The New Era of Giving: How Advisors Can Shape Philanthropic Impact

Philanthropic planning is stepping into a more prominent role in 2026 as advisors and donors alike rethink what effective giving looks like in a rapidly changing landscape. According to a recent survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Vanguard Charitable, over the course of 12 months ending October 31, 2025, 75% of Americans donated to charity. Nearly a third of those donors increased their contributions from the previous year. Additionally, among donors with a charitable giving budget, the average contribution was $3,001 — almost 3.5 times higher than those without a budget.

Support from donors at Vanguard Charitable also surged, as funding directed to nonprofits grew by 21% over the 12-month period.  

These numbers highlight a powerful trend: not only are Americans giving, but they are also giving with intention, planning their contributions to maximize impact. Philanthropy is a core component of how individuals define impact, legacy, and responsibility, and planned (or, budgeted) charitable giving is creating a growing need for advisors who specialize in philanthropic planning.

How Advisors Can Meet the Growing Demand for Philanthropic Planning

For many advisors, this shift toward intentional giving and the need for philanthropic planning specialists becomes clear through client conversations.

“I think the turning point was starting to meet with more clients that were very philanthropic. I really wanted to be able to meet their needs,” said FinServe Network ambassador Dominique Langerman, MPA, CAP®. “Being able to pursue the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®) designation gave me all the answers that I really needed.”  

What she discovered was that philanthropic planning isn’t just about helping donors give; it’s about understanding the systems that receive those gifts. That knowledge extended well beyond client work. “It even helped me personally, as I serve on a lot of nonprofit boards,” Langerman explained. “I was able to carry that knowledge over and apply what I’ve learned through the CAP® curriculum to the boards that I serve on as well.”

That dual perspective is increasingly valuable in today’s environment. Donors want reassurance that their generosity is being distributed effectively, and nonprofits benefit from advisors who understand areas like governance and sustainability. With a master’s degree in nonprofit management under her belt, Langerman found that the CAP® Program bridged a critical gap.  

“Being able to combine the financial aspect, the tax planning aspect, and the philanthropic aspect [of planning with the CAP^® designation] is huge. Advisors that are empowered to talk about these subjects are really going to stand out.”

- Dominique Langerman, MPA, CAP^®

“The CAP® was a really nice complement,” she said. “It allows me to talk to nonprofit organizations and be able to guide them in more than just financial advice, but governance advice — understanding structure and needs from a leadership perspective.”

At the same time, philanthropy itself is expanding. As wealth transfers accelerate and new generations step into influence, charitable intent is evolving.

“There’s a great need — and a still growing need — for philanthropic planning in the industry,” said Langerman. “Considering the Great Wealth Transfer, women tend to be very philanthropic, millennials inheriting are very philanthropic ... among the affluent there is a very high percentage of people who are philanthropic.”  

What makes the difference, she notes, is the ability to integrate values with strategy. “Being able to combine the financial aspect, the tax planning aspect, and the philanthropic aspect is huge. Advisors that are empowered to talk about these subjects are really going to stand out.”

For FinServe Network ambassador Mary Fischer-Nassib, CAP®, the journey into philanthropic planning began when her youngest child left for college, and she felt called to take a risk in her career that would lead to greater impact.

“I thought to myself, it’s now or never. If you want to make an impact on society, now’s the time to do it,” she recalled. “From there, I found out about the CAP® Program...and thought, ‘this is what the world needs.’”

For Fischer-Nassib, the importance of philanthropic planning extends far beyond the individual advisors to the strength of the entire ecosystem. “I’m very passionate about philanthropic education, and the rules don’t always stay the same. Community needs don’t always stay the same. Funding sources don’t always stay the same,” she said. Education, in her view, should be paired with connection. “It’s really the relationships in the philanthropic space that make real impact.”

The new calendar year presents an opportunity for advisors to meet this growing client need with the help of specialized knowledge and strategies. Advisors who are equipped with these tools can better navigate both clients’ goals and the nonprofit ecosystem. Offering thoughtful guidance backed by education, experience, and strong networks can build legacies, strengthen organizations, and empower the next generation of donors to give with purpose.

More on Philanthropic Planning

• Learn more about the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®) Program
• Discover more insights on philanthropic planning with this on-demand webcast: Exploring Donor-Advised Funds as a Charitable Giving Vehicle
• Learn more about the FinServe Network