How advisors can help clients build a charitable legacy

As advisors, our role often extends beyond managing wealth. We have the privilege of helping clients create a legacy and realize their deeper aspirations, especially those rooted in generosity, values and social impact.

One of the most rewarding parts of my work is supporting clients in giving back to causes that truly resonate with them. Recently, I had the opportunity to do just that with a client who was inspired to create a public art display to benefit four women’s shelters in Montreal.

It all began during an extended stay in Modena, Italy, where my client, Nori Bortulzzi, volunteered for an event called Viva Vittoria. It’s a one-day public art installation aimed at raising awareness and solidarity around violence against women. Deeply moved by the experience, Nori returned to Montreal determined to create a similar initiative that would raise funds and foster connection and creativity.

And so, Crafted for Courage 2025 was born.

The power of a donor advised fund

We set up a donor advised fund (DAF), a flexible, tax-efficient vehicle for charitable giving that we had previously established together. We also rebranded the fund under the Crafted for Courage name to give it a distinct identity that aligned with her mission and made it easier to promote the initiative publicly.

DAFs are one of the most effective tools advisors can offer clients who want to give back meaningfully. They allow donors to make a charitable contribution, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then recommend grants from the fund over time. This structure gives clients the ability to be both strategic and spontaneous in their philanthropy.

One of the most impactful funding strategies for a DAF is the in-kind donation of appreciated securities. Instead of selling investments and donating the cash proceeds, clients can contribute publicly traded securities that have increased in value. This approach offers two key benefits:

• Eliminates capital gains tax on the appreciated amount
• Provides a full charitable tax receipt for the fair market value of the securities

This strategy maximizes the value of the gift and enhances the client’s overall tax efficiency. It’s a smart way to align investment performance with philanthropic goals.

Personally, I’ve used this approach to fund my own family’s charitable foundation, donating shares from my ETF portfolio. It’s a powerful reminder that philanthropy and financial planning don’t have to be separate conversations. When integrated thoughtfully, they can reinforce each other.

For advisors, DAFs offer a unique opportunity to deepen client relationships. They open the door to conversations about values, legacy and impact, topics that go far beyond portfolio performance. And because DAFs are easy to administer and can be passed on to the next generation, they’re an ideal tool for clients who want to build a legacy of generosity.

Planning the event: community, creativity and collaboration

Nori spent countless hours over the span of a year bringing Crafted for Courage to life. She secured the beautiful Esplanade of Place Ville Marie in downtown Montreal and rallied an impressive team of volunteers. The concept was simple yet powerful: volunteers would knit blankets and visitors could donate $75 to the DAF to receive one. All proceeds would go to local women’s shelters.

To support her efforts, I also contributed through my own DAF by promoting a matching donation campaign within my network of clients and friends. This dual approach, client and advisor working together, helped boost both attendance and generosity.

The advisor’s role in philanthropy

The event was a resounding success, mobilizing $65,000 for four local organizations supporting women in need. Volunteers transformed more than 5,000 fabric squares into 500 handmade blankets, and welcomed hundreds of visitors. The atmosphere was inspiring, with many attendees making on-site donations to Nori’s DAF in exchange for a blanket.

This was a rewarding experience for my team and me, and for colleagues across Raymond James. The event took place during RJ Cares month, allowing us to mobilize volunteers and funds from within our firm.

Here are five takeaways on how advisors can support clients and positively impact their communities:

• Clarify intentions: By asking thoughtful questions, help clients identify the causes they care about and define their vision for impact.
• Structure giving: Whether it’s setting up a DAF, creating a private foundation or integrating charitable giving into estate planning, provide tailored solutions.
• Leverage networks: Our professional relationships can connect clients with the right partners, organizations and experts to amplify their efforts.
• Ensure sustainability: Design giving strategies that endure beyond a single event.
• Measure impact: By incorporating tracking tools, enable clients to see the tangible results of their generosity.

Crafted for Courage 2025 wasn’t just a fundraising event, it was a living example of what can happen when a client’s passion meets the right support and structure. It showed how philanthropy can be deeply personal, powerfully communal and impactful.

As advisors, we have the tools and the responsibility to help clients turn their values into action. When we do, we don’t just manage wealth, we help build legacies of meaning, purpose and compassion.