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“I don’t know where I’m going—but I know how to get there.”
– Boyd Varty, The Lion Tracker’s Guide to Life
This ironic, almost paradoxical phrase beautifully captures the mystery of the journey—whether you’re tracking lions, navigating a complex city like London, or working through the challenges of charitable planning. It could just as easily apply to a financial advisor helping a client reduce taxes through strategic philanthropy: the destination may be unclear, but the path forward can be well-defined.
Too often, individuals begin their charitable giving journey focused on tax deductions rather than purpose. But discovering the why behind your giving can illuminate your path more powerfully than any spreadsheet. When it comes to charitable planning, having a clear, mission-driven strategy is essential—not only for tax efficiency, but to ensure your generosity reflects your values.
You may not know exactly where you want to go—but we know how to help you get there.
In two recent episodes of our podcast, Nathan Merrill and Karl Frank, CFP®, share how they guide clients to create charitable giving plans that align with both their philanthropic values and financial goals.
🎧 Learn more:
- Episode 119: Charitable Why (Publishes May 20)
Episode 120: A Gratitude State of Mind (Publishes June 6) – Make sure early link is live in time for the email
From the archive:
A Step-by-Step Guide to Strategic Charitable Giving
Whether you’re a Denver-based philanthropist, a high-net-worth donor, or simply looking to give more meaningfully, here’s a five-step process to help align your giving with your values:
Step 1: Form Your Family Mission Statement
Roy Disney once said, “When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.”
For family stewards, transferring money is often a key concern—but transferring values, stories, and skills is even more powerful. A well-crafted family mission statement becomes a guiding light for future generations, helping them make financial decisions in line with a shared legacy.
For charitably minded individuals, a mission statement brings the same clarity. You can’t support every cause—but you can focus on what matters most. A clear mission allows you to become a mission-driven philanthropist, making lasting contributions that reflect your core beliefs.
Step 2: Find Aligned Charities
Once your mission is in place, the list of potential charities becomes more focused. Rather than reacting to every phone call or mailer, mission-driven givers can quickly filter out misaligned causes.
Example mission:
To help children and families with disabilities.
This simple focus narrows your choices, allowing for deeper, more impactful giving.
Now take it further:
To help disabled adult children of families in rural Colorado find housing and independent living arrangements.
More clarity equals more impact—and more confidence in your giving.
Step 3: Decide the Dollars and Duration
With your mission and charities in place, it’s time to determine how much to give—and for how long. Setting a clear charitable giving budget and timeline upfront helps simplify future decisions and reduce stress.
Example:
Commit to donating $10,000 per year for five years to a single organization.
This approach provides structure, allows you to track results over time, and remains flexible. You can scale your gift up or down while staying true to your philanthropic plan.
Step 4: Determine Your Involvement
Charitable giving isn’t just about writing checks—it’s about how you want to show up.
You can give with your:
- Time (body)
- Skills (talent)
- Resources (wealth)
As shared in Episode 120, giving money provides emotional rewards. But giving time—volunteering at events, helping directly—offers even deeper personal and physiological benefits.
Have professional skills? Your expertise may be invaluable.
- A lawyer can help nonprofits with governance or legal compliance.
- A financial advisor can help manage budgets, accounts, and investments.
- Professionals in marketing, HR, IT, or operations can support organizational growth.
This type of giving helps you connect more meaningfully—and ensures the organization thrives long after your donation is spent.
Step 5: Monitor the Metrics
The final step is measuring your impact. Just like businesses track performance, successful nonprofits in Colorado and beyond monitor key metrics to evaluate effectiveness and communicate results.
As a donor, ask yourself:
- What outcomes do I care most about?
- How do I know my gift is making a difference?
Some donors want emotional outcomes. Others—especially those with technical or financial expertise—may want to help shape or analyze performance metrics.
By helping nonprofits define and measure success, you create a virtuous cycle of accountability, impact, and engagement—for yourself, the organization, and future donors.
An Important Note About Getting Started
While this five-step process is a great roadmap, most people start somewhere in the middle. You may already be donating and now want to be more focused or strategic.
In that case, pause and reflect:
- Where are you most energized?
- Which charities speak to your values?
Pick two or three. Write down why they matter. Then go back to Step 1 and write your mission statement.
Example:
One Denver family supported:
- A nonprofit building homes for families in need,
- A group helping disabled children experience Colorado’s outdoors,
- An organization creating jobs for disabled young adults.
By reflecting on what they valued most, they uncovered a unifying mission:
To help disabled adult children find independent living arrangements in rural Colorado.
The mission had been there all along—waiting to be named.
In Conclusion
Giving with intention is one of the most powerful ways to make a lasting impact—not just for the causes you support, but for your own life and legacy.
Whether you’re just beginning your charitable giving journey in Denver or looking to enhance your tax-efficient giving strategy, these five steps provide a practical and powerful framework. They’re not rigid rules—they’re a flexible guide to help you give with clarity, joy, and impact.
Because even if you’re not sure where you’re going, with the right mission and a trusted guide—you’ll know how to get there.
Would you like help developing your charitable giving strategy or aligning your financial plan with your philanthropic goals? Contact a Denver-based financial planner at A&I Wealth Management today.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or legal advice. Please consult with a qualified professional for advice regarding your specific situation.
DISCLOSURE: Client stories included in this blog reflect hypothetical client situations that represent those commonly encountered by AIWM representatives.
