As a financial advisor, you regularly review investment portfolios, retirement plans, and tax strategies with your clients—but do you include philanthropy in your annual planning meetings?

Many clients have charitable goals, but lack a structured approach to giving efficiently and maximizing impact. That’s where an Annual Charitable Check-Up comes in. By making philanthropy a proactive conversation, you can help clients align their giving with their financial strategy, optimize tax benefits, and create a lasting legacy.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to conducting an Annual Charitable Check-Up with your clients.

1. Start with the Big Picture: Review Charitable Goals

Key Question: Has anything changed in your charitable priorities over the past year?

🔎 What to Discuss:
✅ Are they still passionate about the same causes, or have new ones emerged?
✅ Did they make donations last year that were meaningful?
✅ Would they like to involve family members in their giving?
✅ Are they considering legacy planning or charitable bequests?

Why It Matters: Clients’ personal values and financial situations evolve. An annual check-in ensures their giving strategy remains aligned with their current goals and life changes.

2. Evaluate Last Year’s Giving and Tax Impact

Key Question: How did last year’s charitable giving affect your tax situation?

📊 What to Review:
✅ Total donations made and tax deductions claimed.
✅ Type of donations (cash, stocks to Donor-Advised Fund contributions vs. direct gifts).
✅ Charitable deductions vs. standard deduction—Should they consider bunching donations?
✅ IRS compliance—Did they properly document all charitable contributions?

Why It Matters: Reviewing past giving helps determine if clients maximized their tax efficiency and if adjustments are needed for this year’s strategy.

3. Optimize Giving for the Year Ahead

Key Question: Are there smarter ways to structure your giving this year?

💡 Tax-Smart Giving Strategies:
✅ Donor-Advised Funds  – Recommend a Donor-Advised Fund for clients who want tax benefits now but flexibility in grantmaking later.
✅ Appreciated Assets – Suggest donating stocks, mutual funds, or cryptocurrency to avoid capital gains taxes while maximizing deductions.
✅ Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) – For clients over 70½, remind them they can donate directly from their IRA to charity, satisfying Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) tax-free.
✅ Bunching Donations – High-income clients may benefit from grouping multiple years’ worth of donations into one tax year to exceed the standard deduction.

Why It Matters: Many clients are not aware of the tax-efficient giving strategies available. Proactively guiding them adds value to your advisory relationship.

4. Incorporate Philanthropy into Estate & Legacy Planning

Key Question: How do you want your philanthropy to extend beyond your lifetime?

🏛 Long-Term Giving Options:
✅ Charitable Bequests – Including a charity in their will or trust.
✅ Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs) – Providing income for heirs while supporting charities.
✅ Naming a Successor for a Donor-Advised Fund – Ensuring their giving legacy continues.

Why It Matters: Estate planning is a critical moment for philanthropy. Helping clients integrate charitable giving into their legacy plans ensures their wealth aligns with their values.

5. Assess Impact & Engagement with Nonprofits

Key Question: Are you happy with the impact of your donations?

📢 Ways to Engage Beyond Writing a Check:
✅ Serving on a nonprofit board.
✅ Setting up a family giving tradition.
✅ Supporting local or grassroots organizations for direct impact.
✅ Connecting with charity leaders to ensure funds are used effectively.

Why It Matters: Many clients want to be more engaged in their philanthropy but don’t know where to start. Encouraging active involvement deepens their commitment to giving.

6. Set an Action Plan for the Year Ahead

Key Question: What are the next steps for your charitable giving plan?

📅 Creating a Giving Calendar:
✅ Set donation goals for the year.
✅ Plan for tax-efficient contributions (appreciated assets to a DAF).
✅ Identify upcoming major financial events (business sale, inheritance) that might trigger charitable planning opportunities.
✅ Schedule a mid-year check-in to reassess.

Why It Matters: A structured plan helps clients stay committed to their philanthropic goals while making their giving more intentional and strategic.

Final Takeaway: Make Philanthropy a Core Part of Wealth Planning

Many clients want to give more but lack a structured approach. By incorporating an Annual Charitable Check-Up into your advisory practice, you can:

✔ Strengthen your client relationships.
✔ Help clients maximize their impact and tax efficiency.
✔ Position yourself as a trusted philanthropic advisor.

Are you ready to help your clients grow their charitable legacy? Start the conversation today.