Helping Clients Leave a Legacy Through Charitable Giving

For many clients, charitable giving isn’t just about taxes, it’s about values, stories, and the mark they leave behind. 

I asked members of the Trust & Will Contributor Panel how they start these conversations and what happens when generosity becomes part of a client’s estate plan. Their insights show that legacy planning isn’t reserved for the ultra-wealthy, it’s for anyone who wants their impact to last.

Start with stories, not spreadsheets

Al Faber, CFP®, Founder of DIWY Financial Planning, often opens the conversation with a memory. “My grandmother left Bibles to her longtime church,” Al shared. “Twenty years later, my kids can still open them and see her name. That's a legacy they can touch.”

Stories like these shift the focus from numbers to meaning. Once clients connect emotionally, it becomes easier to explore tangible ways to express their generosity, such as memorial bricks, plaques, or scholarship funds that keep their presence alive in the places they loved.

Advisor move: Ask, “Where should your generosity be visible 10 or 20 years from now?” This question reframes giving as legacy, not loss.

Make generosity easy to act on

Clients rarely say they don’t want to give, they just don’t know where to start. That’s where accessible tools like donor-advised funds (DAFs) or qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) come in.

“DAFs have become a big thing for my clients,” said Charles Thomas III, CFP®, Founder of Intrepid Eagle Finance. “Most let you name a legacy advisor who directs future giving, so the next generation practices generosity without deciding whether to keep the money or give it away.”

Ryan L. Goldschmitt, WMCP, Founder of Geminus Wealth Partners, echoed that sentiment: “When clients move dollars into a DAF, the decision is made—the funds are irrevocably charitable. The question becomes, ‘Where should it go?’ not ‘Should we give?’”

QCDs can also create immediate impact. For retirees, directing IRA distributions to qualified charities can satisfy RMDs and lower taxable income, while giving clients a sense of purpose in the present.

Advisor move:

• Help clients define a charitable budget (e.g., “$10,000 per year” or “5% of income”).

• Walk them through DAF setup and how to name a legacy advisor.

• Review QCD eligibility and timing for IRA clients 70½ or older.

Use bequests to solve real problems

Bequests aren’t only for grand gestures, but they can also ease logistical burdens. Charles shared a client who restored classic cars as a lifelong hobby. “His kids had no interest in cars and dreaded the idea of selling them,” he explained. “We decided to donate the collection to a nonprofit that handles specialty asset intake. It honored his charitable intent and saved his family from a major headache.”

Advisor move: Identify assets that heirs may not want (art, collections, vehicles) and explore nonprofits equipped to handle them. Aligning charitable gifts with problem-solving makes giving practical and purposeful.

From intent to impact: what to document

Once clients commit to giving, clarity is everything. Encourage them to write down:

• Organizations & purpose: who benefits and how funds should be used.

• Vehicle: DAF, QCDs, or direct bequest through Trust & Will.

• Funding amount or percentage: clear numbers avoid confusion later.

• Successor guidance: who will steward grants after their lifetime.

• Communication plan: whether the charity should be informed now or later.

Even a one-page memo with these notes can prevent future friction and ensure the client’s intentions are carried out smoothly.

Conversation starters that work

• “If we set aside your annual generosity in a DAF now, which causes would you want your kids to keep supporting later?”

• “What would you like your grandkids to see or touch that still has your name on it 20 years from now?”

• “Are there assets your family doesn’t want to manage? A charitable bequest could turn that into an opportunity to give back.”

The payoff when generosity becomes part of the plan

When clients view generosity as part of their family identity, the benefits ripple outward, creating continuity, easing decision-making, and strengthening relationships. 

As Ryan put it, a DAF turns intent into action: “The money is already charitable, now the question is where it should do the most good.”

For advisors, weaving generosity into estate planning isn’t just good strategy. It’s good stewardship, helping clients define the legacy they want to leave, one thoughtful gift at a time.

Trust & Will’s Nonprofit Platform runs on EstateOS, the intelligent infrastructure that powers estate planning for individuals, advisors, and institutions. While the platform is built for nonprofits, it reflects the same mission advisors share, helping clients’ charitable intentions become lasting, measurable impact through smarter legacy giving.

Interested in partnering with Trust & Will to enhance your own clients’ estate planning needs? Learn more about how you can join over 17,000  financial advisors and firms who are delivering peace of mind to their clients by offering a comprehensive estate planning solution. Schedule a free demo today.

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