A Personalized Approach to Philanthropic Planning
At Greater Houston Community Foundation, we’re passionate about helping individuals and families like yours achieve their philanthropic goals. Whether you’re just starting to explore the world of philanthropy or have been a long-time supporter of our community, our team provides personalized service and guidance every step of the way.
What is philanthropic planning? Does it have to be personalized?
Philanthropic planning is the strategic process of aligning your charitable giving with your personal values, financial goals, and long-term vision for community impact. Unlike transactional giving, philanthropic planning allows you to consider how charitable contributions fit within your broader financial plan, and create a comprehensive charitable giving financial planning strategy.
At its core, philanthropic planning answers essential questions: What causes matter most to you? How can your giving create lasting change? What legacy do you want to leave for future generations? By working with experienced advisors who understand both the philanthropic landscape and the essential financial considerations, you can develop a giving strategy that maximizes the financial benefits and your charitable impact.
Our personalized approach to giving
When you meet with our team, you can expect a warm, welcoming, and professional experience. We know that every individual and family has a unique story and set of goals, and we’re committed to listening carefully to understand your intentions and aspirations. Our team will work closely with you to:
- Understand your philanthropic priorities and areas of interest.
- Help you establish a donor advised fund or other type of fund that aligns with your values and goals.
- Provide guidance on how to make the most of your charitable giving, including tax strategies for charitable giving and asset utilization. Strategic planning can also maximize your charitable giving tax deduction, particularly when you work with knowledgeable advisors who understand IRS regulations and timing strategies.
- Serve as an efficient administrative solution by handling the logistics of your charitable giving allowing you to focus on your philanthropic mission.
- Provide educational opportunities to help you stay informed and engaged in our community and learn from others.
- Customized research and consulting to address your most pressing needs and questions.
What you can expect from our philanthropic advisors
When you meet with our team of philanthropic advisors, you can expect:
| Customized philanthropic solutions tailored to you |
| When you engage with our team of philanthropic advisors, you’re embarking on a personalized journey toward impactful charitable giving. Unlike the impersonal systems of large institutional donor advised fund platforms, where dedicated support is often scarce, our team is committed to providing you with individualized attention and expert guidance every step of the way. Whether you prefer a one-on-one consultation or wish to involve your legal, tax, or financial advisors in our discussions, we’ll work collaboratively to assess your unique circumstances and craft the most effective charitable tax strategy tailored to your needs. |
| Collaboration with your current financial advisors and other professionals |
| We recognize that you likely already have trusted relationships with financial advisors, estate attorneys, CPAs, and other professionals who understand your complete financial picture. Our philanthropic advisors are experienced in collaborating with your existing advisory team to ensure your charitable giving strategy integrates seamlessly with your overall financial plan. |
| Understanding your philanthropic aspirations |
| Our philanthropic advisors take the time to explore the causes that resonate most deeply with you—be it the arts, health care, social services, environmental conservation, education, or community development. Additionally, we strive to understand the role you envision for the successor advisors named in your fund documentation. This dialogue is crucial as it ensures that those you’ve entrusted with your legacy, such as your children, are prepared to uphold your philanthropic intentions long after you’re no longer able to manage the fund yourself. |
| Expanding your philanthropic portfolio |
| As we navigate your charitable ambitions, our experienced team may uncover opportunities to establish additional funds that align with your giving goals. Many fundholders find value in creating complementary funds—such as designated funds for specific nonprofit organizations or unrestricted funds to support the overarching mission of the community foundation in perpetuity. Often, donors choose to make recurring contributions across multiple funds, thereby diversifying their philanthropic impact and meeting various community needs. |
| Streamlined administrative support |
| Navigating the administrative aspects of philanthropy should be straightforward, and we ensure that it is. Our commitment is to simplify the paperwork process, whether you’re updating an existing donor advised fund, establishing a new fund, or expanding your portfolio with additional fund types. We will prepare concise and clear documentation that articulates your intentions, collects essential contact details, and reflects your vision for your fund or funds during your lifetime and beyond. |
| Strategizing for maximum impact |
| As you review your financial landscape alongside your advisors, we encourage you to consider the potential advantages of contributing appreciated assets to your fund. Such gifts can yield notable capital gains tax savings, making them ideal for enhancing your philanthropic impact. Donating appreciated stock and other securities allows you to avoid capital gains taxes while receiving a charitable deduction for the full fair market value of the assets. Our team is ready to collaborate with you and your advisors to facilitate contributions of diverse assets, including closely held stock and real estate, while guiding you through the necessary appraisal and documentation processes. |
| Connecting you with community and learning opportunities |
| We believe that ongoing education and connection are vital aspects of effective philanthropy. During our meetings, we will give you a calendar of upcoming programs, curated for our partners and fundholders, to enrich your understanding of a variety of important causes and to keep you informed about community developments. By working with the Community Foundation and engaging with fellow fundholders, you’ll be empowered to stay current on various impactful initiatives and discover new avenues for support. |
Our dedicated team of philanthropic advisors is here to elevate your philanthropic journey, ensuring that your giving creates lasting change in the communities you cherish most.
Can strategic planning increase charitable tax deductions?
Yes, strategic planning can significantly increase your charitable tax deductions when approached thoughtfully and with expert guidance. The key lies in understanding how different giving strategies interact with tax law and timing your contributions to maximize benefits. Some common strategies you might use to take advantage of available tax deductions and breaks include:
- Bunching contributions
- Timing high-income years
- Utilizing donor advised funds
- Exploring giving from retirement fund
- Donating appreciated assets rather than cash
Effective philanthropy doesn’t exist in isolation—it should be fully integrated with your comprehensive wealth planning strategy. Whether your focus is on preserving wealth for future generations, managing complex assets, or creating a balanced approach to family inheritance and charitable giving, we help you align your giving with your wealth planning objectives.
Personalization is even more critical for estate planning
While personalized service matters in all aspects of philanthropy, personalization is uniquely important for estate planning, where your charitable intentions must be precisely documented and legally structured to ensure they’re carried out according to your wishes.
Our team works closely with you and your estate planning professionals to incorporate estate planning charitable donations that reflect your values and provide maximum benefit to both your estate and the causes you support. We understand that estate planning involves deeply personal decisions about legacy, family, and the future—and we approach these conversations with the sensitivity and expertise they deserve.
What is philanthropic planning? Does it have to be personalized?
At Greater Houston Community Foundation, we’re proud to be a trusted partner for individuals and families who are committed to making a difference in our community. We believe that every person has the power to create positive change, and we’re dedicated to helping you achieve your philanthropic goals.
If you’re already a fundholder, we’re grateful for your trust and commitment. If you’re ready to start your philanthropic journey, we look forward to continuing the conversation! Contact Kevin Pickett to learn more about how we can help you achieve your philanthropic goals.
More Helpful Articles by Greater Houston Community Foundation:
- The Great Tax Sunset: What Donors Need to Know
- How To Make a Bequest to a Donor Advised Fund
- Donor Advised Funds Tax Benefits
- How To Maximize Charitable Deductions
- Donating Art to Charity: Rules, Valuations, and Tax Benefits
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