Charitable Impact Launches CIRO Accredited Course to Help Advisors Position Donor-Advised Funds in Tax and Financial Planning

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Charitable Impact’s one-hour live and interactive course explains how DAFs work, why they are gaining traction, how they compare with private foundations and ways advisors can identify relevant client scenarios, including donating publicly traded securities for tax efficiency. Advisors who take the course will understand what makes separating the timing of charitable contributions from grants to the charities clients may want to support, a key advantage for them and their clients, given that charitable assets can be invested to generate tax-free returns. In Canada, registered charities reported $16.6 billion in assets held in DAFs in 2024.

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“Charitable giving should not be treated as separate from tax planning. It is tax planning. And it’s purpose-driven. This is one area where advisors have a huge opportunity to provide more value to their clients,” said Eugene Wong, Director, Charitable Investment Programs at Charitable Impact. “Many clients are already giving, but they may be defaulting to cash gifts when there are more tax-efficient ways to support the charities they care most about. This course helps advisors recognize those opportunities, such as donating publicly traded securities, timing contributions more strategically, and using donor-advised funds to make charitable giving part of broader financial planning.” 

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As individuals, families, and business owners think more intentionally about legacy and impact, donor-advised funds offer advisors and their clients a more flexible, organized approach than managing multiple one-time direct gifts. DAFs streamline contributions, tax receipting, investment growth, and grants to charities, allowing advisors to focus on strategy, tax efficiency, and long-term planning. 

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FAQs

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1. Who is this course for?
The course is designed for financial advisors.

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2. What will advisors learn?
Advisors will learn the fundamentals of donor-advised funds and how they add value for clients by simplifying charitable giving, maximizing tax efficiency, and enabling the investment of donated assets

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3. How long is the course?
The course is approximately one hour, including a 50-minute presentation and a 10-minute Q&A session.

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4. Is the course accredited?
Yes. Participants qualify for one (1) CIRO CE credit on completion of the course.  

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5. Why does charitable planning matter for advisors?
Many clients already give, but their charitable gifts are often handled separately from tax, estate, and investment planning. Advisors can improve client satisfaction and deepen relationships by recommending tax-efficient donation strategies, including capital gains tax exemptions for in-kind securities donations and tax-free investment growth.

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6. When will the course be available?
The course is now available with sessions offered throughout the year.

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About Charitable Impact
Charitable Impact is a modern giving platform that helps Canadians engage more personally and intentionally with charitable giving. Operating as a donor-advised fund, it offers flexible tools and support to help people plan their giving, support the causes that matter to them, and collaborate with others to grow their collective impact—all in one place. Since 2011, our community of 227,000+ users has donated more than 1.8 billion dollars, with over 16,100 registered charities benefiting from the generosity of people across Canada. Learn more at https://www.charitableimpact.com/