WOW. Cooper Young Festival was absolutely incredible last week.

We’re still buzzing from the energy of the morning pancakes, Byway Coffee, and Old Dominick Bloody Marys — and the afternoon hot dogs from Monogram Foods, then those sides from St Clair Foods and beer from Wiseacre didn’t hurt either. The bouncy house was bumpin’, and all day long we saw neighbors and new friends laughing, connecting, and celebrating this city we love.

We live for days like this — not just because they’re fun (though they are so much fun) — but because every gathering, every cup of coffee, and every conversation is a chance to build a stronger Memphis. When we bring people together, we’re not just making memories. We’re activating people into purpose.

Which brings me to today’s topic:

Did You Know You Can Use a Donor Advised Fund to Support Memphis?

If you’re like most people, you’ve heard the term “Donor Advised Fund” (or DAF) once or twice and thought… what is that?

Let’s break it down:

A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) is like a charitable savings account. You donate cash or assets to the fund, get an immediate tax deduction, and then recommend grants from that fund over time to nonprofits like City Leadership.

It’s flexible, simple, and strategic.

Here’s how it works:

Why It Matters for Memphis

There are millions of dollars sitting in Donor Advised Funds in Memphis right now — and so much of that is just waiting to be released.

What if some of that untapped generosity could go straight into the heart of this city — into:

Give901, funding the teachers, schools, and mentors shaping future Memphians.

Choose901 Alumni, empowering the next generation of leaders.

Teach901, helping educators stay in the classroom and thrive.

We all know what investments in education lead to:
💥 Less poverty
💥 Less crime
💥 Better health outcomes
💥 Stronger communities

It’s all statistically proven. Better education changes everything. And you can help make that happen — now.

Still Don't Know What a DAF Is?

Click the link if you'd like to learn more about Donor Advised Funds 👇

Learn more

Here’s Your Chance to Double Your Impact

This year, a national movement called #HalfMyDAF is offering a unique opportunity for DAF donors to double the impact of their giving.

What’s #HalfMyDAF?

It’s a challenge started by Jennifer and David Risher to move more money now from donor advised funds into nonprofits that are doing life-changing work.

The Challenge:
If you commit to giving away half of your DAF by September 26, 2025, your grants are eligible for a dollar-for-dollar match — up to $5,000 per grant.

And there’s more:
Four nonprofits will be randomly selected for bonus matching up to $25,000.

That’s right. Just by making a grant from your DAF to City Leadership , you could double your impact AND help us win a bigger match.

Learn more

Here’s How You Can Take Action

Make a grant to City Leadership through your DAF sponsor’s site.
(Minimum $250 to be eligible for a match.)
Download or screenshot your grant confirmation.
Submit the #HalfMyDAF commitment form:
Go to halfmydaf.com
Commit to giving away at least half your DAF by Sept 26, 2025
Attach your City Leadership grant confirmation
🗓 Submit by September 26, 2025.

Commit Now

Let’s Do This, Memphis

We love a good party. But at the end of the day, it’s all about purpose.

If you’ve got a DAF — or know someone who does — this is the moment to put those dollars to work.

We don’t want to wait 10 years to make change happen. Let’s do it now.

How to double your impact