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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 leading non-profit and donor-advised fund sponsor cited exponential growth in giving, particularly among long-term philanthropic investors.
Despite the low costs in the Thrift Savings Plan, there are often more pros than cons to doing rollovers to IRAs, financial professionals tell InvestmentNews.
Fidelity Charitable study finds an opportunity for advisors amid knowledge gap on tax-smart planning strategies.
Many Gen Zs and Millennials are unsure about how to give tax efficiently.
The five-advisor group based in Santa Rosa, California operates a full-service ensemble practice with tax, retirement, estate planning, and other high-net-worth services.
The Pennsylvania-based team led by a nearly 40-year veteran of the industry is launching their own independent firm in affiliation with Sanctuary Wealth.
Wealth managers weigh in on the pros and cons of dealing with family office managers instead of directly with clients.
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Schwab's charitable giving initiative marks 31% increase from 2023.
The national independent wealth firm has acquired a $272M planning team in Farmington, pushing its client assets past $85.7B.
Asking clients why they're satisfied helps advisors plant stories that lead to referrals, a report from Capital Group found.
The new name reflects desire to attract a new generation of donors.
The integration partnership will help more advisors weave philanthropy into their clients’ planning with Tifin Give’s advanced technology.
'What surprises me is not what is negotiated for larger clients, but how little some advisors charge for smaller clients.'
InvestmentNews speaks with Whittier Trust’s VP of business development.
