Donor advised funds (DAFs) have become an increasingly popular and flexible way for individuals and families to approach charitable giving. In this conversation, Amanda Kirschenbaum, CJP’s Senior Director, Donor Advised Funds and Investment Partnerships, shares her expertise and insights from her new role, explaining how DAFs work, what makes CJP’s program distinctive, and how donors can use these funds to plan strategically, involve future generations, and build a lasting philanthropic legacy. 

Tell us about your new role at CJP and what you hope to achieve.

I joined CJP in December of 2025 to lead our donor advised fund program through its next phase of growth. Our DAF program is an incredible resource that helps donors think strategically about their philanthropy in ways that strengthen both the Jewish community and the broader community, locally and globally. Since its founding in the 1970s, the DAF program has allowed CJP to serve as a long-term philanthropic partner. I hope to strengthen and deepen that partnership by continuing to offer access to a best-in-class program for donors giving through a Jewish lens.

My goal is to grow the DAF program as a platform for impact through strategic grantmaking, mission-aligned investing, and meaningful legacy planning — so that donors see their DAF as a living expression of their values that can benefit the community for generations to come.

I am excited to continue working in partnership with community members, volunteer leaders, and peers to build an ambitious and scalable strategic plan so we can best serve the needs of our community and leverage the DAF program to further CJP’s broader mission.

Tell us what a donor advised fund is and what makes CJP’s program unique.

A donor advised fund (DAF) is a charitable giving vehicle that allows donors to make a contribution, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then recommend grants to nonprofits over time as their capital grows through investment. It’s a flexible and efficient way to manage both current giving and long-term philanthropic planning.

What differentiates CJP is really the unique role we play in Greater Boston’s Jewish community. We are funders, connectors, and leaders, which allows us to offer a highly personalized experience rooted in deep knowledge of both the broader nonprofit sector and the Jewish communal landscape. Another meaningful aspect of our DAF program is that grants are distributed with CJP branding, amplifying Jewish-identified giving across thousands of nonprofits locally, nationally, and globally. It's really valuable and beautiful to be able to have that Jewish identified giving so prevalent throughout the world.

Deepening our value add to our participants is something I'm thinking a lot about, whether it's through access to Israel opportunities, Jewish community expertise, opportunities to engage with CJP priorities, or investment options that reflect donors' values while supporting long-term growth.

What are some common misconceptions people have about DAFs?

A common misconception is that DAFs are only well suited for experienced philanthropists who are making really large gifts. In reality, they are a great tool for any donor looking to be strategic about their philanthropy. This could look like someone who is managing multiple annual gifts and wants to do that in a simple and efficient way, someone looking to donate appreciate securities, or someone seeking an efficient way to manage their philanthropic legacy. At CJP, donors can open a DAF with a contribution of $2,500 or more and make grants starting at just $50.

What do you see as the biggest advantages of using a DAF for charitable giving?

One of the greatest advantages of a DAF is flexibility. Donors can be strategic about when to contribute assets and thoughtfully determine when and where they make grants. DAFs also simplify philanthropy by consolidating record-keeping, accommodating complex assets, and reducing the administrative burden on the donor.

Importantly, they create space for reflection. Donors can take a long-term view of their philanthropy, balancing immediate needs with sustained support for causes they care about over time.

Are there any downsides to DAFs people should be aware of?

Unlike private foundations, DAFs are not required to distribute a minimum percentage of assets annually. This means funds can remain in a DAF account indefinitely, potentially delaying support to charities.

While this flexibility can be beneficial, it also places responsibility on the donor to ensure their funds are actively used. At CJP, we have guardrails in place to prevent funds from remaining inactive for extended periods, while still preserving flexibility. We also aim to engage donors in ongoing conversations about strategic philanthropy to help them maximize their impact. We want to be true partners to our donors and help them make the most of their philanthropic dollars.

Can you speak about DAFs as a helpful planning tool?

DAFs are a great vehicle for managing a philanthropic legacy. Donors can extend their impact beyond their lifetime in several ways: Donors can name successor advisors on their DAF to carry on the tradition of thoughtful grantmaking. They can donate the remaining funds to one or more charities as a one-time gift. And they can designate all or a portion of their DAF to create an endowment or a legacy gift at CJP or at another charity. Or they can do some combination of all three of those things.

DAFs allow donors to support both lifetime giving and long-term legacy planning, ensuring continuity of impact.

What role do DAFs play in multi-generational family philanthropy?

DAFs are a powerful tool for engaging multiple generations in giving and is something donors can do during their lifetime. Families often use them to teach children and grandchildren how to evaluate nonprofits, make grant recommendations, and understand the impact of philanthropy. Over time, this shared experience can foster meaningful traditions and establish a lasting family legacy of giving.

What advice would you give someone considering a DAF as part of their legacy plan?

Start with your values. Think about the causes, communities, and institutions that have shaped your life and how you want to support them in the future. A DAF gives you the ability to articulate that vision now while allowing flexibility to update your plans as circumstances and needs evolve.

I also encourage donors to start having conversations with family members, professional advisors, and CJP staff early in the process to ensure your intentions are clearly understood and well documented.

What are some steps one might take if interested in creating a succession or legacy plan with their fund?

A good first step is simply to talk with us. I’m always happy to have conversations with donors, to talk through what legacy plan makes the most sense for their specific goals and needs. We can help think through the important questions, like: Who should advise the fund after my lifetime? Do I want the fund to support specific causes or organizations? Should the fund become an endowment or a legacy gift?

From there, we can help formalize successor advisor designations and legacy instructions. These steps ensure clarity, continuity, and peace of mind while honoring the donor's philanthropic vision.

We believe it's never too early to start thinking about your philanthropic legacy. And as plans change, we work with donors to adjust the legacy instructions as they see fit.

To learn even more, contact Amanda at AmandaK@cjp.org and 617-457-8692, visit our DAF webpage, or visit our Legacy Giving website.