Charitable Contribution Strategies
Giving in a way that is good for the causes you love and smart for your plan.
For many of the families we work with, generosity is part of who they are long before it becomes part of a plan. Giving to a church, a school, a favorite nonprofit, or a cause tied to a personal story is often one of the most meaningful parts of retirement. Our role is to help that generosity work well alongside everything else you're building, so giving feels intentional rather than incidental.
Starting with what matters to you
Before any strategy conversation, we like to start with the simpler question: which causes matter most to you, and why? Some clients want to support one or two organizations consistently over time. Others want flexibility to give differently as life changes, or to involve children and grandchildren in decisions about where support goes. There's no single right answer — the goal is simply to understand your intentions clearly, so your giving reflects your values and fits comfortably within your retirement income and legacy plan, rather than competing with it.
Thinking through the options
Once we understand your goals, we can talk through the general landscape of ways people approach charitable giving. Some retirees use tools like donor-advised funds, which allow contributions to be set aside for giving over time. Others, depending on their circumstances, look at giving directly from retirement accounts as a way to support causes they care about. These are well-known concepts worth being aware of, not a recommendation for your specific situation.
Because every household's tax picture, account types, and goals are different, we always encourage coordinating any charitable approach with a qualified tax professional. Our job is to help you think clearly about your goals and how giving fits into your overall plan — from there, we work alongside your tax and legal advisors to help you find an approach that feels right for you, your family, and the causes you care about.
This information is educational and general in nature, not tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax professional regarding your specific situation. Advisory services are offered through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser. Lakehouse Family Wealth is not affiliated with Cambridge.