Invest in Others Chief Development Officer Nicole Morgan shares insights with InvestmentNews on donor-advised funds, family philanthropy, and the important role financial advisors play in helping clients create lasting charitable impact
As year-end charitable giving season approaches, financial advisors have an opportunity to help clients think beyond tax deductions and financial transactions to focus on something more meaningful: the values, causes, and communities that matter most to them.
In a recent InvestmentNews practice management article, “Charitable Giving Starts with Values, Not Tax Breaks, Advisors Say,” Invest in Others Charitable Foundation Chief Development Officer Nicole Morgan joined industry experts to discuss how financial advisors can help clients turn charitable intentions into meaningful, lasting impact.
Moving Beyond the Transaction
With donor-advised fund (DAF) assets reaching nearly $328 billion and new charitable deduction rules taking effect in 2026, charitable giving remains an important component of financial planning. But while DAFs offer a tax-efficient vehicle for philanthropy, Nicole emphasizes that establishing and funding an account is only the first step.
“Funding a donor-advised fund is only the beginning. The impact happens when those dollars move into the organizations and communities a client cares about.”
Nicole encourages advisors to build relationships with nonprofit development professionals and help clients explore not just where they want to give, but what they hope their generosity will accomplish.
By connecting clients with the organizations and causes they care about, advisors can help transform charitable giving from a financial transaction into an opportunity for lasting community impact.
Strengthening Relationships Through Family Philanthropy
The article also explores the role charitable giving can play in engaging the next generation and strengthening multigenerational client relationships. As families consider how to pass wealth and values from one generation to the next, philanthropy offers a meaningful opportunity to bring family members together, explore shared priorities, and create a lasting legacy.
Nicole notes that younger generations often bring new perspectives and causes to family giving conversations. Advisors who encourage this dialogue can strengthen relationships across generations while helping families develop philanthropic traditions that evolve over time.
Helping Financial Advisors Grow Their Charitable Impact
We believe financial advisors have an extraordinary opportunity to make a difference, both through their clients’ philanthropy and through their own charitable leadership. Our mission is to amplify, celebrate, and inspire the charitable work of financial advisors, recognizing the important role they play in strengthening nonprofits and communities nationwide.
Whether through donor-advised funds, strategic charitable giving, nonprofit partnerships, or corporate sponsorship, we are committed to helping the financial services community turn generosity into meaningful action.
Connect with Nicole Morgan
Interested in exploring how charitable giving can become a more meaningful part of your client relationships or your organization’s philanthropic strategy?
Interested in learning more? Contact Nicole Morgan at Invest in Others to explore opportunities such as:
- Donor-advised funds and strategic philanthropy: Opportunities to connect charitable resources with meaningful community needs.
- Charitable giving and nonprofit engagement: Ways to deepen relationships with nonprofits and help create lasting impact.
- Corporate sponsorship and partnerships: Opportunities for financial services firms and industry partners to support the mission and programs of Invest in Others.
- Supporting advisor charitable leadership: How Invest in Others works with financial advisors to recognize, fund, and grow their charitable contributions to communities.
Together, we can help grow the charitable impact of financial advisors and the organizations they support.
Interested in learning more? Contact Nicole Morgan at Invest in Others to explore opportunities for charitable giving, sponsorship, and partnership.
