The Diamond Podcast for Financial Advisors

The Diamond Podcast for Financial Advisors


Not Just Charity: How Donor Advised Funds Help Advisors Add Value and Assets

August 28, 2025

With Julia Healey, CEO of United Charitable

Overview

Julia Healey, CEO of United Charitable, shares insights on DAFs, their value to clients, and the potential positive impact they can have on an advisor’s business.

Listen in…

> Download a transcript of this episode…

NOTE: The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Diamond Consultants. Neither Diamond Consultants nor the guests on this podcast are compensated in any way for their participation.

About this episode…

This episode serves as both an educational session and a business development strategy around Donor Advised Funds, or DAFs.

You’ve likely heard of them, maybe even worked with one—but chances are, you’re not maximizing their potential.

Because DAFs aren’t just for high net worth and ultra-high net worth clients. And while they offer a philanthropic path for clients’ wealth, the value goes well beyond.

When used correctly, DAFs can help strengthen client relationships, attract new assets, and create a genuine sense of impact and purpose for clients at all wealth levels.

Julia Healey knows this space inside and out. As the CEO of United Charitable, she works with financial advisors and clients every day to unlock the full value of DAFs—not just from a tax and estate planning perspective, but from a relationship and growth perspective, too.

In this episode, we cover:

  • How DAFs actually work—and what makes them so accessible.
  • The biggest misconceptions—and why they’re not just for the mega-wealthy.
  • How advisors are using them to differentiate—and build trust.
  • The value of working with a firm like United Charitable—and how they help financial advisors make a greater impact with their clients.
  • And what it looks like when you give clients a real path to be a philanthropist.

Whether you’re new to the concept or looking to refine how you present DAFs, this episode offers a practical, insightful take on an often-overlooked tool.

Want to learn more about where, why, and how advisors like you are moving? Click to contact us or call 908-879-1002.

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Julia Healey
CEO

Julia Healey is the Chief Executive Officer of United Charitable, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting philanthropic efforts through donor-advised funds and fiscally sponsored programs. With a background in finance and accounting, she earned a B.S. in Business Administration, an MBA in Finance, and a Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate from Georgetown University.

Though she began her career path in finance, Julia’s direction shifted after witnessing firsthand the inequities in access to education and resources. Inspired to make a difference, she combined her financial expertise with a deep commitment to social impact—ultimately leading her into the nonprofit world.

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