As we gather around Thanksgiving tables this year, many of us naturally reflect on what we're grateful for and how we might give back to our communities. If you've been thinking about charitable giving, whether it's writing that year-end check or including philanthropy in your long-term plans, you're on the right track for reasons that might surprise you.

The benefits of charitable giving extend far beyond the warm feeling you get from helping others. Research shows that giving back can literally improve your health, strengthen your relationships, and create significant advantages for your estate planning. Let's explore how opening your heart and your wallet can benefit both you and the causes you care about.

Your Heart (and Health) Will Thank You

It turns out the phrase "it's better to give than receive" has real science behind it. When you give to charity, your brain releases feel-good chemicals that can have lasting positive effects on your physical and mental health.



The Happiness Factor

Studies consistently show that people who give money to others experience more happiness over time than those who spend it entirely on themselves. This isn't just a temporary mood boost, it's a sustained increase in life satisfaction and self-esteem that can last for months.

Think about the last time you helped someone or donated to a cause you cared about. Remember that sense of purpose and fulfillment? That feeling has measurable health benefits, including reduced stress and anxiety levels.

Real Physical Health Benefits

The health benefits of charitable giving go beyond just feeling good. Research has found some remarkable connections between generosity and physical wellness:

• Lower inflammation: People who volunteer regularly have lower levels of inflammation in their bodies, which is linked to reduced risk of chronic diseases
• Better heart health: Adults with heart disease who spent time helping others were less likely to have heart attacks or die in the following years
• Reduced depression risk: Older adults who helped their loved ones experienced greater feelings of personal control and were less likely to develop depressive symptoms

The sweet spot seems to be volunteering one to two hours per week, enough to make a difference without overwhelming your schedule.

Stronger Social Connections

Charitable giving naturally connects you with like-minded people who share your values. Whether you're volunteering at a local food bank, attending charity events, fostering a dog in need or simply discussing your philanthropic goals with family, giving creates opportunities for meaningful relationships.

These social connections are crucial for mental health, especially as we age. Strong relationships have been linked to reduced rates of depression and anxiety, plus a greater sense of purpose in life.

Smart Estate Planning Through Giving

Now let's talk about the practical side: how charitable giving can be a powerful tool in your estate planning strategy. Far from being just an expense, thoughtful charitable planning can actually help you preserve more wealth for your family while supporting causes you care about.

Significant Tax Benefits

One of the most compelling financial reasons to include charitable giving in your estate plan is the potential for substantial tax savings:

Unlimited Estate Tax Deduction: When you leave money to qualified charities, the full amount is deducted from your taxable estate. This means your heirs could inherit more because your estate pays less in taxes.

Triple Tax Benefits: Through strategic charitable giving, you can potentially reduce income taxes, capital gains taxes, and estate taxes. For example, donating appreciated stocks or real estate allows you to avoid capital gains taxes on the increased value while still receiving a tax deduction.

End-of-Year Planning: As we approach the end of 2025, charitable contributions can help reduce your current year's tax burden while supporting causes you believe in.

Building a Lasting Legacy

Including charitable giving in your estate plan does something that purely financial inheritances can't: it passes down your values along with your assets. When you create a charitable legacy, you're showing your family what matters to you and potentially inspiring them to continue your philanthropic traditions.

Many families find that working together on charitable giving actually brings them closer together. Creating a family fund or involving children and grandchildren in charitable decision-making can create shared purpose and lasting memories.

Flexible Giving Strategies

There are numerous ways to incorporate charitable giving into your estate plan, each with different benefits:

• Direct bequests: Simple gifts to charities in your will or trust
• Charitable remainder trusts: Provide income to you or your family for a period, then the remainder goes to charity
• Charitable lead trusts: Provide income to charity for a period, then assets pass to your heirs
• Donor-advised funds: Allow you to make contributions now but decide on specific recipients later

Getting Started: Practical Steps

If you're inspired to begin or expand your charitable giving, here are some practical steps to consider:

Align Your Giving With Your Values

Start by identifying causes that truly matter to you. Whether it's education, healthcare, environmental conservation, animal rescue or supporting your local community, choose organizations that reflect your personal values and goals.

Start Small and Be Consistent

You don't need to make large gifts to make a difference. Small, regular donations can be more impactful than occasional large gifts, both for the organizations you support and for your own sense of satisfaction.

Consider Your Complete Financial Picture

Work with professionals to understand how charitable giving fits into your overall financial and estate planning strategy. What might seem like a simple donation can have complex tax implications that are worth understanding.

Involve Your Family

If you have children or grandchildren, consider involving them in your charitable planning. This can be a wonderful way to teach values while creating family traditions around giving back.

The Perfect Time to Give

As we enter the holiday season, it's natural to think about gratitude and generosity. The end of the year is also an ideal time for charitable giving from a practical standpoint: many people receive year-end bonuses or have a clearer picture of their annual income and tax situation.

But charitable giving doesn't have to be limited to November and December. Building philanthropy into your regular routine and long-term plans can create ongoing benefits for your health, your family, and your community.

Whether you're writing your first charitable check or considering how to include giving in your estate planning, remember that the benefits flow in all directions. Your generosity can improve your own well-being while creating lasting positive change in the world.

Making It Official

If you're ready to explore how charitable giving can fit into your estate plan, consider speaking with an estate planning attorney who can help you understand your options and create a strategy that aligns with your goals. Every family's situation is unique, and what works for your neighbors might not be the best approach for you.

The beauty of charitable giving is that it allows you to care for your loved ones while also supporting the causes that matter to you. It's a way to ensure that your legacy reflects not just what you accumulated in life, but what you valued and how you chose to make a difference.

This Thanksgiving season, as you count your blessings, consider how charitable giving might enrich your life in ways you hadn't expected. Your heart, your health, and your heirs may all thank you for it.

Ready to talk about giving? Give us a call today to get started: (614) 334-6850.