A Holistic Approach to Philanthropic Advising: How We Work with Other Advisors
Effective philanthropy doesn’t happen in a vacuum. For individuals and families looking to align their giving with their financial and legacy goals, collaboration among key advisors is essential. At Grant Philanthropic Advisors, we take a holistic approach, working closely with wealth advisors, tax and estate planning attorneys, and CPAs to ensure that philanthropy is integrated seamlessly into a client’s broader financial and legacy planning.
Bringing the Right Experts to the Table
Every philanthropic journey is unique, and the most effective giving strategies require input from multiple perspectives. By working alongside a client’s existing advisory team, we help navigate the complexities of charitable giving, ensuring that financial, tax, and legal considerations are aligned with the client’s philanthropic vision and tied to their motivational values.
Navigating Giving Vehicles
One of the key aspects of philanthropic advising is determining the right giving vehicle. Whether it’s a private foundation, donor-advised fund (DAF), charitable remainder trust, or direct giving, each option carries different benefits, legal implications, and levels of control. Our role is to help clients clarify their goals and work in partnership with financial and legal advisors to implement the most effective structure.
Partnering with Wealth Advisors
Philanthropy is an integral part of many clients’ financial strategies, whether they are planning for tax-efficient giving, legacy building, or multi-generational engagement. Wealth advisors play a critical role in ensuring that charitable giving is aligned with investment strategies and long-term financial plans. By working together, we help clients balance their philanthropic goals with wealth preservation and growth. For example, if a client decides they want to start a private foundation, our team works in partnership with the wealth advisor to determine a path and timeline for establishing the foundation and the payout rate based on the corpus, projected interest and charitable contributions.
Collaborating with Estate Planning Attorneys
For many families, philanthropy is a key element of estate planning. Whether structuring bequests, creating charitable trusts, or establishing multi-generational giving plans, estate planning attorneys ensure that charitable intentions are legally sound and aligned with a family’s broader estate strategy. Our collaboration ensures that philanthropic plans reflect both values and legal best practices. Oftentimes, we work with clients who are looking to bring the next generation of the family to the family giving table. Doing so requires reflection on what matters most to the family and the legacy of the primary donors. Engaging in philanthropy together across generations is rewarding and provides a special opportunity to make a collective impact.
Engaging CPAs for Tax-Efficient Giving
Tax considerations often shape philanthropic decisions, and CPAs are essential partners in ensuring that giving strategies maximize benefits for both the donor and the causes they support. Whether optimizing deductions, navigating complex tax codes, or structuring charitable contributions to minimize tax burdens, CPAs help ensure that generosity is also financially strategic. Knowing what’s possible for our clients to contribute to their favorite charities while also living within their means requires a commitment from all advisors to work together.
The Client at the Center
When all advisors come to the table with the client at the center of the conversation, the result is a cohesive and well-executed philanthropic strategy. Rather than working in silos, we believe in a collaborative model where financial, legal, and philanthropic expertise intersect to create a plan that maximizes impact while aligning with broader financial and legacy goals.
Maximizing Impact, Strengthening Communities
At the end of the day, philanthropy is about more than transactions—it’s about transformation. When we take a holistic approach to advising, clients are empowered to give with greater confidence, ensuring that their generosity is both strategic and sustainable. And when philanthropy is done well, communities thrive.
If you are interested in learning more about how this collaborative approach has worked for our clients and their advisors, we’re happy to share with you and your advising team.
About Grant Philanthropic Advisors:
We’re an independent, Charleston-based firm helping clients to focus and maximize their philanthropy—in turn, strengthening the fabric of our communities. Founded in 2019, we help donors move from responsive patterns of giving by assisting clients to identify values and become more strategic in their philanthropy. Our goal is to help donors to become more effective as change-makers.
We work with foundations (large and small staff teams), donor advised fund holders, multi generational families, individuals, philanthropy supporting organizations and corporations to design philanthropic strategies. We work with philanthropies that grant $1 million to $40 million annually. Our clients span the Southeast with a concentration in Charleston, Atlanta and Charlotte.