CHARITABLE PLANNING

Gillian Howell

A Foundation Source survey says high-net-worth donors will give the same or more in 2026. And they want advisors’ help.

DVISORS, WE HAVE GOOD NEWS TO REPORT— ESPECIALLY if you’ re seeking new ways to support your wealthier clients.

Foundation Source recently surveyed 350 of its private foundation and donor-advised fund clients about their giving outlooks, priorities and interests. And a huge number, 93 % of them, plan to maintain or increase their charitable giving in 2026, despite economic and political uncertainty. Meanwhile, 25 % of them say that integrating philanthropy into their financial plans could help them give more effectively.

What does this mean for you as wealth managers? It means that donors among your clientele are motivated to give, but many are looking for guidance on how to do so effectively.

By bringing philanthropy expertise into your services, you can help clients fulfill their charitable goals and align them with their investment, tax, and legacy plans— bringing greater coordination and sophistication to their overall financial strategy.

Consider these findings, too, from the same survey: 32 % of the donors said they want to learn more about tax-efficient planning and 35 % believe that clarifying or setting annual giving goals will help their giving improve. Additionally, donors want to learn more about the best practices of giving( something cited by 45 % of the survey’ s respondents), involving family in

Understanding your clients’ interests, passions and priorities for their philanthropy will help you set them on a clearer path as well. philanthropy( cited by 36 %), measuring impact( cited by 33 %), and building a legacy( cited by 25 %).

This data show that donors want a more structured approach to giving— in the way they set goals, prioritize causes and measure results. Here’ s how you can help them do so:

Refine Your Clients’ Giving

As with any set of important goals, a charitable plan needs ongoing attention and regular progress checks to ensure a successful outcome. While year’ s end is typically when people have charitable giving conversations, you benefit more by embedding philanthropy into your practice all year round, and you might consider discussing it regularly with your clients during their quarterly reviews.

Understanding your clients’ interests, passions and priorities for their philanthropy will help you set them on a clearer path as well. Charitable planning presents an ideal opportunity to know your clients— as well as their families— particularly when it comes to their business succession and legacy goals.

According to our survey, donors today are juggling several priorities. While most of those surveyed said they give because they want to make a difference, some also said they give because they want to engage the younger generations of their families. People also want to know that they are making a big impact and that they are able to measure it.

MAY / JUNE 2026 | FINANCIAL ADVISOR MAGAZINE | 19