DAFs Decoded: A Practical Guide for Nonprofits
DAFs are showing up more often in nonprofit fundraising—but they don’t have to feel confusing. Join Marian Kaanon and Melissa Van Diepen from Stanislaus Community Foundation for DAFs Decoded, a practical session to help nonprofits better understand donor‑advised funds and strengthen donor relationships.
SPACE IS LIMITED TO 30 - Register ASAP
When: March 5, 2026
Where: Stanislaus Community Foundation, 100 Sycamore Ave #200, Modesto
Lunch, Networking & Announcements 12:00-12:15, followed by the presentation.
AFP membership not required.
AFP Members may bring a guest free of charge once each year.
AFP Members: $15.00
All others: $25.00
Lunch is included.
Please register using Paypal, or email afpyosemite@gmail.com by March 3, 2026, 4:00pm
About the Speakers:
Marian Kaanon
Marian Kaanon is the President & CEO of Stanislaus Community Foundation. A first-generation Assyrian American, Marian was born in Iraq. She immigrated with her family to Canada at age 7, and then the U.S. as a high school student.
After graduating from UC Davis, Marian began a career that spanned broadcast journalism, public affairs and nonprofit management. Marian joined Stanislaus Community Foundation as CEO in late 2012. Stanislaus Community Foundation is a place-based funder that provides grants and scholarships to community organizations in Stanislaus County. To date, the organization has invested over $63 million in local nonprofits and over $3.4 million in scholarships to students.
During Marian’s tenure, Stanislaus Community Foundation has quadrupled its assets under management and tripled its grantmaking. Stanislaus Community Foundation leads initiatives and supports programs in education, economic opportunity and civic engagement. Stanislaus Community Foundation co-founded the Cradle to Career Partnership, a multi-sector movement aimed at boosting outcomes for more than 110,000 children and young adults in the region. Coming out of the pandemic, Stanislaus Community Foundation launched Stanislaus 2030, an inclusive economic development sprint focused on creating quality jobs, which secured over $20M in state and federal funds in the local region.
In 2015, Marian was named an Outstanding Woman for Stanislaus County. In 2017 Marian was named the Distinguished Alumna of the Year for Modesto Junior College. In 2018, Marian was the recipient of the Modesto Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service award. In 2022 she received the Champion of the American Dream Award, established at Stanislaus State University by the Porges family to recognize entrepreneurial leadership in the community. Marian serves on the Board of Trustees for Doctors Medical Center, Dave Wilson Nursery, the nation’s largest industry-leading fruit, nut, and shade tree nursery, and Northern California Grantmakers. She currently chairs the Board of Directors for the League of California Community Foundations.
Melissa Van Diepen
Melissa Van Diepen, CFRE, serves as the Chief Philanthropy Officer at Stanislaus Community Foundation. A proud "Valley Girl" raised in Fresno, she holds degrees from Fresno City College and California State University, Fresno. Melissa has built her career around organizations with a strong commitment to service and community impact.
Her professional journey began in 1997 at The Modesto Bee, where she managed newsroom research and operations while launching ModMomsClub, an interactive platform for local mothers. In 2011, she transitioned to the nonprofit sector with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. There, she significantly expanded the Team In Training program, growing its revenue by 127%, while also launching three endurance training initiatives and an ambassador program in the North San Joaquin Valley.
In 2015, Melissa joined Community Hospice Foundation as a Major Gifts Officer and rose to Executive Director by 2018. Under her leadership, the Foundation raised $1.3 million annually to support end-of-life care and grief services for adults and children.
Melissa stepped into her current role in 2021 at Stanislaus Community Foundation, a place-based funder that has invested over $66 million in grants and scholarships across Stanislaus County. She leads asset development and marketing efforts to expand the organization's impact.
A Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE), Melissa has served as President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Yosemite Chapter, co-chair National Philanthropy Day, and is a Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum. She lives in Modesto with her husband, Doug, and has two daughters.