• If clients want to make a bigger impact, you should discuss the best way to align their investments with their giving mission. Some donor-advised fund providers, like Impact Assets, allow the funds to hold impact investments. That allows donors to preserve and grow their giving dollars while optimizing their social and environmental impact, aligning their investments with their grant mission and strategy.
• From time to time, have your clients review their mission, vision and strategy. You must remain nimble to respond to changing needs from the charities your clients support. If new family members are joining in the donor-advised fund giving, incorporating their voice and interests in the mission and strategy will be critical.
Advisors have a unique opportunity to ensure that their clients have the tools and resources they need to maximize the strategic impact of contributions from their donor-advised fund. If you seize this opportunity, you will naturally deepen and enhance your relationships with clients and serve as a bridge to the next generation of clients.
Betsy Brill , an internationally recognized expert in philanthropy, is president and co-founder of Strategic Philanthropy, Ltd., in Chicago. She will be speaking at FA’s Invest In Women conference in April.
Maureen Johannigman is a senior advisor at Strategic Philanthropy.