Time for listening to their feedback or an offer to do so at a later date. Addressing these six things will affirm their importance to your organization while establishing a sense of collaboration and accountability. ©2025 Daylight Advisors, Inc.

Certified IPAs July 2025 Cohort Aisha Alexander-Young Antoine Lunsford CJ Dates Greg Pollard Jacqueline Ackerman Jill Dotts Kati Dray Laura Dean-Shapiro Maura Donlan Myrna Orozco Sarah Ramsey Szu-han Chen Alex Alkire Beka Whitson Denver Frederick Gretchen Vanderveer Janell Kaplan Jim Marconi Kelly Shea Lexie Cde Baca Michael Davis Nicole Stuke Shelby Goodrum Tamisha Keith Amber Mueller Breechaye Milburn Elly Grogan Hilary Leav Jeanine Holden Jon Kraus Kelsey Wetzstein Lisa Ellis Michele Fugiel Gartner Nisha Patel Shiloh Turner Tiffany Dyson Andrea Faiss Brianna Jackson Emily Myles Huong Nguyen-Yap Jenny Johnson Jose Orellana Klementina Sula Marguerita Cheng Mikayla Riskin Richard Taylor Sokol Shtylla Vanessa Murrieta Angelika Arutyunova Byron Liles Gabriela Boyer Ilona Prucha Jessica Lazar Judy Kinney Krista Riddley Maryann Fernandez Mike Worley Sangeeta Nandi Susana Cáceres

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 CEO of Daylight, an innovative professional development platform that creates transformative learning experiences for advisors pursuing growth, service, and social impact. She also serves as lead faculty for philanthropy at Singapore’s Wealth Management Institute (WMI), where she was instrumental in launching Asia’s first professional philanthropic certification. She was inducted into the 2023 National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (CGP) Hall of Fame and recognized for her academic leadership with the Distinguished Faculty Award from WMI. Dien’s early career included senior roles in wealth management and global development organizations. 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®:  5 hours  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