FAQs

General Event FAQs

What is the DAF Giving Summit?

• The DAF Giving Summit is a three-day conference focused on the donor-advised fund (DAF) ecosystem. The event brings together leaders from philanthropy, wealth management, and the broader charitable giving sector, including nonprofits and financial institutions, to explore emerging trends, innovative strategies, and the future of giving.

When and where is the DAF Giving Summit taking place?

• The 2026 DAF Giving Summit will take place September 23–25, 2026, at the Fairmont Austin in Austin, Texas.

Who should attend the DAF Giving Summit?

• The DAF Giving Summit is designed for professionals and organizations across the DAF and philanthropic ecosystem, including:
  • Wealth management leaders
  • Philanthropic advisors
  • Charities and nonprofits
  • Financial institutions and investment firms
  • DAF sponsors and program leaders
  • Researchers and policy leaders
  • Family offices and philanthropic strategists

What can DAF Giving Summit attendees expect from the experience?

• Attendees can expect a full agenda at the DAF Giving Summit, including keynote presentations, breakout sessions, interactive workshops, networking receptions, roundtable discussions, collaborative working sessions, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities. The Summit is designed to foster meaningful conversations, strategic collaborations, and actionable insights.

Registration FAQs

How do I register for the DAF Giving Summit?

• Those looking to attend can register through the DAF Giving Summit website, which offers a wealth of information and regular updates. Registration for the 2026 Summit opened in April 2026.

What is included with registration to the DAF Giving Summit?

Conference registration includes access to DAF Giving Summit sessions, networking opportunities, receptions, and interactive learning experiences.

Are group discounts available?

• Group discounts are not currently available for the 2026 DAF Giving Summit. Prospective attendees can contact the DAF Giving Summit team for inquiries about registration, sponsorships, and more.

Is there nonprofit pricing or discounted registration?

• Discounted early bird registration for the DAF Giving Summit is available through June 20, 2026. Nonprofit-specific pricing is not available at this time.

Will the DAF Giving Summit sessions be recorded?

• Select elements of the 2026 DAF Giving Summit will be made available as exclusive webinars that are accessible on demand with registration. Please check back for more information.

Do you offer virtual attendance options?

• The 2026 DAF Giving Summit is currently promoted as an in-person event in Austin, Texas. Those looking for virtual options are encouraged to explore our webinar series and sign up for our newsletter for updates.

When should I arrive and depart?

• Keep an eye on the agenda page for updates as we finalize the schedule for the 2026 DAF Giving Summit. We encourage participants to stay in Austin, TX for the entire Summit, from the day-one welcome activities on September 23 through the closing keynote on September 25.

Travel & Hotel FAQs

What hotel should attendees stay at for the 2026 DAF Giving Summit?

• Attendees are encouraged to make a reservation at Fairmont Austin where the 2026 DAF Giving Summit will be held. The hotel is located at 101 Red River St., Austin, TX 78701.

Are discounted hotel rates available?

• Fairmont Austin has a block of rooms available for the 2026 DAF Giving Summit. You can view prices when making a reservation.

What airport should I fly into?

• Attendees should fly into Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, the nearest airport to Fairmont Austin where the 2026 DAF Giving Summit is being held.

Is transportation provided between the hotel and venue?

• The recommended hotel is Fairmont Austin, which is also the venue where the 2026 DAF Giving Summit is being held. Therefore, no transportation is necessary. Attendees who choose to stay elsewhere will be responsible for their transportation.

What is the dress code?

• The recommended dress code is business casual. Attendees are also encouraged to bring layers and comfortable shoes for receptions and networking events.

Are meals provided during the event?

• Yes. All agenda details for the 2026 DAF Giving Summit will be announced closer to the event.

Is the venue ADA accessible?

• 2026 DAF Giving Summit attendees can view full accessibility details on the Fairmont Austin website, including information on ADA-compliant rooms and accessible areas.

Speaker FAQs

How can I apply to speak at the DAF Giving Summit?

• Speaker proposals can be submitted through the DAF Giving Summit’s Call for Speakers page.

What types of sessions and formats are available for speakers?

• The DAF Giving Summit offers two main types of sessions for speakers:
  • Keynotes – Big topics appropriate to the entire DAF Giving Summit audience.
  • Breakouts – In-depth sessions with content for specific audiences.
• These can be presented to audiences in a variety of formats, including:
  • Presentations
  • Fireside chats
  • Panel discussions

What topics are of interest to the DAF Giving Summit audience?

• Current topics of interest noted by the DAF Giving Summit audience include, but are not limited to:
  • The Next Chapter of DAF Growth
  • Activating Dormant DAF Assets
  • The Future of Charitable Payments
  • Interoperability and Open Architecture in Philanthropy
  • The Role of Family Offices in the DAF Ecosystem
  • Engaging the Next-Generation Donor Before the Wealth Transfer
  • Impact Investing Inside DAFs: Hype vs. Reality
  • AI for Donors, Advisors, and DAF Operators
  • The Regulatory Road Ahead for DAFs
  • DAFs as Infrastructure for the Broader Giving Economy
  • Complex and Non-Cash Assets at Scale
  • Advisor Enablement: From Tax Tool to Values-Based Planning
  • International and Disaster Grantmaking at Speed
  • Consolidation in the DAF
  • Storytelling That Moves Money
  • Stewards of Shared Donors

When will speakers be notified?

• Submissions to speak at the DAF Giving Summit are reviewed on an ongoing basis and applicants will be notified when a decision is made.

Can vendors or sponsors submit speaking proposals?

• Yes. The DAF Giving Summit welcomes experts and stakeholders from across philanthropy, wealth management, fintech, and the DAF ecosystem to apply to speak.

What makes a strong speaker proposal for the DAF Giving Summit?

• Speaker submissions are evaluated based on:
  • Actionable audience takeaways
  • Speaker quality and expertise
  • Relevance to current DAF industry priorities
  • Originality and uniqueness of the topic

Sponsor & Exhibitor FAQs

Why should my organization sponsor the DAF Giving Summit?

• Sponsors gain visibility among philanthropy and wealth management leaders while building relationships across the DAF ecosystem. Sponsorship benefits may include keynote visibility, attendee engagement opportunities, exhibit space, sponsored communications, branded activations, and networking access.

What sponsorship packages are available for the 2026 DAF Giving Summit?

• Current sponsorship packages for the 2026 DAF Giving Summit include:
  • Summit Sponsor
  • Trailblazer Sponsor
  • Visionary Sponsor
  • Influencer Sponsor
  • Impact Sponsor

There are also sponsorship tiers for nonprofits, speaking sponsorship opportunities, social sponsorship opportunities, and more. Please see the 2026 DAF Giving Summit Sponsorship Prospectus for complete details.

What is included in sponsorship packages?

• Depending on sponsorship level, benefits may include:
  • Conference registrations
  • Main stage visibility
  • Event signage
  • Branded activation
  • Sponsor spotlight emails
  • Welcome bag inserts

Review the 2026 DAF Giving Summit Sponsorship Prospectus for more details.

Are exhibit booths available for the 2026 DAF Giving Summit?

• Yes. Select sponsorship packages include exhibit space opportunities, and booths are available as engagement add-ons. See the 2026 DAF Giving Summit Sponsorship Prospectus for all options.

Who attends the DAF Giving Summit?

• Attendees include nonprofit leaders, philanthropic advisors, DAF sponsors, wealth managers, financial institutions, policy leaders, and philanthropic innovators.

Can sponsors host sessions or roundtables?

• Yes. Some sponsorship packages include opportunities to host keynote sessions, webinars, and breakfast roundtables.

How do I become a sponsor for the DAF Giving Summit?

• Interested organizations can check out sponsorship opportunities on the DAF Giving Summit website and contact uswith questions.

Networking & Experience FAQs

Will there be networking opportunities at the DAF Giving Summit?

• Yes. The DAF Giving Summit includes receptions, breakfast roundtables, collaborative working sessions, hands-on discussions, and structured networking opportunities throughout the event.

Will there be receptions or social events at the DAF Giving Summit?

• Yes. Please keep an eye on the DAF Giving Summit agenda page for updates on the full event list as the date approaches.

Content & Educational FAQs

What topics will be covered at the 2026 DAF Giving Summit?

• The full agenda for the DAF Giving Summit will be posted close to event date. Expected session topics may include:
  • Philanthropic strategy
  • Donor-advised fund innovation
  • AI and fintech
  • Public policy and regulation
  • Generational shifts in giving
  • Non-cash assets
  • Impact reporting and storytelling
  • Advisor and nonprofit engagement strategies

Practical FAQs

Is Wi-Fi available at the venue?

• Wi-Fi information will be available at the event.

What accessibility accommodations are available?

• Full accessibility details are on the Fairmont Austin website, including information on ADA-compliant rooms and accessible areas.

Who should I contact if I need help or additional information about the DAF Giving Summit?

• Use the DAF Giving Summit website to contact us with any questions you have, and feel free to sign up for our newsletter to stay in touch.