Why do you think it’s important to bring up the topic of charitable giving to your clients?
Some clients are naturally philanthropic, motivated by a genuine desire to support causes they care deeply about—both during their lifetime and through their estate plans. It is important not to assume that family considerations will always take precedence over charitable goals. Other clients approach financial and estate planning with a strong emphasis on tax efficiency, and charitable giving can offer meaningful advantages in that regard. As a financial advisor, I want to ensure clients are informed about the potential benefits of charitable giving and let them determine whether it’s the right fit for them – without feeling pressured. For individuals who value both philanthropy and tax planning, charitable strategies are often a natural and powerful fit.
How do you learn about your client’s charitable interests?
When we understand a client’s inclination toward charitable giving early in the planning process, we are better positioned to design a financial and estate plan that aligns with their personal values and long-term objectives. This is a topic we intentionally raise with every client. Gaining insight into a client’s charitable interests allows us to recommend strategies that help ensure those intentions are ultimately fulfilled. Without clearly communicating charitable goals to a trustee or executor, even well-intended plans may go unrealized at the end of life.
What questions or ideas about charitable giving do you find resonate the most with your clients?
Among charitable planning strategies, those that reduce a client’s tax burden tend to resonate most strongly. One of the most commonly used tools among our clients is the Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). A QCD allows individuals age 70½ or older to donate up to $111,000 (for 2026) directly from an IRA to a qualified charity without the distribution being included in taxable income. Unlike most Traditional IRA distributions, which are taxed as ordinary income, QCDs are tax-free. As a result, clients who do not need their full Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) for living expenses often direct all or a portion of their RMD to charity through a QCD—creating a meaningful benefit for both the donor and the organization receiving the gift.
Tell us about your experience with the Community Foundation and why you’d refer your clients to us.
I have worked with the Community Foundation for more than twenty years while helping individuals and families in our community achieve their financial goals. Over that time, I have developed a deep appreciation for the Foundation’s mission and the dedication of the people behind it. Having served for over a decade on the Foundation’s investment committee, I have firsthand knowledge of the seriousness with which it approaches its fiduciary responsibilities to donors. The Community Foundation is an underappreciated cornerstone of our community, and I will continue to share the story of the important work it does.