As the year winds down, many families, businesses, and advisors begin to talk about the “giving season.” It’s a familiar rhythm—December appeals from nonprofits, last-minute charitable donations for tax purposes, and year-end family conversations about causes that matter most. Due to tax and investment planning, we tend to see a significant increase in contributions to even DAFs, flexible though they are, at year’s end.
But the truth is, generosity isn’t seasonal – it’s year round.
The Case for Year-Round Giving
In 2024 alone, Americans donated an estimated $592.5 billion to charity — a record fueled by strong stock market gains and economic growth with Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) emerging as the fastest-growing giving vehicle. DAFs now hold over $250 billion in assets, with projections suggesting they will surpass $1 trillion within the next decade.
While many still concentrate their giving at year-end, an increasing number of donors are leveraging DAFs to make philanthropy a structured, ongoing part of their wealth strategy.
This shift matters:
- Maximize tax benefits. Market fluctuations and associated portfolio rebalance opportunities may not align to year-end giving. Maximizing tax gain harvesting through DAF funding is an ongoing strategy.
- Deepen family engagement. Continuous giving creates opportunities to bring multiple generations into the philanthropic conversation and make it part of the family rhythm, not a one-off at year-end.
Sustain nonprofit impact. Regular contributions mean nonprofits can plan and operate more effectively, instead of relying on one-time, year-end bursts.
Why It Matters for Advisors
For wealth managers, embedding strategic philanthropy into planning isn’t just about generosity—it’s about growth. Advisors who offer charitable planning see 2.3x faster growth and 55% more new clients than those who don’t.
Philanthropy opens the door to deeper, values-based conversations with clients. It strengthens trust, fosters multi-generational connections, and helps retain assets under management that may move to other platforms.
At TIFIN Give, we believe philanthropy is not only about generosity but also about creating better wealth outcomes for more people. Giving shouldn’t be a box checked in December; it should be an integral part of a client’s year-round financial journey.
The “season” of giving is every season. And when advisors guide clients with this mindset, everyone benefits—the client, the advisor, and the causes that matter most.
Experience Give today.
Leverage the power of charitable giving.