Charitable Giving and Foundations

Charitable giving is one of the most meaningful things a well-constructed estate plan can accomplish, and one of the most underutilized tools available for families with significant assets. The right giving structure can reduce estate and income tax, allow assets to be used for charitable purposes while providing family income, and create a lasting vehicle for the causes and organizations that matter most to you.

The structures available for charitable giving range from the simple to the sophisticated. A direct bequest in a will is the most basic approach. Charitable remainder trusts allow you to give an asset, often appreciated stock or real property, to the trust, receive an income stream during your lifetime, take an immediate charitable deduction, and have the remainder go to charity at death. Charitable lead trusts work in reverse, providing income to charity first and distributing the remainder to heirs. Donor-advised funds provide a simple, flexible vehicle for ongoing charitable giving without the administrative burden of a private foundation. Private foundations, while more complex, provide the greatest control, the ability to involve family members in grantmaking, and the capacity for a giving program that continues across generations.

Victoria helps Georgia clients structure charitable giving as part of a comprehensive estate plan, selecting the right vehicle for the client’s goals, drafting the documents, and ensuring the tax and legal framework is correctly built. For clients who want to establish a private foundation, she handles the formation process, the governance structure, and the compliance requirements that come with operating a charitable entity.

The right giving plan is built around what you actually want to accomplish, for the causes you care about, for your family, and for the legacy you want to leave.