What is Gift Planning?
Gift planning, sometimes called planned giving, is simply a thoughtful way to align your charitable giving with your personal values and your financial and family goals. It allows you to support the causes you care about while also taking care of yourself and the people you love.
With a bit of planning and the right guidance, many people discover they can make a more meaningful gift than they ever imagined, either during their lifetime or as part of their estate. These gifts can be made now or arranged for the future, and they often involve assets beyond cash, such as appreciated securities, real estate, retirement accounts, business interests, life insurance, or other valuable property. Some approaches even combine an immediate gift with a future one, helping your generosity go further over time.
Why People Choose Gift Planning
People are often surprised to learn how many benefits gift planning can offer. Thoughtful planning can help you:
- Make a larger impact on the work of the nonprofits you care about, now or in the future
- Receive potential tax benefits, including charitable income tax deductions, estate tax savings, or the ability to reduce or avoid capital gains taxes
- In some cases, create a reliable stream of income for yourself or a loved one
- Support family members or heirs while also making a meaningful charitable commitment
Every plan is different, and what works well for one person may look very different for another. The common thread is intentionality: giving in a way that reflects your priorities and circumstances.
Types of Gift Plans
There are many ways to structure a planned gift, and options can often be combined to meet your needs. Common approaches include:
- Outright gifts of assets
- Qualified charitable distributions (QCDs)
- Bequests through a will or trust
- Retirement plan beneficiary designation gifts
- Charitable life income plans
- Charitable lead trusts
- Donor advised funds (DAFs)
- Charitable life estates
- Zero-tax gift and sale arrangements
To explore these options in more detail, we invite you to visit our How to Give page.
Finding the Right Fit for You
The best gift plan is one that fits your life. Your personal goals, family considerations, and financial picture all play an important role in determining which options may be right for you.
Gift planning is less about complexity and more about clarity and purpose.
Let's Start the Conversation
If you're curious about how gift planning might work for you, we're here to help. We would welcome the opportunity to learn more about your goals and explore options together, at your pace and with no obligation.
