A liquidity event can transform a family’s financial picture overnight. Whether wealth is created through the sale of a company, an IPO, or a major real estate transaction, the decisions that follow can have implications for generations.
Charitable giving is often part of that conversation. But before deciding between a donor-advised fund, private foundation, or another charitable structure, families can benefit from starting with a more fundamental question:
What do we want our wealth to accomplish?
At Whittier Trust, philanthropic planning begins with purpose. That means understanding the causes a family values, how involved family members want to be, and whether giving is intended to make an impact today or create a philanthropic legacy that continues across generations.
The answers can inform not only the appropriate charitable structure, but also how philanthropy fits within a family’s broader wealth strategy. With thoughtful planning, giving can provide more than potential tax advantages. It can create a framework for shared decision-making, engage younger generations, and bring greater intentionality to wealth.
A liquidity event marks a significant financial transition. It can also create an opportunity to define what comes next.
