Mergers and acquisitions are reshaping wealth management. Scale is important, but it’s not enough. To succeed in a consolidating marketplace, firms must deepen client relationships, retain assets, and differentiate their value. A centralized, firm-branded donor-advised fund (DAF) built for growth is one of the most effective ways to do all three. According to the National Philanthropic Trust’s 2024 DAF Report, DAF assets reached more than $250 billion in 2023 and are projected to surpass $1 trillion within the next decade, a signal that charitable giving strategies are not just a side benefit, but a central force shaping the future of wealth management.
Retaining Assets and Trust Through Transition
M&A introduces uncertainty for clients. A branded DAF as your firm’s charitable giving strategy provides consistency in the giving experience, anchoring assets and trust within the firm even if advisors or platforms change. By creating continuity in something as personal as philanthropy, firms reduce the risk of outflows and reassure clients through times of transition.
A Unified Brand and Cohesive Identity
Consolidation often leaves clients navigating a patchwork of legacy offerings. A centralized DAF unifies the philanthropic solution under one brand, reinforcing the firm’s identity as a holistic provider. This cohesion strengthens trust and signals clarity when competitors appear fragmented.
Differentiation That Wins in a Crowded Market
National providers like Fidelity, Schwab, and Vanguard are capturing charitable flows often at the expense of wealth firms. A branded DAF keeps those assets and relationships in-house, while signaling innovation, client-centricity, and purpose-driven leadership. In an industry where differentiation fuels growth, philanthropy can become a competitive edge. The urgency is real: the NPT 2024 DAF Report highlights that DAFs are now the fastest-growing charitable vehicle, with growth far outpacing other giving structures.
Unlocking Growth Through Wallet Share
A DAF built for growth doesn’t just retain assets, it expands them. By capturing charitable dollars that might otherwise leave the platform, firms increase AUM and open new revenue lines. With investment flexibility, advisors can align portfolios with client values while strengthening wallet share. In short: philanthropy becomes a lever for growth, not just generosity.
Empowering Advisors and Engaging Families
Advisors navigating consolidation need tools that help them stand out. A firm-branded DAF equips them to serve families more holistically, strengthen multigenerational ties, and deliver value well beyond investment management. It also creates a natural bridge to the heirs set to inherit $124 trillion in the Great Wealth Transfer with an estimated $18 trillion directed to charity (Cerulli Associates, via NPT 2024). That makes a centralized DAF not only a philanthropic tool but also a way to secure relationships across generations.
Philanthropy as a Strategic Growth Engine
At TIFIN Give, our north star is clear: philanthropy isn’t a “nice to have.” It’s a tool for growth, for assets, for relationships, and for legacy. In an era of consolidation, a centralized, firm-branded DAF is more than a philanthropic vehicle. It’s a strategic engine that anchors assets, unifies brand identity, engages families, and ensures firms thrive through and beyond M&A – a powerful example of how charitable giving strategies power growth and legacy.