Giving Insights

As a professional advisor, you’ve likely seen a shift in how clients think about legacy. More families are moving beyond the traditional “leave everything to heirs” mindset and asking broader questions about stewardship, purpose, and long-term impact. That shift creates an opportunity for deeper planning conversations. Regular estate plan reviews remain essential. Not just to […]

For advisors, recent tax law changes may feel like old news. For many clients, however, the implications are only now becoming clear. As awareness grows, charitable planning conversations are becoming more important than ever. Several changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act are reshaping how clients approach giving: A new floor on itemized charitable […]

As charitable planning becomes more integrated into family wealth strategies, one question is surfacing more often: What happens to charitable assets when a marriage ends? For many couples, philanthropy reflects shared values and long-term goals. But in divorce, those charitable assets, whether donor advised funds, trusts, or a private foundation, can become part of broader […]

March 3, 2026

By Ashley Coldiron, Chief Development Officer As an attorney, CPA, or financial advisor, you probably work with several clients who own a family business. You’ve likely also considered the role of strategic philanthropy in family business succession planning to help clients get ready for an eventual exit. So how does strategic philanthropy actually play out […]

March 3, 2026

By Jody Dilday, Philanthropic Advisor Recent rulings reinforce a familiar but critical message: charitable tax benefits depend on strict compliance. Strict substantiation matters.In Gibson v. Commissioner, a substantial noncash charitable deduction was disallowed—not because the gift lacked charitable intent, but because substantiation requirements were not met. Contemporaneous acknowledgments, qualified appraisals, and Form 8283 thresholds are […]

March 3, 2026

By Lesley Roberts, Philanthropic Advisor Because its Women’s History Month, March offers a natural moment to reflect on the evolving role of women in philanthropy. According to Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy’s Women Give 2024: 20 Years of Gender & Giving Trends, women are increasingly leading charitable decisions. This happens both gradually, as […]

February 5, 2026

A few thoughtful steps early in the year can bring focus and confidence to your giving: Review your 2025 giving. We can help you understand the impact of your past gifts, identify patterns, and explore opportunities for the year ahead. Talk with your advisors early. New tax laws make early coordination especially important. This is […]

February 5, 2026

A new year presents an excellent opportunity to check in on your charitable giving priorities. This is the case every year, but it is especially important in 2026 because of a few new tax laws that may impact charitable giving strategies for some people. Here are the changes that you’ll want to be aware of, […]

Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) come up frequently in planning conversations, but the logistics can feel complex. Here’s a concise example to illustrate how to navigate them with confidence. Scenario: Margaret, age 74 and a longtime client, schedules a meeting to discuss charitable giving. She recently began taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) from her IRA and […]

The end of 2025 triggered an intense wave of charitable planning as high earners sought to maximize deductions before the 0.5% AGI “floor” and 35% “cap” took effect on January 1, 2026. Donor-advised funds (DAFs) played a major role, allowing clients to contribute assets in 2025 for optimal tax results, then recommend grants in future […]