Integrating Philanthropy and Financial Planning

Understanding where your money meets your mission is crucial both for your financial health and for building the kind of legacy that feels lived, not just left behind. As I’ve said before, legacy is a verb — and one we practice every day.

When we align our financial picture with our philanthropic values, we’re not just crunching numbers, we’re building a life that reflects what matters most. Integrating giving into your financial strategy creates a deeper kind of wealth, one measured in dollars and impact. You can give generously and sustainably; you don’t have to pick just one.

Here’s the thing they don’t teach you in school – there are several ways to shape your giving vision and build it into your budget. Here are a few strategies philanthropists often use:

• Monthly budget allocation – Most frequently used, this method treats giving like any other recurring expense that builds consistency and makes generosity a habit.

• Annual percentage of income – Committing a portion of your income each year (say 3%, 5%, or 10%) keeps your giving aligned with your financial capacity and evolving income and goals.

• Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) – For those 70½ or older, QCDs let you donate directly from your IRA to a qualified charity, reducing taxable income while creating impact.

• Appreciated stock donation – Skip the capital gains tax and amplify your impact by donating long-held stocks or mutual funds instead of cash.

• Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) – Contribute a larger sum to a giving account, get the tax deduction up front, and then recommend grants over time. They’re flexible, strategic, and tidy.

No matter which route you take, setting an annual giving target, one that reflects both your financial situation and your charitable goals, helps bring clarity. It’s not about perfection; it’s about being thoughtful.

Then when you look to the organizations you want to support, think balance: meeting today’s urgent needs while honoring long-term commitments. Giving with intention means your dollars can stretch farther, do more, and leave you feeling good in the process.

Working with Professional Advisors

There’s good new here. You don’t have to figure this all out alone. Professional advisors can help turn a vague desire to "give more" or “give better” into a clear, actionable plan that reflects both your values and your spreadsheet.

• Financial Advisor
  A financial advisor with philanthropic know-how helps you integrate giving into your broader financial goals. They can walk you through accounts, timing, and strategies to make your generosity efficient and impactful.

• Accountant
  Your accountant ensures your charitable giving is accurately reported and tax-smart. Think: deductions, timing, and making sure Uncle Sam sees your generosity the way you intend.

• Estate Planning Attorney
  An estate attorney helps make sure your giving intentions live on with the proper language in your will or trust, and clear plans for what happens to your assets (and your values) after you're gone.

• Philanthropic Advisor
  A philanthropic advisor helps you define what matters most, identify the right causes and partners doing that work, and craft a giving strategy that feels aligned and energizing — not overwhelming.

Taking Action

Take a moment: What does your current giving strategy look like? Is there an advisor you’ve been meaning to loop in? A family conversation you’ve been postponing?

We’re halfway through 2025 which is a great time to pause and check in. Which causes still feel most important to you? Are you supporting them in a way that feels satisfying and sustainable? Might there be opportunities to deepen your impact or simplify how you give?

Bringing your financial and philanthropic goals into harmony isn’t a one-time task, it’s an evolving practice. The most effective plans are the ones that reflect your real and ever changing life: your values, your capacity, your timing.

And remember, generosity doesn’t have to be grand to be meaningful. Every intentional act of giving is a step toward doing GOOD in the world. Legacy isn’t something you leave behind. It’s something you live into every day.