GLOSSARY

charitable giving

Charitable giving, in the context of financial advisors is a wealth management strategy that allows investors to donate assets—including appreciated securities, real estate, and other holdings—to qualified charitable organizations while optimizing their investment portfolio and tax efficiency.

Charitable giving and investment portfolios

Tax-efficient giving

Investors can donate appreciated securities directly from their portfolios to avoid capital gains taxes that would otherwise be triggered by selling. This approach allows donors to contribute at full market value while eliminating embedded gains—a particularly valuable strategy for long-held positions or highly appreciated stocks.

Donor-advised funds (DAFs)

A popular vehicle for portfolio-focused donors, DAFs allow investors to contribute appreciated assets, receive an immediate tax deduction, and distribute to charities over time. The funds are invested and can grow tax-free, providing a way to build charitable capital while maintaining investment flexibility.

Charitable remainder trusts (CRTs)

These vehicles enable investors to transfer appreciated securities into a trust, receive income distributions during their lifetime, and have remaining assets go to charity. This strategy creates liquidity for concentrated stock positions while generating ongoing income and tax benefits.

Portfolio rebalancing

Charitable giving can serve as a portfolio management tool, allowing investors to donate underperforming or unwanted holdings while maintaining their target asset allocation—without incurring capital gains on the disposition.

Wealth transfer planning

For investors managing significant portfolios, charitable giving strategies integrate with broader estate planning, allowing them to reduce taxable estates while supporting causes aligned with their values.

The latest charitable giving news

Displaying 407 results
DAFs are the gift that keeps on giving
DAFs are the gift that keeps on giving

Donor-advised funds offer many benefits, including tax deductions and the potential for asset growth.

Faith-based investing on the rise as world grows more chaotic
RIA NEWS NOV 03, 2023
Faith-based investing on the rise as world grows more chaotic

ESG may have dominated the headlines, but faith-based investing has steadily – and quietly — been on the rise.

BofA report reveals easing of wealthy households' charitable giving
RIA NEWS OCT 04, 2023
BofA report reveals easing of wealthy households' charitable giving

Fewer affluent US households donated and the amounts were smaller.

Roth IRAs, 401(k)s for all? Not so fast, advisors say
Roth IRAs, 401(k)s for all? Not so fast, advisors say

While Ed Slott urged readers to stop contributing to traditional tax-deferred accounts, others take a more nuanced view.

Schwab Charitable donors give record amount despite rocky market
Schwab Charitable donors give record amount despite rocky market

Its donors surpassed 1 million individual grants to charities for the first time in the organization’s history, Schwab said.

How the end of affirmative action could hurt financial advice
How the end of affirmative action could hurt financial advice

Diversity among financial advisors is currently lacking, and the Supreme Court's ruling is unlikely to help.

Slott urges moving money from traditional IRAs and their tax ‘stench’ to Roth IRAs
Slott urges moving money from traditional IRAs and their tax ‘stench’ to Roth IRAs

Now's a good time to take the tax hit on transfers out of an individual retirement account because rates are low.

Tax-loss harvesting produces bumper crop of charitable cash contributions
Tax-loss harvesting produces bumper crop of charitable cash contributions

Cash donations represented 40% of allocations to donor-advised funds at Vanguard Charitable in the seven months ended in January, up from 29% in the same period a year earlier.

7 Ways to Create an Exceptional High-Net-Worth Client Experience
RIA NEWS MAR 01, 2023
7 Ways to Create an Exceptional High-Net-Worth Client Experience

If you’re a financial advisor seeking to work with more high-net-worth clients, you need to have an arsenal of resources, products, and services to meet their expectations—and exceed them. Here are seven tools you’ll want to consider.

Orion reveals ChatGPT integration at Ascent conference
FINTECH FEB 28, 2023
Orion reveals ChatGPT integration at Ascent conference

An integration with Redtail Speak, a compliant texting service, is just the beginning of the company's plans to bring artificial intelligence into its technology.

Here’s how inflation and philanthropy could give women a boost in ’23
Here’s how inflation and philanthropy could give women a boost in ’23

Philanthropic goals are prompting women to become more involved in family asset management.

5 secrets of savvy philanthropists
OPINION DEC 20, 2022
5 secrets of savvy philanthropists

Here’s a look at strategies that today’s advisers are using to enhance the charitable giving of their clients and their foundations.

Inflation, bear market means donors need to dig deep, says Morgan Stanley Foundation president
RIA NEWS DEC 12, 2022
Inflation, bear market means donors need to dig deep, says Morgan Stanley Foundation president

The president of the Morgan Stanley Foundation says the current uncertain economic environment is a challenge for many individuals and families, and of course for nonprofits as well.

Giving funds in IRAs to charity with QCDs
IRA ALERT DEC 09, 2022
Giving funds in IRAs to charity with QCDs

A qualified charitable distribution is a direct transfer of traditional IRA funds to a qualified charity.

Don't give up on charitable giving just yet
MUTUAL FUNDS DEC 05, 2022
Don't give up on charitable giving just yet

A bear market and inflationary pressures may have many Americans feeling less wealthy lately, but not necessarily less generous.