The Ultimate Play Money: Why Your DAF Should Be Angel Investing

Angels Decoded is now the Play Money Podcast, and we’re kicking off the new format with our first guest.

More than $300 billion sits in donor-advised funds across the US, already given away and already tax-deducted, and most of it is parked in index funds earning fees for folks like Fidelity and Vanguard.

Patrice Brickman runs Inspire Access, a 501(c)(3) that moves that idle capital into women and underrepresented founders. You grant the money as you would to any charity, Inspire Access makes the investment, and returns flow back into your DAF to be used again. Patrice calls it renewable philanthropy.

The anchor story is what she and Cheryl built together. DAF money usually moves in $25,000 or $50,000 blocks, so they cracked a way to land it on Play Money as a personal impact fund, letting donors write small checks across a portfolio. The breakthrough came mid-Zoom, Patrice with foils in her hair and Cheryl hauling a bag of rice. Getting started takes one form, and if the money has already left your pocket, the risk to you is zero.

Episode outline

• •How a DAF really works: donate, take the deduction, then invest that same money in startups
• •The flipped chart: the seven biggest charities in the country are now donor-advised funds, not the Red Cross or United Way
• •Why the money sits still: donor complacency, and DAF sponsors earning on assets with no reason to remind you
• •Personal impact funds: how DAF money now backs founders in $2,500 checks on Play Money
• •The first step: one five-question form at letsplaymoney.com/daf, then a single dropdown in your DAF

Links
Start here: letsplaymoney.com/daf
Inspire Access: https://www.inspireaccess.org/

Patrice Brickman - https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrice-brickman/

Patrice Brickman is the Founder and CEO of Inspire Access, a nonprofit investing philanthropic dollars into underrepresented founders. She also founded Inspire Capital, a venture fund backing women and minority-led businesses, and sits on the board of Maryland’s TEDCO.

Andy Walsh - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anwalsh/
2x exited founder and host of Startups Decoded (Top 2% globally). Andy helps founders sharpen judgment and build companies through practical experience and operator insight.

Cheryl Kellond - https://www.linkedin.com/in/c2kprofile/
Founder of Play Money and active angel investor. Cheryl focuses on democratizing angel investing and helping new investors build diversified portfolios while supporting founders with practical guidance and community.

Access All Areas.

• •Subscribe letsplaymoney.substack.com
• •Web: letsplaymoney.com
• •Startups Decoded Podcast startupsdecoded.com

Disclaimer
The views and opinions shared on the Play Money Podcast are for informational purposes only and do not constitute investment, tax or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making any financial, tax or legal decisions.