Beyond the Grant: Funding Innovation in DAFs

​Climate capital shortfalls are presenting a challenging road ahead, and this will receive much of the attention at NYCW 2025. Instead of discussing what should be happening, we’d like to highlight the inspiring creativity which already abounds across the climate funding landscape. Specifically, we’ll focus on innovations leveraging the fastest growing category of philanthropic capital: the Donor-Advised Fund (DAF).

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After a brief intro on the basics, panelists will represent the lifecycle of DAF capital, from donors to DAF sponsors to grantees and investees.

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This conversation will focus not just on where the capital is flowing, but how technology, legal, and financial innovation are getting capital “unstuck” and flowing to areas of greatest need.

• ​Panel

  • ​Sarah Kearney, CEO of Prime Coalition

  • ​Robbie Heeger, CEO of Endaoment

  • ​Alex Fang, Cofounder and Executive Director of RoundZero

  • ​David Sternlicht, Head of Expansions at Ethic (Moderator)