Turning Everyday Generosity Into a Charitable Giving Plan
Author: Samantha Poropat, Tax Partner
Publication Date: November, 2026
At some companies, generosity comes up in everyday conversation long before anyone reads about it in the benefits guide. Colleagues talk about the causes they support, and leaders set aside time and resources to make a difference. Giving back starts to feel like part of the job. If you work somewhere like that, charitable giving probably already matters to you on a personal level. The more interesting question is how to make each gift go further.
Wanting to give is the easy part. Building a plan around it takes more thought, especially once equity, family priorities, and long-term wealth goals all come into the picture.
Why Does Giving Feel So Personal at Mission-Driven Companies?
Giving feels personal at mission-driven companies because many employees joined for the mission itself. Supporting outside causes becomes an extension of the values that shaped their career choice. When the people around you care deeply about impact, generosity shows up year-round and shapes how you think about money.
Many tech teams build that ethic into daily life through matching programs, volunteer days, and open conversations about where resources can do the most good. Add compensation that may include significant equity, and plenty of employees find they can give at a level they never expected early in their careers. Capacity can change fast, so your approach should keep up.
What Is Charitable Planning?
Charitable planning is the process of aligning your generosity with your broader financial picture, including taxes, cash flow, equity, estate goals, and family values. Instead of deciding one gift at a time, a planned approach looks at what you want your giving to accomplish over the years and builds around those priorities.
Some people call it philanthropic planning, and others use the term strategic philanthropy. Whatever the label, the order stays the same: Get clear on your philanthropic goals first, then decide on structure and timing. A giving vehicle chosen before the purpose is clear can end up shaping your generosity instead of serving it.
How Does a Charitable Giving Plan Differ From Giving as You Go?
A charitable giving plan sets your intentions, timing, and methods ahead of time, while giving as you go responds to requests one at a time. Both come from a generous place. A plan gives you more control over results and tax efficiency, and it helps giving fit alongside goals like buying a home or paying for education.
The differences show up most in timing, the assets you give, and long-term impact.
| Giving as You Go | A Charitable Giving Plan | |
| Starting point | Appeals, events, year-end deadlines | Your values and long-term goals |
| Timing | Reactive | Coordinated with income, equity events, and tax years |
| What you give | Usually cash | Cash, securities, or other assets, depending on your situation |
| Family involvement | Often informal | Spouses, partners, or children included by design |
| Impact over time | Hard to measure | Easier to track and adjust |
Spontaneous gifts still have a place, and a good plan leaves room for them.
Which Charitable Giving Strategies Are Worth Exploring?
Donor-advised funds and gifting appreciated assets are two charitable giving strategies worth exploring, especially for tech professionals with equity. Both options can offer flexibility and potential tax advantages, and the right fit depends on your income, assets, and goals.
People with concentrated stock positions, recent liquidity events, or uneven income often have more choices than they realize. Families with bigger ambitions sometimes consider a private foundation, which brings its own rules, such as
Donor-advised funds and gifting appreciated assets are two charitable giving strategies worth exploring, especially for tech professionals with equity. Both options can offer flexibility and potential tax advantages, and the right fit depends on your income, assets, and goals.
People with concentrated stock positions, recent liquidity events, or uneven income often have more choices than they realize. Families with bigger ambitions sometimes consider a private foundation, which brings its own rules, such as annual minimum distribution requirements. If you’ve recently sold shares, the tax side of secondary stock sales can also affect when and how you give. Every option involves tradeoffs, so it pays to bring in an advisor early.
How Does Frank, Rimerman Support Your Philanthropic Goals?
Frank, Rimerman supports your philanthropic goals by starting with what you want to achieve. From there, we coordinate your giving with your tax, wealth, and estate planning so the pieces work together. Our advisors review the full picture, including equity compensation and family priorities, before recommending any structure.
Our Silicon Valley roots matter here. For decades we’ve worked with founders, executives, and early employees, so we know how quickly a financial picture can shift after a funding round or an IPO. Frank, Rimerman’s private wealth management advisors work side by side with our estate and gift tax planning team so your giving supports the legacy you have in mind. Families with more layered needs often rely on our family office services to keep everything connected.
Give With Confidence
Confident giving comes from knowing your generosity reflects your values and fits your financial life. A clear approach to charitable giving lets you support the causes you care about today while protecting the goals you have for yourself and your family.
Giving decisions also tend to come up during conversations about income tax planning and consulting, because the two shape each other more than most people expect. When generosity is part of your culture, a little planning helps your giving go further. If you’d like to talk through how your giving fits with your tax, wealth, and estate plans, connect with us.
About the Author:
Samantha Poropat, Tax Partner
Income Tax Planning and Consulting / LinkedIn / E-mail
As a partner in the firm’s Tax practice, Samantha Poropat advises clients on tax, wealth, and charitable planning, including navigating wealth after a liquidity event, transferring assets to family members, and strategically deploying charitable assets. With deep experience in income, estate, and gift tax laws. Samantha helps clients approach charitable giving as part of their broader financial and family goals while identifying thoughtful planning opportunities.
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