Give back thoughtfully with charitable giving strategies

Philanthropy can bring personal satisfaction, enabling you to support causes and organizations that matter most to you. It can result in significant tax advantages, as well – including income tax deductions, reduction of capital gains taxes and lower estate taxes. We can help tailor a charitable giving plan for you that can include one or more of the following forms:

Outright gift

Benefits charities immediately and creates a gift tax deduction.

Will or trust bequests and beneficiary designations

Through your will or trust document, or beneficiary designation form, the charity will receive the gift upon your death. Your estate is then entitled to income and estate tax deductions.

Charitable trust

You can name a charity as the sole beneficiary or name other, noncharity beneficiaries as well (making a partial charitable gift). The most common types of trusts used to make partial gifts are charitable lead trusts and charitable remainder trusts.

Private family foundation

You create a foundation and transfer assets into it. The foundation then makes grants to public charities. You and your descendants have complete control over which charities receive grants. (Unless you contribute enough capital to generate funds for grants, the costs and complexities may outweigh its benefits.)

Community foundation

A community foundation accepts donations from many sources and is overseen by individuals familiar with the community's needs and professionals experienced at running charitable organizations.

Donor-advised funds

A fund held within a charitable organization. Once you transfer assets to the account, the organization becomes legal owner of the assets and has ultimate control. You may advise, but not direct, how your contributions will be distributed.