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

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Advisers need to reinvent how they deal with aging clients, says longevity expert
Advisers need to reinvent how they deal with aging clients, says longevity expert

Consumer expectations about aging and retirement are rapidly changing.

Dynamic philanthropic environment expected through 2020
RIA NEWS APR 15, 2019
Dynamic philanthropic environment expected through 2020

Growth in personal income among the factors behind the boost.

Fidelity wants to own the workplace — and beyond
Fidelity wants to own the workplace — and beyond

Fidelity's new benefits-administration platform signals that the company wants to deepen its client relationships.

Citi wealth management launches digital financial planning
FINTECH MAR 28, 2019
Citi wealth management launches digital financial planning

Product lets clients select their financial goals and create a plan for achieving them

Fidelity creates workplace charitable-giving program
RIA NEWS MAR 25, 2019
Fidelity creates workplace charitable-giving program

Plan sponsors can integrate philanthropy into employee-benefit plan, fund giant says.

Capital gains increase at heart of Democrats' tax-the-rich plans
Capital gains increase at heart of Democrats' tax-the-rich plans

Experts say various Democratic plans for hiking taxes generally come down to increasing the capital gains rate.

Record $5.2 billion given through Fidelity Charitable in 2018
RIA NEWS FEB 15, 2019
Record $5.2 billion given through Fidelity Charitable in 2018

Donor giving was up $700 million from 2017 despite tax uncertainty.

Expanding field of behavioral science provides key insights for advisers
Expanding field of behavioral science provides key insights for advisers

Behavioral finance techniques can help them guide their clients to make not only better investment decisions but healthier financial choices overall.

Top 3 planning moves for advisers under new tax law
Top 3 planning moves for advisers under new tax law

Strategies around charitable giving and business structures appear to be most prevalent as a result of the new regime.

Money in donor-advised funds can make impact before distribution
RIA NEWS NOV 15, 2018
Money in donor-advised funds can make impact before distribution

New study from Cornerstone Capital Group highlights ESG investing and other options within the tax vehicle.

Fix boomers' ESG dilemma with bonds
ALTERNATIVES OCT 08, 2018
Fix boomers' ESG dilemma with bonds

Older investors have the lion's share of investible assets, but their age or need for current income could limit their interest in ESG equity investments.

Super-rich are piling up wealth in black-box charities
Super-rich are piling up wealth in black-box charities

Money flowing into donor-advised funds far outstrips grants being made from the funds.

Super-rich are piling up wealth in black-box charities
RIA NEWS OCT 03, 2018
Super-rich are piling up wealth in black-box charities

Money flowing into donor-advised funds far outstrips grants being made from the funds.

The power of philanthropy shifts to women, and advisers are taking notice
RIA NEWS JUL 21, 2018
The power of philanthropy shifts to women, and advisers are taking notice

Philanthropic women are growing in number — and stature.

Philanthropy a growing part of advisory relationship
RIA NEWS JUL 19, 2018
Philanthropy a growing part of advisory relationship

U.S. Trust study finds clients are less interested in tax benefits than advisers may think.