Boomer advisors too reluctant to broach charity topic

The United Nations recently scolded Americans for not giving enough to poor countries, but here’s a simple fact to make us all feel better; more Americans give to charity than vote. Even more encouraging, 98 percent of people with $5 million or more make regular charitable contributions (so much for greedy, fat-cat stereotypes). And with our reputation on the world stage taking a beating of late, this is something for which we should all be proud, says Kim Wright-Violich.

The president of Schwab’s donor-advised fund said too many advisors are reluctant to raise the charitable giving topic with clients, either because they lack the necessary expertise, or because they’re afraid the client will feel pressured.

“Advisors shouldn’t feel as if they have to be an expert in charitable giving strategies in order to speak with their clients,” she says. “More than anything, they should find the experts they trust and partner with them. They can outsource that portion of their business and still know the very best is being done for their client.”