A Five-Step Framework to Help Your Clients Plan Their 2026 Giving

As we enter 2026, many of your clients will be thinking about how their giving can make a meaningful impact this year and in the future. As an advisor, you can help them shape an intentional, thoughtful giving plan. Here is a five-step framework to effectively navigate these conversations.

 

1. Understand their motivations: why are your clients giving?

Philanthropy is deeply personal, and motivations vary from client to client. The first step is to understand what drives your clients: it could be a desire to create long term legacy, to unite family around shared values, to respond to immediate social needs, or to support causes close to their hearts.

As their advisor, you can ask thoughtful questions like:

• What kind of impact do you want to see from your giving this year?
• Are there particular causes or issues that have grown in importance to you since last year?
• What is most important to you when it comes to charitable giving?

 

2. Review past giving and set a clear giving budget and timeline

Before setting new goals, it is useful to reflect on what happened last year. Did giving meet your clients’ aspirations? Were there challenges or causes left unsupported? Assessing past giving helps inform realistic and impactful plans.

Work with your client to set a budget for 2026. This could be a fixed amount, a percentage of wealth or income, or a flexible plan tied to life events or financial objectives. Also, consider the long-term. Your clients may want to think five to ten years ahead, especially if philanthropy is part of a legacy or family strategy.

 

3. Align causes and geographic or demographic focus

Once motivations and budget are clear, you can help clients articulate what and who they want to support. With regards to selecting a cause, you may ask:

• Have their interests shifted?
• Are there emerging issues they care about?

When it comes to geographic or demographic focus, your clients may want to support their local community, or they may want to contribute globally. Some donors may wish to support specific groups, such as children or marginalised communities. This clarity helps ensure giving is meaningful, strategic, and aligned with personal values.

 

4. Review charities and giving vehicles

Encourage your clients to research potential charities thoroughly. This includes charitable mission, transparency, and impact reporting. Thoughtful research helps them make confident and informed decisions.

It is also important to discuss giving vehicles. Direct donations may work for some clients, but vehicles like donor-advised funds (DAFs) offer flexibility, tax efficiency, administrative simplicity, and the ability to involve family or plan long-term giving.

 

5. Build a plan and get started

Once the key components are in place, your clients can benefit from outlining their giving plan. This could include a calendar of grant recommendations or donations for the year, a family giving plan if several generations are involved, or a long-term giving roadmap tied to broader legacy goals. Most importantly of all, encourage your clients to start giving, observe what resonates and adjust their plan as needed.

By helping your clients to set giving goals for 2026, you can support their long-term philanthropic vision. To find out more about how NPT UK can help, contact us.