First Day Podcast

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., speaks with Elaine Martyn, Senior Vice President, Private Donor Group, of Fidelity Charitable, to explore the role of donor-advised funds (DAFs) in modern philanthropy. Fidelity Charitable, the largest recipient of charitable donations in the United States, administers DAFs as a tool for strategic giving. Elaine explains how DAFs operate as “charitable investment accounts,” allowing donors to contribute assets, receive immediate tax benefits, and distribute grants to nonprofits over time, fostering a thoughtful and impactful approach to philanthropy. A key topic in the discussion is the flexibility and accessibility of DAFs. Elaine highlights Fidelity’s efforts to democratize philanthropy by setting the entry point to open a DAF at zero dollars, with grants starting at just $50. This model appeals to a wide range of donors—from first-generation wealth earners to established philanthropists. Donors use DAFs to align their giving with p