By John Burns, Chief Executive Officer
When we talk with clients about legacy and charitable giving, the conversation rarely starts with tax strategies. More often, clients come to us wanting to explore how they can provide for their families and loved ones while also giving back. Our role as advisors is to help structure those goals to ensure they are lasting and meaningful.
In our own family's financial planning, we had begun discussions around charitable giving and what was important to each of us. In that same year, we unexpectedly lost our youngest son, Mitchell. When we resumed where we had left off, the conversation took on a different meaning. Mitchell was a public park enthusiast. He loved that parks were accessible to everyone, inclusive, and there was culture for acceptance. Our discussion then shifted to the ideals he lived by and their importance to us.
Mitchell’s Shade, a partnership with Scissortail Park in Oklahoma City, was born to honor this mission. Each April, the initiative hosts a tree giveaway, with individuals and families from across the state and beyond can line up at the park and receive a free 3-gallon tree. Not only does the program offer physical shade, but also emotional shade, as trees are often earmarked to honor someone, celebrate a milestone, or in remembrance.1 It was a legacy the Burns family could provide to the community where they lived and raised their children.
Alongside Mitchell’s Shade, our family also launched Seeds for Hope, a scholarship program that reflects our long-standing belief in the power of education.2 The program awards scholarships to Oklahoma City students through an art and essay contest about trees and their meaning beyond shade. Supporting equal education was always central to our family's values. Seeds for Hope has become another way for us to invest in the next generation.
We hold these initiatives close to our hearts, and they highlight the fact that legacy can take different forms. In our conversations with clients, we often find many are already giving in ways that reflect what matters most to them—whether that’s supporting a church, volunteering in the community, or contributing to a local school or charity. Our role as advisors is to channel that commitment, helping to shape, structure, and bring their efforts to life effectively. That’s where thoughtful planning comes in.
Charitable giving and philanthropy come with tax deductions, but the timing and the type of gift determine the kind of benefit you receive. Sometimes that means using a donor-advised fund and walking clients through how to properly organize their charitable goals while maximizing the tax benefits.3 In other cases, clients might “bunch” several years’ worth of contributions into one year for tax advantages.4 It’s also important to remember that not all gifts are the same. For instance, a cash contribution is treated differently from appreciated stock or real estate, and, in some cases, charitable tools can be used alongside the sale of a business or investment.5 Our job is to help clients understand these differences, integrate the right strategies and execute on the details so they can focus on what matters most.
You can accomplish a lot with common tools, but some families may need more advanced approaches, such as private foundations or charitable trusts. These can provide structure and continuity, but they also come with added complexity and require careful planning. Overall, charitable planning has benefits far beyond tax efficiency. Giving can bring families together and create a lasting sense of purpose—much like planting trees that will grow for generations or fostering a love of education.
As we approach the giving season and year-end, it might make sense to review your charitable plans. If you are considering how legacy and charitable giving fit into your financial life, reach out to your Exencial advisor.
Sources:
- Mitchell’s Shade (data as of 10/3/25) – Home
- Mitchell’s Shade (data as of 10/3/25) - Seeds for Hope
- Investopedia (8/23/25) – Understanding Donor-Advised Funds: Definition, Pros & Cons, and Examples
- Kiplinger (12/20/23) – If You Give to Charity, ‘Bunching’ Could Save You Thousands
- IRS (5/30/25) – Charitable contributions deductions
Exencial Wealth Advisors is an SEC registered investment adviser. Any references to the terms “registered investment adviser” or “registered,” do not imply that Exencial or any person associated with Exencial has achieved a certain level of skill or training.
