Bank of America and Zelle have announced a partnership that will allow donors to transfer charitable grants from donor‑advised funds (DAFs) directly to nonprofit organizations through the Zelle network, eliminating the multi‑week, paper‑based process that has traditionally delayed grant funding.
The new capability is being rolled out through Bank of America's Charitable Gift Fund, the bank’s own DAF platform. Zelle processes more than $1 trillion in payment volume annually, while Bank of America’s CashPro platform handles over $1 trillion in commercial payments, underscoring the scale of the infrastructure that will support the new service.
"For nonprofits, deploying their resources quickly and effectively matters – whether responding to community needs or scaling vital services. By partnering with Zelle to develop this innovation, we’re giving both donors and nonprofits a more modern and responsive way to take in and make use of charitable contributions," said Donald Greene, Donor‑Advised Fund Executive at Bank of America Private Bank.
"Zelle is a staple of the American economy and Americans are ready for it to do more. Through Zelle® Forward, we are advancing practical new applications of the Zelle network, and this charitable grant delivery capability represents the first of many ways Zelle will continue to innovate and grow," added Denise Leonhard, general manager of Zelle.
The partnership is expected to expand to other financial institutions that offer Zelle and DAF programs, and the Charitable Gift Fund distributed over 100,000 grants totaling $1.3 billion in 2025, demonstrating the program’s reach and impact.
The content on EveryTicker is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. We are not financial advisors. Consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. Any actions you take based on information from this site are solely at your own risk.