Philanthropy

Including the next generation in a family's charitable activities helps advisors build a relationship.

Even the wealthiest can't give to every worthy cause. Here's how advisors can help evaluate the options.

Schwab reported $742 million in donations to charities for 2013, a 36% increase compared to 2012 and its largest percentage jump in more than five years.

The Foundation for Financial Planning has named four new members to its board of trustees.

Here's how to help clients maximize both the charitable and tax benefits of any donation.

Advisors don't often discuss philanthropy with clients. Here's why that's a money-losing mistake.

Increased taxes on long-term capital gains has renewed interest in trusts that can sell donated assets, avoid tax, and pay a stream of income to the donors.

Advisors, attorneys and accountants are increasingly recommending donor-advised funds to clients interested in charitable planning. Here are some questions advisors should ask fund sponsors when helping clients select the right one.

The most important reason to engage in pro bono work is to help those who are in need of free advice. But pro bono work can also pay off in other ways.

Almost half (46%) of advisors believe their clients donate to charity to reduce their taxes, when in fact only 10% do.

Most advisors offer their services to the wealthy. The people honored here provide planning help to clients who can least afford it - and need it most.

Here’s how one advisor encourages philanthropic efforts of his clients by being a philanthropist himself.

Among the very wealthy, family foundations long have been a common vehicle for charitable giving. However, more families than ever are skipping foundations altogether in favor of simpler and cheaper donor-advised funds.

“People are starting to think more strategically about giving,” says Schwab Charitable President Kim Laughton. “It really started last fall. What’s nice is it’s continuing this year.”

Charitable lead annuity trusts have become even more attractive because of a recent U.S. Tax Court ruling.

Karla D'Alleva Valas, a managing director of the Complex Asset Group for Fidelity Charitable, says she cringes during her church's services when congregants drop envelopes of what she assumes is cash into the donations basket. Why? Cash is expensive, she told advisors at the Women Advisors Forum in Dallas on Thursday.

Financial advisors underestimate their clients’ interests in philanthropy, and consequently miss out on opportunities to tap into those passions and expand those relationships.

The Financial Planning Association and the Foundation for Financial Planning are joining forces to boost the organizations’ pro bono efforts.

The Internal Revenue Service is warning potential donors to beware of charity scams operating in the wake of the explosions last week at the Boston Marathon and a Texas fertilizer plant.

A group representing charitable organizations said it is concerned about a proposed cap to the charitable tax deduction included in President Obama's budget plan.