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 413 results
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.

DAF payout bill stalls in Congress
MUTUAL FUNDS DEC 05, 2022
DAF payout bill stalls in Congress

The Senate and House bills will both die at the end of the year if they are not approved. It’s not clear whether sponsors will reintroduce them in January.

How to keep elderly clients safe from scams this holiday season
How to keep elderly clients safe from scams this holiday season

There are many ways financial advisers can protect elderly clients from financial abuse. The first trick is to spot it.

Implementing direct indexing using sector ETFs
OPINION NOV 30, 2022
Implementing direct indexing using sector ETFs

It can be hard to keep direct-index portfolios from 'drifting' from their benchmark index as stocks are swapped in and out.

Givers kept giving despite bear market, says report on donor-advised funds
RIA NEWS NOV 16, 2022
Givers kept giving despite bear market, says report on donor-advised funds

Donor-advised funds' grants to charities around the world were up 60% this year compared to pre-pandemic 2019 and have increased 400% over the past decade, according to the report. 

Foundations stepped up and opened pocketbooks during pandemic
RIA NEWS OCT 26, 2022
Foundations stepped up and opened pocketbooks during pandemic

Endowments at private foundations saw double-digit growth in both 2020 and 2021, rising $1.7 billion last year.

Wealthy shift billions to donor-advised funds to gain tax breaks
RIA NEWS OCT 04, 2022
Wealthy shift billions to donor-advised funds to gain tax breaks

Private foundations are using the funds to sidestep federal laws designed to make sure the wealthy donate money to the needy in a timely fashion, not delay the gifts for generations.

Financial advisers debate the best way to charge clients
Financial advisers debate the best way to charge clients

A new generation of advisers is critiquing traditional AUM fees and advocating for alternatives.

Charitable giving isn't falling despite growing economic worries: Fidelity
RIA NEWS SEP 20, 2022
Charitable giving isn't falling despite growing economic worries: Fidelity

Nearly 60% of Fidelity Charitable donors plan to give more in 2022 in light of current economic volatility, study says.

Charitable giving bouncing back with market, says BNY Mellon Wealth Management
Charitable giving bouncing back with market, says BNY Mellon Wealth Management

The number and total dollar amount of charitable gifts increased 10% last year, and the average gift size also spiked.