DEEPEN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR CLIENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN BY INCLUDING CHARITABLE GIVING IN FUTURE DISCUSSIONS AND PLANS

As a trusted advisor for the entire family, you can ensure that your clients’ philanthropic values are passed on to future generations. Here are some ways you can engage multiple generations in charitable giving:

Start the Giving Conversation Early

Clients who are looking for a way to teach young children to be financially literate and charitable can easily do so with three containers marked spend, save, and share. Your clients can encourage their children to divide their allowance money among each container and then donate the money collected in the share jar to a charity chosen by the child. Coupling the donation with an in-person visit to the charity will make a stronger impact.

Lead a Giving Discussion

You can offer to lead your clients and their children in a discussion about their giving, or provide them with resources to have their own conversation at home. the following questions can help start the conversation:

  • What are you thankful for?
  • What are three things that you wish everyone in the world could have?
  • What do you think would make the world a better place?
  • Which volunteer experiences make you happy? Why?
  • How do you want to give back as a family over the next three months? Over the next year?

Formulate and Document Charitable Plans

The Community Foundation Martin – St. Lucie can help your clients determine what philanthropy means to them. You can recommend that families discuss their charitable motivations, values and interest areas, and ultimately formulate a giving plan.

Involve the Whole Family in Giving through a Charitable Giving Account

If your clients do not already organize and manage their giving through a charitable giving account, also known as a donor-advised fund, consider suggesting it. Financial advisors can manage the assets in the account, and clients can name younger generations as future advisors on the account. Clients may decide to include the entire family in determining where and when to grant from their fund, perhaps setting aside a dollar amount or percentage for younger generations to allocate.