Donors
How the Wealthy Use Charity to Build Wealth
You’re earning more than $350,000 annually. You want to give generously. But at 32% to 44% in federal and state taxes, the cost of giving feels prohibitive. The ultra-wealthy know you don’t have to choose between impact and financial security.
The High Earner’s Dilemma
You’ve worked hard to build your income. You care about causes that matter. But when you’re already paying hundreds of thousands in taxes, writing a $50,000 check to charity feels like it costs you $50,000.
What if that same gift could:
- dramatically reduce your current tax burden,
- put cash back in your pocket,
- build wealth for your family,
- and direct hundreds of thousands—or millions—to charity?
This is what billionaires and ultra-wealthy families have been doing for decades.
How the Wealthy Do It
Sophisticated charitable giving strategies have been the domain of the ultra-wealthy for a simple reason: until now, they required expensive legal teams, tax specialists, and wealth advisors coordinating complex structures.
We’ve removed those barriers. You get the same strategies, the same tax benefits, the same wealth-building potential—without the institutional complexity or coordination headaches.
Our clients are busy professionals—doctors, executives, business owners, lawyers—who want to give generously but need the tax efficiency to make it work within their financial plans. They’re not looking for shortcuts. They’re looking for intelligent strategies that align their values with their wealth.
Strategies We Offer
We work with you across a full range of sophisticated giving tools. Each serves different goals and circumstances. We help you identify which tools fit your situation.
Bargain Sales
Sell an asset to charity for less than fair market value. You receive cash from the sale, a charitable deduction for the gift portion, and only pay capital gains tax on the portion sold.
Charitable Gift Annuities
Make a charitable gift and receive fixed payments for life. You get an immediate tax deduction, a portion of each payment is tax-free, and you enjoy guaranteed income backed by the charity’s assets.
Charitable Gift Financing
Borrow to make a major charitable gift, use 75% of your tax savings to fund life insurance as loan collateral, and keep 25% as cash. The loan requires no payments during your lifetime and carries minimal personal risk.
Charitable Lead Trusts
The trust makes payments to charity for a set term, then returns remaining assets to you or your heirs. You receive an immediate tax deduction and reduce or eliminate gift and estate taxes.
Charitable Remainder Trusts
Transfer appreciated assets into a trust that pays you income for life, receive an immediate tax deduction, and eliminate capital gains taxes. The remaining assets pass to charity when the trust term ends.
Deferred Gift Annuities
Make a gift now, receive an immediate tax deduction, and begin receiving payments at a future date you select. The deferred start date results in higher annual payout rates than immediate annuities.
Donation of Nonvoting Stock / Units in Closely-Held Businesses
Donate nonvoting shares in a family business or closely-held entity. You receive a charitable deduction based on appraised value, maintain voting control, and remove the asset from your taxable estate.
Endowment & Fund Management
Establish a permanent fund that generates income to support charitable purposes in perpetuity. Your contribution is invested, earnings support your designated cause, and the principal remains intact.
Fiscal Sponsorship Programs
Partner with an established public charity to accept contributions for projects that don’t have tax-exempt status. Donors receive immediate tax deductions and projects access funding without forming separate nonprofits.
Gifts of Appreciated Assets
Donate stock, real estate, or other appreciated property directly to charity. You avoid capital gains taxes entirely and receive a charitable deduction for the full fair market value.
Life Insurance Policy Gifts
Donate an existing life insurance policy you no longer need or purchase a new policy naming charity as beneficiary. You receive a tax deduction and remove the policy from your taxable estate.
Pooled Income Funds
Contribute assets to a pooled fund managed by a charity and receive income based on annual earnings. You receive an immediate tax deduction and benefit from professional investment management without the complexity of individual trusts.
Qualified Charitable Distributions
If you’re 70½ or older, transfer up to $100,000 annually from your IRA directly to charity. The distribution counts toward your required minimum distribution but is excluded from your taxable income.
Supporting Organizations
Establish a charitable entity that supports public charities while maintaining significant influence over operations. You receive immediate tax deductions and avoid the regulatory burden of private foundations.
Ready to See What These Strategies Could Mean for You?
Most high earners don’t know these strategies exist. The ones who do often think they’re out of reach, but they’re not.
We’ll walk you through exactly how these tools work for your specific situation and offer clarity on what’s possible.