Did you know that 85% of affluent households gave an average of $35,000 to charity in 2022?* This highlights the opportunity to integrate charitable planning to your wealth management strategies. The list below offers simple ways to start meaningful charitable planning conversations with your clients, and related resources to take the discussions further.
Conversation starters
- “Is charitable giving important to you right now, or is it something you’d like to revisit in the future?
- How are you approaching your charitable giving today? Is there anything you would like to do differently?”
Listening cues
- I give to charity every year.
- I’d like to give more, but…
- I want to give back, but I’m not sure where to start.
Related resources
Related Posts:
Powered by Contextual Related Posts
Why it’s important to talk to your clients about charitable giving
Conversation starters
- Would you be interested in learning about charitable strategies to reduce your tax burden?
- Are high taxes a concern for you?
Listening cues
- I want to reduce my tax burden.
- I pay so much in taxes.
Related resources
Conversation starters
- Are capital gains taxes a concern for you?
- As we rebalance your portfolio, are you interested in donating some shares to offset capital gains taxes?
Listening cues
- I want to reduce capital gains taxes.
- I’d like to diversify my portfolio, but I’m worried about taxes.
Related resources
Conversation starters
- If your company goes public, what would you like to do with your IPO shares?
- Now that your employer had its IPO, are you thinking about selling some of your shares?
Listening cues
- My company has given me a lot of shares, and it’s having an IPO soon.
- How can I minimize the taxes when I sell my appreciated shares?
Related resources
Conversation starters
- What are your goals for the proceeds?
- Do you have concerns about capital gains from selling the business?
- Have you considered donating a portion to charity to minimize your taxes?
Listening cues
- I’m planning to sell my portion of the company.
- I don’t really need the money and would like to donate it to charity.
- A sale is planned. I’m concerned about the taxes I’ll pay on the proceeds.
Related resources
Donating privately held business interests
Conversation starters
- Will this life-changing event change your approach to philanthropy?
- As you reflect on how your life is changing, do you have a desire to give back and help others?
Listening cues
- I’m concerned about minimizing taxes.
- I’d like to use this money for things that are important to me.
- I’ve always had a goal of…
Related resources
Conversation starters
- What would you like to do in your retirement?
- It sounds like charitable giving is important to you. Do you have a charitable giving goal?
Listening cues
- I want to give back to my community.
- I plan to volunteer more.
Related resources
Conversation starters
- As you think about retirement expenses, do you want to plan for any charitable giving?
- Do you have assets you plan to sell? How do you want to use the proceeds from those assets?
Listening cues
- I like to give x% of my income to charity.
- I budget $x annually for charitable giving.
- I have a vacation property I want to sell, but I’m worried about capital gains.
- Can I donate to charity using my IRA or 401(k)?
Related resources
Conversation starters
- What is the legacy you want to leave?
- Do you want to gift or leave assets to charity?
- In thinking about transitioning assets, have you considered engaging your family in your philanthropy?
- Do you have any charities designated as beneficiaries of your assets?
Listening cues
- I want to pass down the value of giving back.
- I want to involve my children in my financial decisions.
- I would like to give a portion of my estate to charity.
Related resources
Conversation starters
- Have you considered using philanthropy to help educate your children about money and values?
- Do you want to involve your children in your charitable giving? Do you have any family giving traditions?
- Is a legacy of giving back important to you?
Listening cues
- I want to set up accounts for my children.
- I want to involve my children more.
- I’m thinking of ways to pass along my values or leave a legacy.
- I’m involved with a charity.
Related resources
Conversation starters
- What are you passionate about?
- What charities do you support and why?
- It sounds like charitable giving is important to you. Do you have a specific goal for your giving?
Listening cues
- I’m very active with a charity.
- Can I use my brokerage account to donate money to charity?
Related resources
Conversation starters
- Do you want to be more strategic with your giving?
- Does your giving reflect your values?
- Have you established a charitable giving vehicle to increase your impact?
Listening cues
- I want to use my wealth to make a difference.
- I’d like to align my charitable giving with my investment strategy.
Related resources
For more information, contact DAFgiving360™ or your team at Schwab Advisor Services™
*Source: The 2023 Bank of America Study of Philanthropy: Charitable Giving by Affluent Households
DAFgiving360™ is the name used for the combined programs and services of Donor Advised Charitable Giving, Inc., an independent nonprofit organization which has entered into service agreements with certain subsidiaries of The Charles Schwab Corporation. DAFgiving360 is a tax-exempt public charity as described in Sections 501(c)(3), 509(a)(1), and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) of the Internal Revenue Code.
DAFgiving360 does not provide legal or tax advice. Please consult a qualified legal or tax advisor where such advice is necessary or appropriate.
©2025 Donor Advised Charitable Giving, Inc. All rights reserved. REF (0125-FC52)