Major Gift Consulting.
Independent, plain-English help with a major charitable gift. Sometimes that's a donor and their advisor working out the right structure when a trust isn't the fit; sometimes it's supporting a gift officer with a specific donor. Either way, we model the options and recommend what actually fits the donor's goal - not what any one party would prefer. And because we're CPAs, we can give real tax advice - run the projections, weigh the consequences - not just lay the options out.
Two ways major-gift consulting happens.
The work is the same at its core - honest modeling of how someone can give well. Who brings us in, and why, is what differs.
When a trust isn't the answer.
Same starting point as a trust engagement - real charitable intent, often an appreciated asset - but a charitable remainder trust isn't the right tool. Maybe there's no need or wish for an income stream, the timeline or asset doesn't fit, or simpler is just better. We model the alternatives - donor-advised fund, gift annuity, outright giving, QCDs - and tell the donor what actually fits.
Usually referred by a financial planner or attorney.
If it is a trust → Charitable Trust Planning & DesignSupporting a gift officer with a donor.
Independent modeling for a donor a gift officer is working with - which may or may not be formally on behalf of the nonprofit. We compare the options side by side in plain language, so the donor can decide with a clear picture. The gift officer keeps the relationship; we bring the tax advice they can't - the projections, the consequences, the math.
Usually referred by a nonprofit gift officer or planned-giving team.
More for gift officers →Independent - and able to give real tax advice.
This is the part that sets us apart. We're CPAs, so we don't just lay brochures side by side - we run the actual tax projections, weigh the consequences across years, and give the donor real advice on what each option means for them. A gift officer or financial planner often isn't positioned to do that. And because we're independent, none of it is steered toward one outcome.
Donor-goal discovery
Income needs, family situation, charitable intent, and the specific asset on the table. Before any structure gets recommended, we understand what the donor is actually trying to do.
Side-by-side modeling
Each comparison run with the donor's real numbers - income, deduction, what reaches charity, and after-tax outcomes shown across multiple time horizons.
Plain-English donor memo
A written memo the donor can read on their own. Preferred structure and why, relevant alternatives, and an honest description of what the donor gives up with each.
Coordination with the team
We work alongside whoever's involved - the financial planner, attorney, or gift officer - through the donor's decision. The donor keeps their relationships; we keep the math.
When this is the right call.
Engage us when:
- The gift is large enough that the structure genuinely matters
- A trust has been considered, but may not be the right fit
- Several options are plausible and someone needs to compare them honestly
- The donor wants independent counsel, not a sales pitch for one vehicle
Look elsewhere if:
- The donor has already settled on a specific vehicle, asset, and timing
- The gift is small enough that outright giving is the best answer
- Someone wants advocacy for one particular structure
- You need a fundraising consultant - we don't do donor development work
What an engagement looks like.
Introduction
A three-way call: the donor, the advisor or gift officer who referred them, and us. We establish what the donor is considering and what success looks like.
Modeling
We build the comparison from the donor's actual situation - their asset, their tax bracket, their family.
Memo & review
A written recommendation, delivered to the donor and the referring advisor at the same time, with a conversation to walk through it.
Next steps
The donor decides. If a trust turns out to be the path after all, we can move into design and administration - or coordinate with the donor's existing CPA.
Where this connects.
Charitable Trust Planning & Design
The mirror image: when a charitable remainder or lead trust is the right tool, this is where the gift goes.
Charitable Trust Tax Administration
Once a trust is funded, annual administration begins. Form 5227, K-1s, unitrust calculations.
Personal Tax Planning (limited)
Personal returns, in limited capacity, kept coordinated with the charitable side.
Have a major-gift conversation that needs a tax view?
Bring us in early. The earlier we model the gift, the more time the donor has to make a clean decision.