With just a few days remaining in 2021, several people contacted me last minute seeking help to turn their 2021 taxes into charitable gifts for 2022.

Two of them had sold investment real estate this past year, resulting in capital gains taxes payable (27% of the gain) and the third had sold appreciated securities with a gain of more than $100,000.

They all needed a quick and reliable solution.

I explained to each of them how a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) could help them, and then made the appropriate introductions to community foundations.

These activities produced more than $800,000 of new charity, and created charitable legacies for 3 families, by converting taxes into charity.

There are 2 ways to give charity: Write a cheque yourself or get other people to write a cheque.

There is more reward in the latter because it’s harder work to do, BUT, the great result is that you can create way more charity that way.

As insurance, investment, tax, legal or estate planning professionals, we are the gatekeepers of client philanthropy.

Make 2022 the year to have the strategic ‘philanthropy’ conversation with your clients. And consider getting involved in your local community foundation, join CAGP (Canadian Association of Gift Planners), get involved in the national Willpower.ca campaign and consider getting your @MFA-P designation (Master Financial Advisors-Philanthropy) created by CAGP/Knowledge Bureau/Spire Philanthropy.

And reach out to me if I can help. Let’s collaborate.