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
Should you take a cue from Mark Zuckerberg's generous philanthropic plan?

New research shows giving time and money in one's later years could even be the key to retirement happiness.

Giving the missing link to retirement happiness?

Zuckerbergs' generous philanthropic announcement may spark client conversations about donating time and money, which research shows can boost retiree fulfillment.

Cutting clients' tax liability becomes top of mind for advisers as tax season opens
RIA NEWS NOV 10, 2015
Cutting clients' tax liability becomes top of mind for advisers as tax season opens

<i>InvestmentNews</i> webcast panel says charitable giving, mutual fund capital gains distributions and RMDs key issues to cover.

Jeb Bush tax plan would set investment taxes at 20%, eliminate deductions
RIA NEWS OCT 14, 2015
Jeb Bush tax plan would set investment taxes at 20%, eliminate deductions

The presidential candidate also would eliminate so-called &#8220;carried interest&#8221; that allows private equity and hedge fund partners to pay capital gains taxes rather than ordinary income taxes on their share of fund profits.

Advisers and corporations pitch in for vital causes
RIA NEWS OCT 06, 2015
Advisers and corporations pitch in for vital causes

The Invest in Others Charitable Foundation and <i>InvestmentNews</i> announce the finalists for the ninth annual Community Leadership Awards.

RIA NEWS AUG 18, 2015
Wealthy want more than a tax break from charitable donations

Wealthy Americans think more strategically about their charitable gifting than one might expect. About three-quarters of donors in a new survey said driving forces included an interest in lowering capital gains taxes or being able to give more to charities by using donor advised funds.

RIA NEWS AUG 05, 2015
Trump tax plan takes a page from other Republicans

Eliminates carried-interest deduction, reduces top bracket on wealthiest Americans.

EQUITIES AUG 03, 2015
Make sustainable investing a New Year's resolution

Advisers can attract new clients if they keep abreast of the socially responsible investing trend.

Reality of the robo invasion isn't what advisers think
FINTECH JUL 27, 2015
Reality of the robo invasion isn't what advisers think

While many believe that robos keep advisers up at night, findings from a new study show a very different reality.

Charitable giving finally surpasses pre-crisis levels

Bequests jump thanks to generous giants including former Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Everything you need to know about setting up a private foundation
Everything you need to know about setting up a private foundation

Prospective donors will want to be ready to give both their money and their time.

Establish a gifting strategy while you pull your taxes together

5 steps to help you decide what to give and to whom

These funds can help you avoid donation headaches
These funds can help you avoid donation headaches

Three-quarters of donors say donor-advised funds help them lower capital gains taxes or give more to charities.

RIA NEWS JUN 10, 2015
As charity season nears, time to review clients' donor-advised funds

Five steps clients can use to guide their donor-advised fund contribution checkup, which can help maximize financial and tax-planning benefits and make charitable giving more enjoyable.

Use charitable giving to offset bull market gains
Use charitable giving to offset bull market gains

Year-end donations can help mitigate next year's tax bite.