“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” — John Lennon
Over time, however, life changes, and so does the community around us. Families grow, financial circumstances shift, priorities evolve, and our community faces new challenges. Organizations your client cares about may expand their missions or collaborate with other nonprofits tackling similar needs. Just as financial and estate plans benefit from periodic review, your client’s charitable plan deserves an occasional checkup as well.
If it has been a few years since you’ve revisited your client’s charitable goals, consider reaching out to the Foundation team. We’d be happy to serve as a sounding board for you and your client as you review your plan. Examples of questions to have your client reflect upon include:
Are the causes I support today the same causes I cared about ten years ago?
Many donors find that their interests evolve over time. They may have become passionate about education, environmental conservation, healthcare, animal welfare, faith-based initiatives, or other causes that were not top priorities years ago.
Does my charitable plan still reflect my family’s values?
Children and grandchildren often develop interests and perspectives of their own. Many families discover that charitable giving provides a meaningful opportunity to discuss values, generosity, and community impact across generations. The result is that families want to adjust their charitable priorities to reflect the interests of the family’s next generation.
Have I reviewed my retirement account beneficiary designations recently?
Perhaps they’ve already worked with you to update beneficiary designations on their retirement plans. Even so, it’s a good idea to review those documents every few years to be sure nothing is missing. And if they’ve not yet named their fund at the Foundation or another charity as a beneficiary of IRAs and other retirement accounts, it’s worth exploring because of the potentially meaningful tax benefits of these arrangements. Be sure to ask about whether this technique could be a fit for them, and reach out to the Foundation team to help set their intentions in motion.
Do I know how local needs have changed?
Communities are constantly evolving and ours is no exception. While many longstanding needs remain, new challenges and opportunities often emerge over time. New opportunities to make a difference pop up every year, and learning about them can inspire your clients to get involved. The Foundation is a valuable resource to provide not only the big picture of what’s going on in our region but also specific examples of how nonprofits are meeting the most pressing community needs.
Am I making this as easy on myself as possible?
Your clients want to experience the joy of giving—not add administrative layers! Many donors appreciate opportunities to simplify their philanthropy. Whether through a donor-advised fund, another type of fund at the Foundation, or a combination of funds designed to achieve different goals, the right structure can make giving more organized and enjoyable.
Remember that updating their charitable plan does not necessarily require major changes. Sometimes a simple conversation with the Foundation team is enough to confirm that everything remains on track. Other times, donors discover opportunities to strengthen their impact, engage family members, or support causes in new ways.
We are always happy to help them review their charitable goals with you and explore ways to ensure that their philanthropy continues to reflect their values, their family, and their hopes for the future. We look forward to our next conversation!
