Dallas Foundation

The Estate Planner’s Guide to Charitable Legacy Planning

Help Clients Turn Charitable Intent Into a Lasting Plan

Access practical guidance to help clients incorporate charitable giving into their estate plans while creating a lasting legacy for the causes and communities they care about.

Kelsey Picken, Ph.D.

Senior Director of Legacy Giving
kpicken@dallasfoundation.org

In This Guide, You Will Learn:

  • When philanthropy naturally belongs in the estate-planning conversation
  • Questions that help uncover and clarify a client’s charitable intent
  • Ways to structure a charitable legacy through estate documents and beneficiary designations
  • Drafting considerations for changed circumstances, restrictions, and donor intent
  • How to plan for family participation and successor advisors
  • When to involve The Dallas Foundation before documents are finalized
Request the Guide

What Sets Us Apart

A Collaborative Extension of Your Practice

We work alongside estate and trust attorneys to help clients translate their charitable goals into thoughtful legacy plans. Our team provides philanthropic expertise while respecting the trusted relationships you have built.

Flexible Planning Solutions

Clients can establish a legacy plan that reflects their current wishes while retaining the flexibility to revise charitable beneficiaries and priorities over time without repeatedly updating their estate documents.

Local Knowledge and Nonprofit Expertise

Our philanthropic advisors bring deep knowledge of Greater Dallas, community needs, and effective nonprofit organizations. This insight can help clients create plans that are both personally meaningful and responsive to future needs.

Long-Term Stewardship

The Dallas Foundation provides continuity across generations, helping ensure each client’s charitable intent is understood, documented, and carried forward. We can also support family conversations, successor engagement, privacy preferences, and ongoing grantmaking after a client’s lifetime.

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