To give away money is an easy matter…and in any [person’s] power. But to decide to whom to give it, and how large and when, for what purpose and how, is neither in every [one’s] power nor an easy matter.
-Aristotle
In our thirty years of assisting clients with complex planning, including countless conversations advising clients on integrated wealth management, we have gained the insight that until all aspects of a client’s financial picture are fully integrated, most individuals and families do not confidently engage in philanthropy.
This is as true of a family with $5 million in investable assets as it is the person with $100,000. Sometimes even the most financially secure investors have fears about their financial future that restrain their giving activity. Because these investors have not fully planned, they accumulate resources in fear that they do not or will not have enough. Integrative planning helps to frame such fears, giving individuals and families the opportunity to explore how they might optimally deploy their wealth – and many have charitable interests in mind.
An optimal integrated financial plan incorporates aspects of philanthropy, and likewise, an optimal philanthropic plan is rooted in an effective and integrated wealth management process. We have, therefore, found ourselves uniquely positioned to help clients find greater fulfillment in their philanthropic endeavors. They have succeeded in raising their level of satisfaction in the giving experience, while also increasing the monetary value of their gifts–benefiting the recipient organization and those that they serve. Opportunities are unlocked for both the donor and the charitable organization.
We engage clients in an intentional process that seeks to understand their objectives, identify available resources and formalize their intentions. We then apply technical expertise that utilizes the most appropriate assets, tools and methods to direct charitable gifts. We consider timing, tax optimization and utilize tools that may include charitable remainder trusts and donor advised funds. We enjoy working with clients as they endeavor to be intentional about giving–and we hope you’ll contact us if we can help you. At the end of the day, it is about helping to make sure you are able to use your wealth to accomplish what is most important to you.