Giving Can Be Part of the Bigger Financial Picture

When you think about charitable giving, the first questions that come to mind may be fairly straightforward:

How much do I want to give?
Which organizations or causes do I want to support?

Those are important questions. But they aren't always the only ones worth asking.

Charitable giving can intersect with several other pieces of your financial life, including your investments, retirement income, taxes, and year-end planning.

That's why it can be helpful to think about giving not as a separate financial decision, but as one part of the bigger picture.

What You Give Can Matter, Too

Writing a check or making an online donation may be the simplest way to support an organization you care about.

But cash isn't the only asset that can potentially be used for charitable giving.

Depending on your circumstances, you may also want to explore strategies involving appreciated securities, distributions from an IRA, or a donor-advised fund.

For example, someone who owns an investment that has increased significantly in value may want to compare donating eligible appreciated shares with selling those shares and donating the cash.

Someone age 70½ or older may want to explore whether a Qualified Charitable Distribution from an IRA fits into both their charitable and retirement-income planning.

And someone who wants to make a charitable contribution now while recommending grants to eligible charities over time may want to learn more about a donor-advised fund.

The right strategy depends on your goals, financial picture, and applicable tax rules. But the important point is simple:

How you give can deserve just as much thought as how much you give.

Look for the Connections

Sometimes two financial decisions that appear separate are actually worth discussing together.

Perhaps an investment has grown significantly and now represents a larger portion of your portfolio than you intended.

At the same time, charitable giving is already part of your plan.

Those circumstances don't automatically mean you should donate the investment. But they may create an opportunity to ask whether your charitable and portfolio goals overlap.

The same idea can apply to retirement distributions, tax planning, and other financial decisions.

Instead of beginning with a particular strategy, begin with the bigger questions:

What am I trying to accomplish?

What has changed in my financial picture?

What giving do I already intend to do?

Are there decisions I'm currently treating separately that might be worth considering together?

Those questions can lead to a much more useful planning conversation.

Why Starting Before December Matters

Charitable giving often gets extra attention near the end of the year.

But waiting until December to begin thinking about it can create unnecessary pressure, particularly if your plan may involve transferring investments, coordinating with a financial institution, or consulting with your tax professional.

September gives you something December doesn't:

time.

Time to consider what you want your giving to accomplish.

Time to review your financial picture.

Time to ask questions.

And time to coordinate the details before making a decision.

You don't need to have your entire year-end plan figured out today. But if charitable giving is already on your mind, this is a good time to start the conversation.

Ready to Talk It Through?

If charitable giving is already part of your year-end plans - or the guide raises questions about how giving may fit alongside your investments, retirement income, or broader financial picture, we can help you look at the pieces together.

Wisdom Financial is a DBA of John Boyer, Inc.  Fee‐based advisory services offered through John Boyer, Inc, a Registered Investment Advisor. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP® in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

This material is for educational purposes only and is not intended as tax or legal advice. Charitable-giving strategies and their tax treatment depend on individual circumstances and applicable rules. Consult your tax and legal professionals regarding your specific situation.