Megan Lemieux Bell Megan Lemieux Bell (She/Her) Director, Engagement megan@daylightadvisors.com 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

Certified IPAs October 2024 Cohort Ada Williams Prince Becky Crowe Bree Rose Christina Gorczynski David Pickler Erin Hulme Oceguera Jen Holleran Julia Toffoli Lydia Oh Michelle Caragol Padric Scott Rebecca Stibbe Seth Klukoff Steve Grourke Tim Wilmot Zakiya Lord Adam Creighton Beth A. Hubbard Brian Balduzzi Christopher Beck Dien Yuen Ginni Galicinao Joan Ai Kimberly Karol Mark Greer Mike Rea Rachel Denny Richard C. Peck Sharmila Rao Thakkar Steve Saalfeld Tony Macklin Alanna Casselle Chew Beth Harper Briglia Carí Jackson Lewis Crystal Thompkins Dorothy Stuehmke Jaimi Cortes John Unterreiner Kyle Funakoshi Mary Jovanovich Muhi Khwaja Randi Hogan Rob MacPherson Shazly Zain Sudha Nandagopal Warren Northern Alisia Robin Beverly Cox Caterina Ferrari Cynthia Yongvang Eileen Egan Jane Nordell Jonathan Herndon Leah Caragol Meg Bell Natalie Kennedy Rebecca Darwent Robin Elmerick Stephen E. Peeler Sumitra Pasupathy Wendy Soone Broder Allie Lemieux Bleu Blakslee Chris Nazareth Darley Tom Emma Beeston Janelle Cavanagh Joy Webb Lorena Patlán Michel Vekved Nhi Chau Rebecca Rothey Sarah Taylor Stephen Robinson Tiffany Polite Yolanda F. Johnson

What trends are influencing gift planning? What trends are influencing gift planning? By Megan Bell and Dien Yuen At Daylight, we monitor trends in philanthropic advising and listen closely to advisors and gift planners working with clients and donors on the frontlines. One way we do this is by connecting some of the dots we see and asking advisors how it might apply in their day-to-day work and what's on their minds. In April, we asked attendees at the Northern California Planned Giving Council, "What trends in philanthropy or gift planning are on your minds?" We received over 60 responses written on notecards. They can be grouped into six general themes: giving styles and trends, gift planning, DAFs, demographics, AI/Tech, and concerns over the current political climate. Below are examples of what the participants shared. Do they resonate with you? We've shared our "Adapting to 8 Trends in Philanthropic Advising" presentation to over 600 non-profit and for-profit advisors in many small gatherings. The responses vary based on geography, advisor mix, client or donor sophistication level, etc. One consistent theme is that advisors are looking to broaden their definition of philanthropic planning. Adapting to 8 Trends in Philanthropic Advising Episode 1: Changing Client Base Episode 2: Evolving Definitions Episode 3: Evolving Vehicles Episode 4: Questioning Norms Episode 5: Growing Mistrust Episode 6: Wealth Planning Episode 7: AI for Good Episode 8: The Messy Marketplace

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.

Rebecca Rothey Rebecca Rothey (She/Her) Consultant, Enterprise Development rebecca@daylightadvisors.com Rebecca Rothey, CFRE, CAP®, AEP®, IPA, engages advisors and nonprofit professionals as part of our enterprise development efforts. Rebecca, is a recognized speaker and trainer in philanthropic advising and charitable gift planning. She provides essential technical insights for advisors working with clients and fundraisers, as well as for development professionals engaging with donors and their advisors. Her tenure as Director of Major and Planned Giving at the Baltimore Community Foundation (2012–2015) ignited her passion for community foundations and their role in helping donors give back. She later served as Chief Philanthropy Officer at the Greater Washington Community Foundation (2016–2022) and now continues as Senior Advisor. Her experience in Baltimore also includes leadership roles as Director of Gift Planning at The Johns Hopkins University and Medicine and Director of Planned and Principal Gifts at Catholic Charities of Baltimore. She began her career in gift planning at the American Red Cross of Central Maryland as Manager of Major and Planned Gifts. Rebecca serves on the editorial advisory board of Planned Giving Today and has held leadership roles in professional organizations, including the Baltimore Estate Planning Council and the Chesapeake Planned Giving Council, where she served as president, and the Washington, DC Estate Planning Council. LinkedIn

The work of philanthropic advising is gaining traction among wealth holders seeking impact and guidance. Daylight is one of the few organizations that focus on professional support for philanthropic advisors. Our original research sets a new standard, delivering practical and field-informed guidance to strengthen, connect, and elevate the philanthropic advising profession. Research The work of philanthropic advising is gaining traction among wealth holders seeking impact and guidance. Yet, despite growing demand, the field remains fragmented, lacking cohesive research and a robust professional development infrastructure. Daylight is embracing these challenges and is leading the field in this work. Our original research sets a new standard, delivering practical and field-informed guidance to strengthen, connect, and elevate the philanthropic advising profession. Philanthropic Advising Competency Model Philanthropic advising is evolving—and it’s time the profession had a clear, credible framework to match its growing impact. Daylight’s Philanthropic Advising Competency Model is the first-ever, field-informed framework that defines the new standard of modern philanthropic advising. With thirteen core competencies, the model outlines the knowledge, skills, and behaviors advisors need to serve clients and communities. Learn More U.S. Philanthropic Advisors 2024: Professional Development, Practice, and Knowledge Gaps Who are philanthropic advisors? What services do they provide? What challenges do they face in their work? What kinds of support and resources could help them generate more impact in their communities? Here's a look at understanding the unique experiences and professional needs of today's philanthropic advisors. Learn More

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.

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Crystal Thompkins Crystal Thompkins (She/Her) Director, Strategic Impact crystal@daylightadvisors.com Crystal Thompkins is Director of Strategic Impact, leading the development of Daylight’s community of practice for professional advisors. Crystal brings a depth of experience with over 20 years of experience in planned giving program management and organizational support and family legacy planning across the wealth spectrum. She is committed to building relationships and collaborating across the philanthropic sector to create an advisor community prepared for the future of philanthropy. Crystal is a frequent speaker at national conferences and has published articles in several publications including Worth Magazine and ThinkAdvisor. Her community service includes the advisory council of Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy (WŌC); the editorial board of Planned Giving Today; the investment committee of the Winston-Salem Foundation; and the boards of the Black Philanthropy Initiative (BPI) and the Community Investment Network (CIN). Crystal is a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy®, Certified Specialist in Planned Giving, and a Certified Impact Philanthropy Advisor. LinkedIn

Team Daylight is working hard to support your philanthropic planning professional development needs. Help us build a visible and trusted philanthropic advising profession. Features The Philanthropic Advising Competency Model featuring Tony Macklin Press Dien Yuen recognized on Investment News' 2025 Hot List Press Thriving In The Age Of Disruption Video Podcast with Dien Yuen Press Money Meets Mission Podcast featuring Dien Yuen and Kasey Oliver Press SEE MORE Press Daylight Launches DAFopedia Press Daylight Launches First-Ever Industry Standard For Phil. Advisors Press Daylight Launches New Impact Investing Certificate Press Daylight and PhilanthPro Launch a New Partnership Press SEE MORE Daylight News December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 SEE MORE Awards

Lydia Oh 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

Bleu Blakslee Bleu Blakslee (She/Her) 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