Start Charitable Conversations

Why should you talk to your clients about giving? 

Some advisors are reluctant to begin a charitable giving conversation with their client, and may be concerned about appearing to make a value judgment, especially if the client has not expressed charitable intentions. However, by not broaching the subject of charitable giving, a significant opportunity may be lost for your client and the community. In fact, many individuals expect their professional advisors to bring up the subject if appropriate, and assume charitable giving is not an option if the subject is not raised.

You can help clients realize their charitable goals by listening for charitable giving opportunities, explaining options, and suggesting solutions. Significant giving opportunities often arise when clients are making major business, personal, and financial decisions.

Year-end tax planning

Your client just earned a large bonus and wants to give a portion back to the community, but has no time to decide on the most deserving charities.

Recommend establishing a donor advised fund through the Community Foundation for an immediate tax deduction, and the ability to stay involved in recommending uses for the gift for years to come.

Preserving an estate

Estate planning identifies significant taxes going to the IRS, but your client wants to direct dollars for local benefit.

The Community Foundation can work with you and your client to reduce her taxable estate through a charitable bequest or other planned gift. Your client’s gift will create a legacy of caring in the community that stays true to her charitable intent forever.

Retiring in comfort

Your client is concerned about running out of money during her lifetime, but has always been charitable.

Recommend establishing a life income gift (such as a charitable remainder trust) at the Community Foundation that pays income potentially for life. Upon your client’s death, the gift can be distributed by the Community Foundation in accordance with her charitable interests.

Establishing a private foundation

Your client is thinking about establishing a private foundation, but is looking for a simpler, more cost-efficient alternative.

The Community Foundation can help you and your client analyze the pros and cons of creating a donor advised fund, a supporting organization, or a private foundation.

Closely held stock

Your client’s personal net worth is primarily tied up in a closely held company, but it’s important for her to give back to the community.

Recommend establishing a donor advised fund or planned gift; your client is eligible for a tax deduction measured by the fair market value of appreciated stock (less any planned gift value).

Sale or disposition of highly appreciated stock

Your client has appreciated stock and wants to use a portion of the gains for charitable giving, but the identified charities are too small to accept direct stock gifts.

Suggest establishing a fund at the Community Foundation with a gift of appreciated stock. Your client receives a tax deduction on the full market value, while avoiding the capital gains tax that would otherwise arise from sale of the stock. Your client can even be involved in recommending uses for the gift, including the organizations and programs she cares about most.

Sale of a business

Your client owns highly appreciated stock in a company that is about to be acquired.

The Community Foundation can work with you to suggest several ways to structure a charitable gift (including the use of planned giving techniques) to help your client reduce capital gains tax while maximizing the impact to the community.

Strategic giving

Your client is passionate about helping to meet a specific community need and wants to make a meaningful gift.

You and your client can work with our grantmaking experts to understand community needs and programs and then direct gift dollars to make the greatest impact.

Substantial retirement assets

Your client wants to leave her estate to community and family, and has substantial assets in retirement accounts.

The Community Foundation can help you and your client evaluate the most beneficial asset distribution to minimize taxes, giving more to her heirs and preserving charitable intent.

Next: Alternatives to Private Foundations »