Set yourself apart, deepen your client relationships

Growth in charitable giving over the last decade has been dramatic (see chart at right). Virtually all high-net-worth individuals need a charitable planning strategy - yet they are not typically receiving advice from their advisor in this area.¹

Showing your clients ways to give more strategically by integrating their philanthropic goals into their financial, tax, and estate planning can help boost their tax benefits and make the most of their charitable contributions.

Discussing your clients’ giving and the way it fits into an overall plan also demonstrates another way you can bring value to your relationships.

Because many of your high net-worth clients are currently giving to charity, this is an opportunity you shouldn't ignore. When you help clients give more effectively, they'll thank you — and you'll distinguish yourself from the competition.

Benefits to you and your practice

Discussing charitable planning with your clients can help you:

• Anticipate the needs of your most valuable clients. Many of your clients may be interested in discussing charitable planning. By taking a proactive approach and introducing this important topic, you can help determine the most appropriate giving solutions.
• Maintain a competitive advantage. High-net-worth individuals are actively seeking advice on charitable planning. If you don't talk to them about it, they may find an advisor who will.
• Connect with clients on a more personal level. Discussing charitable and legacy planning with your clients can help you create deeper connections and potentially lead to new relationships with future generations.

Benefits to your clients

When you incorporate giving into your clients' overall wealth management plans, they may benefit from:

• An effective way to give. Many Americans support charities inefficiently, without a strategy or a plan. You can show clients how to put discipline around their philanthropy in the form of a structured giving plan.
• A more holistic approach to wealth management. You can help your clients reduce their current income and estate taxes and also help provide for retirement income while they give to charities.
• An easy way to pass on family values. Help clients support the causes they care about most, while they are establishing a legacy and tradition of giving that can be passed on to younger generations.

Giving in the U.S. has increased dramatically over the last three decades. In 2007 alone, Americans gave over $306 billion to charity.²

Growth in Charitable Giving ($ Billions)