In this episode of CharityVillage Connects, we take an in-depth look at donor-advised funds (DAFs), a method for Canadians to give to charity that is increasing rapidly in popularity. Do DAFs provide valuable flexibility for donors, or do they delay urgently needed support for charities facing rising demand? Join us as we explore how DAFs work, the benefits they offer, and the growing calls to ensure every donated dollar makes a timely difference.

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In this episode of CharityVillage Connects, we take an in-depth look at donor-advised funds (DAFs), a method for Canadians to give to charity that is increasing rapidly in popularity. With more than $20 billion sitting in DAF accounts across the country — funds that donors have claimed tax credits for, but that have not yet been distributed to the charities they were meant to support — important questions are emerging about their role in Canada’s charitable landscape. Do DAFs provide valuable flexibility for donors, or do they delay urgently needed support for charities facing rising demand? Join us as we explore how DAFs work, the benefits they offer, and the growing calls to ensure every donated dollar makes a timely difference.

Meet Our Guests in Order of Appearance

• John Hallward – Chairman, GIV3
• Malcolm Burrows, Head, Philanthropic Advisory Services, Scotia Wealth Management / Executive Director, Aqueduct Foundation
• Jeff Golby, CEO, WellFunded Philanthropy
• Andrew Chunilall – CEO, Community Foundations of Canada
• Chantelle Ohrling, Planned Giving Officer, Ecojustice Canada (Formerly)

About your Host

Mary Barroll, president of CharityVillage, is an online business executive and lawyer with a background in media, technology and IP law. A former CBC journalist and independent TV producer, in 2013 she was appointed General Counsel & VP Media Affairs at CharityVillage.com, Canada’s largest job portal for charities and not for profits in Canada, and then President in 2021. Mary is also President of sister company, TalentEgg.ca, Canada’s No.1, award-winning job board and online career resource that connects top employers with top students and grads.

Additional Resources from this Episode

We've gathered the resources from this episode into one helpful list:

• Influence, Affluence & Opportunity: Donor-Advised Funds in Canada (CAGP Foundation & KCI, 2023)
• The Blumbergs’ Canadian Donor Advised Funds Report (Blumberg Professional Corporation, 2026)
• Charitable Giving in Canada – Statistics and Data (Statistics Canada, 2025)
• DAF Data and Research Dashboard (WellFunded, 2025)
• The Giving Report: Trends in Charitable Giving in Canada (CanadaHelps, 2025)
• Unpacking DAFs, the fastest-growing way to give in Canada (The Philanthropist Journal, 2025) Learn more and listen to the full interviews with the guests here.