H. Daniel Heist, PhD, MA

Cohort: 2015-2016

Advisor: Dr. Ram A. Cnaan

Dan Heist is a doctoral student at the School of Social Policy and Practice at the University of Pennsylvania. He conducts research on charitable giving, fundraising, and volunteering. Currently, Dan is using a longitudinal, national data set to study donor advised funds – an emerging trend in philanthropy in the United States. He also conducts economic experiments to test charitable giving behavior. Prior to seeking a doctorate, Dan worked for nine years as a professional fundraiser, and was a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). He earned an MA in Philanthropic Studies from Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University and a BA from Penn State University.