Philanthropic Planning

Philanthropic Planning With Purpose & Perspective

We understand that governance, clarity, and financial stewardship are essential to effective giving, and we’re here to help. Our team works with individuals, families, and nonprofit leaders to align philanthropic goals with strategic planning and investment expertise.

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Your Financial Stewardship Is Our Priority

Our investment management approach is tailored to the unique needs of private foundations and individuals, balancing the nuances of philanthropic intentions with the pragmatism of financial performance and risk management.

Review current philanthropic portfolio and interests
Educate on best practices for high-impact philanthropic investments
Strategize short- and long-term social impact strategies
Design and implement a tailored, high-impact philanthropic giving plan
Evaluate and measure philanthropic impact and giving strategies

Our values are at the heart of everything we do and are our inspiration for how we serve you and the community we share.” - Simon Baker, CEO

Serving Your Mission

Governance and Leadership: We assist in articulating your purpose and developing evidence-based targets. We also actively monitor your portfolio’s growth within a sound investment strategy framework and provide evidence-based best practice solutions that align investment strategy with your foundation’s goals.

Grant & Proposal Reviews: We collaborate with you to review grant proposals and assist initiatives that reflect your philanthropic goals. By aligning your mission with investment management expertise, we help support the financial sustainability of your charitable efforts.

Gift Structuring: Our approach optimizes tax advantages to ensure each major gift aligns with your investment objectives.

Philanthropic Evaluations & Best Practices: When it comes to gifting strategies, we continuously monitor, evaluate, and refine the process. This approach is based on investment management principles to help ensure your assets and impact grow in tandem.

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Impact Investing: Bridging Social & Financial Objectives

Explore the benefits of socially responsible investing. You don’t need to choose between changing the world and reaching your financial goals. Our mission is to help you create an impact by contributing to positive change, alongside maximizing your portfolio performance during all market cycles. Our investment team has deep expertise and experience guiding our clients on Impact investment strategies, and uses screening criteria tailored to align with your values.

Our Impact Lens Filtering Criteria

Energy Management
Water Management
Sustainable Product
GHG Emissions Management
Waste Management

Board Composition
Executive Compensation
Shareholder Rights
Audit

Philanthropy & Impact FAQs

What types of philanthropic giving structures does BakerAvenue advise on?

BakerAvenue advises clients on a range of charitable giving vehicles, including donor-advised funds (DAFs), which allow an immediate tax deduction with flexible grant timing; charitable remainder trusts (CRTs), which convert appreciated assets into a tax-deferred income stream with a charitable remainder; private foundations, which provide control over grantmaking and investment strategy; and direct charitable gifting integrated with estate planning. The right structure depends on each client’s tax situation, charitable goals, and desired level of involvement.

How can charitable giving reduce taxes for high-net-worth individuals?

Strategic charitable giving can reduce several categories of tax for high-net-worth clients. Contributions of appreciated securities to a donor-advised fund or charitable remainder trust avoid capital gains tax on the appreciation while generating an income tax deduction. Charitable bequests reduce the size of a taxable estate. Qualifying charitable distributions (QCDs) from IRAs satisfy Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) tax-free for eligible donors over age 70.5. BakerAvenue coordinates charitable giving with the client’s broader tax and estate plan to help structure giving in the most tax-efficient manner.

Can BakerAvenue help design and implement a philanthropic strategy?

Yes. BakerAvenue’s philanthropic advisory process includes reviewing each client’s current giving portfolio and charitable interests, identifying the structures and vehicles best suited to their goals, developing a short- and long-term giving strategy, and designing a plan that integrates philanthropy with the client’s financial and estate plan. For families with complex philanthropic ambitions, BakerAvenue can also assist with establishing and governing a private foundation or donor-advised fund.

Does BakerAvenue work with private foundations and family philanthropy initiatives?

Yes. BakerAvenue provides advisory services to private foundations and family philanthropy programs, including assistance with mission statement development, investment policy design, board governance best practices, grantmaking strategy, and impact measurement. Our advisors also help families integrate the foundation’s investment portfolio with the family’s broader wealth strategy to ensure alignment across financial, tax, and legacy objectives.

What does it mean that BakerAvenue is a certified B Corporation?

B Corporation certification is awarded by B Lab to companies that meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. BakerAvenue is one of a small number of registered investment advisors to hold B Corp certification, reflecting our commitment to operating as a responsible business.

How does philanthropy fit into an estate plan for high-net-worth individuals?

Philanthropy and estate planning are closely connected for high-net-worth individuals. Charitable vehicles such as charitable remainder trusts, private foundations, and donor-advised funds can reduce the size of a taxable estate while directing wealth toward causes that reflect the client’s values and legacy. BakerAvenue coordinates philanthropic intent with estate structure, ensuring that giving strategies are designed to work within and enhance the overall estate plan rather than operating independently from it.

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