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Comprehensive Guidance for Charitable Giving
Charitable giving is a meaningful component of many estate plans for residents of San Carlos. Creating a thoughtful philanthropic plan allows you to support causes you care about while coordinating asset distribution and family needs. This planning can include gifts through wills, designated beneficiary designations, donor-advised funds, or various trust structures. Understanding the available options and how they interact with your overall estate plan helps ensure your intentions are documented and achievable. Early consideration of charitable goals reduces confusion later and helps align your philanthropic wishes with tax and financial considerations, creating clarity and confidence about the legacy you intend to leave.
Planning charitable gifts in the context of an estate requires attention to legal details, timing, and the specific goals you hold for your giving. In San Carlos, donors often wish to balance support for nonprofit causes with providing for family, minimizing tax impact, and ensuring gifts are administered responsibly. A tailored charitable plan addresses how and when gifts will be distributed, who will oversee the process, and what instructions should be placed in governing documents. Thoughtful documentation prevents misunderstandings and preserves the intended effect of your charitable contributions, ensuring your values are represented consistently after you are gone.
Why Charitable Giving Planning Matters in San Carlos
A deliberate charitable giving plan delivers multiple benefits: it documents your philanthropic wishes, can reduce the taxable value of your estate, and enables you to leave a lasting legacy for causes you care about. In San Carlos, a documented plan helps ensure that gifts are fulfilled according to your directions and that the chosen charities receive support in a manner consistent with your intentions. Thoughtful planning also clarifies timing, control, and conditions for distributions, which helps minimize family disputes. By addressing both charitable aims and family needs, you can create a balanced plan that supports nonprofits while protecting financial outcomes for loved ones.
About Our San Carlos Estate Planning Team
Our firm focuses on estate planning matters for San Carlos residents, offering guidance on charitable giving that is grounded in current California rules and federal tax considerations. We work to understand each client’s philanthropic goals, family dynamics, and financial circumstances, then recommend practical approaches tailored to those specifics. The team emphasizes clear communication, careful document drafting, and coordinated implementation with financial institutions and charities. Clients receive straightforward explanations of options such as trusts, donor-advised funds, and bequests, plus assistance with documenting instructions so that charitable intentions are carried out smoothly and predictably.
Understanding Charitable Giving in Estate Planning
Charitable giving in estate planning involves legally designating assets to benefit nonprofit organizations through instruments like wills, trusts, beneficiary designations, or donor-advised funds. Each method has different implications for timing, control, tax benefits, and how beneficiaries and heirs are affected. In San Carlos, residents commonly weigh the tradeoffs between immediate gifts, lifetime charitable vehicles that provide income to beneficiaries, and posthumous bequests. Considering how a charitable gift interacts with retirement accounts, real estate, and business interests is key to creating an effective plan that honors philanthropic goals while maintaining financial balance for family members.
Choosing the right charitable giving route depends on priorities such as flexibility, tax impact, and the level of ongoing control desired. Some options permit donors to recommend grants over time, while others transfer assets immediately or provide income to named beneficiaries before passing remainder to charities. Tax treatment varies with the vehicle chosen and with current federal rules, which influences how much of the estate’s value is preserved for heirs versus directed to charities. Proper documentation and coordination with financial institutions ensure that gifts are recognized and implemented according to your instructions, limiting ambiguity and administrative burden for those who manage your estate.
Defining Charitable Giving Within Estate Plans
Charitable giving in estate planning means legally setting aside part of your estate or lifetime assets for nonprofit organizations through clear instructions in documents like wills, trusts, or beneficiary designations. It includes deciding which organizations to support, selecting the form and timing of gifts, and specifying conditions or purposes for those funds. Properly structured giving may yield tax benefits and can be arranged so that family members receive income or principal first before the designated charities receive residual funds. Documenting these intentions reduces the risk of disputes and helps ensure that the intended charitable impact endures according to your wishes.
Key Elements and Typical Processes for Charitable Planning
A charitable giving plan typically involves identifying beneficiary organizations, choosing the legal vehicle for gifts, assessing tax consequences, and preparing the documents that formalize your directions. Additional steps include coordinating beneficiary designations on accounts, funding trusts if applicable, and specifying who administers and monitors charitable distributions. During implementation, it is important to confirm tax identification numbers for charities and to communicate any conditions or timing instructions. A clear plan also includes provisions for modifying gifts when personal circumstances change and sets out a process for administrators to follow when executing your charitable intentions.
Charitable Giving Glossary and Key Terms
Familiarity with common charitable giving terms helps you make informed decisions when designing your plan. Terms such as charitable remainder trust, donor-advised fund, bequest, and tax deduction describe different tools and effects. Understanding these concepts clarifies how gifts will be administered, whether income benefits heirs during life, and how the remainder supports chosen nonprofits. Glossary definitions and explanations provide context for choosing the right vehicle and for anticipating how gifts will interact with estate administration, tax rules, and legacy goals in San Carlos and under applicable federal law.
Charitable Remainder Trust
A charitable remainder trust is an arrangement where assets are transferred into a trust that provides income to named beneficiaries for a specified period or for life, with the remaining trust property distributed to designated charities afterward. This structure can provide current tax benefits, potential income stream advantages, and an eventual philanthropic outcome. In practice, the trust document sets the timing and amount of payments, names trustees, and identifies the charities that will receive the remainder. Proper planning addresses funding, tax reporting, and how the trust fits within an overall estate plan to meet both family and charitable objectives.
Bequest
A bequest is a direction in a will that designates part or all of an estate to a charitable organization upon the testator’s death. Bequests can be specific, naming a dollar amount or particular asset, or residuary, allocating a percentage of the remaining estate after other distributions. Bequests are straightforward to include and can be revised by updating the will. They are often used by donors who prefer a clear posthumous gift without creating a separate lifetime vehicle. Careful drafting ensures that the intended charity is properly identified and that any conditions or purposes for the gift are clearly stated.
Donor-Advised Fund
A donor-advised fund is a giving vehicle that allows donors to make an initial contribution, receive an immediate tax benefit, and then recommend grants to qualified charities over time. The fund sponsor holds and manages the donated assets, while the donor often retains advisory privileges to suggest which organizations should receive grants. This approach offers flexibility and simplifies recordkeeping for charitable contributions. It is a suitable choice for donors who want to consolidate giving, support multiple charities at different times, and maintain the ability to shape their philanthropic plan without creating a private trust.
Tax Deduction for Charitable Giving
Charitable giving may provide tax deductions under federal law when properly structured, reducing taxable income or the taxable value of an estate. The availability and extent of deductions depend on the type of gift, the recipient organization’s status, and current tax rules. For estate-related gifts, deductions can lower the taxable estate subject to federal estate tax calculations. In California, there is no state estate tax, but federal tax considerations remain important. Careful planning helps donors maximize allowable deductions while aligning gifts with long-term philanthropic and financial goals.
Comparing Charitable Giving Options
Several legal vehicles are available for charitable giving, each with distinct features. Direct bequests in a will are simple and clear, while donor-advised funds offer flexibility for recommending grants over time. Charitable remainder trusts can provide income to beneficiaries and leave a remainder to charity, which may be attractive when balancing family and philanthropic aims. The right choice depends on priorities such as timing of the gift, tax goals, and desired control. Comparing these options side by side helps you select an approach that aligns with your personal goals and financial circumstances.
When a Simple Giving Plan Is Appropriate:
Supporting a Small Number of Charities
If your intention is to support just a few organizations with straightforward distributions, a limited approach such as specific bequests in a will or beneficiary designations may be sufficient. This method keeps documentation simple, reduces administrative complexity, and is easy for family or fiduciaries to follow. For many San Carlos residents with modest charitable allocations or clear philanthropic targets, a simple plan provides clarity without the costs associated with establishing and maintaining more complex vehicles, while still ensuring that chosen charities receive the intended support.
When Charitable Gifts Have Minimal Tax Impact
When charitable gifts are modest and unlikely to affect federal estate tax exposure significantly, keeping the giving plan simple can be appropriate. Basic bequests or beneficiary designations allow donors to carry out philanthropic intentions without additional planning complexity. In cases where tax considerations are minimal, prioritizing clarity and ease of administration can be preferable, ensuring charitable wishes are documented without creating burdensome structures. This approach often satisfies donors who seek a straightforward way to give while maintaining focus on family provisions and standard estate planning needs.
When a Comprehensive Charitable Plan Is Advisable:
Complex Family or Financial Situations
A more comprehensive charitable giving plan is often necessary when family dynamics or financial arrangements are complex. Situations involving blended families, significant business interests, or multiple beneficiaries require careful balancing of charitable intentions with family provisions. Comprehensive planning helps prevent disputes, ensures fair treatment of heirs, and structures gifts to achieve both philanthropic and financial objectives. By documenting detailed instructions and selecting suitable legal vehicles, donors can protect family relationships while directing meaningful support to chosen nonprofits.
Maximizing Tax and Legacy Benefits
When maximizing tax benefits or shaping a long-term philanthropic legacy is a priority, a comprehensive plan provides more tools and flexibility. Vehicles like charitable remainder trusts and donor-advised funds can be structured to offer income planning, potential tax advantages, and staged support for charities. A detailed plan also allows for contingency provisions and precise control over how gifts are used. For donors in San Carlos seeking to optimize both tax outcomes and sustained charitable impact, a thoughtful, multi-faceted approach can preserve assets and ensure philanthropic goals endure.
Benefits of a Comprehensive Charitable Giving Approach
Taking a comprehensive approach to charitable giving allows donors to tailor plans to unique goals, maximize available tax advantages, and integrate philanthropy with broader estate planning objectives. This level of planning provides greater flexibility to adjust gifts over time, protect family interests, and specify detailed conditions for distributions. Comprehensive plans also include clear administrative guidance so that trustees and executors can carry out your wishes efficiently. As a result, donors gain confidence that their philanthropic intentions will be honored while preserving value for heirs.
Comprehensive planning supports smoother administration by documenting roles, timelines, and contingencies for charitable distributions. It reduces ambiguity for those tasked with implementing the plan and helps avoid disputes among heirs or between beneficiaries and charities. In addition, integrated planning considers the interaction between retirement accounts, real estate, and business interests to ensure gifting strategies are effective. For San Carlos residents who want a considered legacy combined with sensible financial outcomes, the comprehensive route provides clarity and enduring impact.
Greater Control Over Gift Distribution
A comprehensive plan provides detailed control over when, how, and to whom gifts are distributed, which helps align charitable outcomes with personal intentions. This control includes specifying conditions, timing, and the administrators responsible for carrying out distributions. By creating clear rules and oversight mechanisms, donors can ensure that gifts support intended programs or purposes and that distributions occur according to a timeline that matches broader estate objectives. Such structure helps protect both charitable goals and family interests over the long term.
Improved Financial and Tax Outcomes
Integrating charitable giving with overall estate planning can enhance financial outcomes by leveraging tax deductions and strategically allocating assets. Thoughtful selection of giving vehicles and coordination with retirement accounts, insurance, or business interests can preserve more value for heirs while supporting charities. Comprehensive planning considers timing, valuations, and regulatory details to optimize benefits. As a result, donors may achieve both philanthropic goals and favorable financial positioning for family members through a coordinated, well-documented approach.
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Practical Tips for Charitable Giving Planning
Start Early with Planning
Starting charitable planning early gives you time to consider options, select charities, and coordinate gifts with broader estate objectives. Early planning allows for greater flexibility in choosing vehicles that match your goals, such as donor-advised funds or trusts, and for meeting administrative requirements. It also helps identify potential tax strategies and funding sources, while providing an opportunity to communicate intentions to family members. By beginning the process well before documents are needed, you can refine your plan and ensure it fits with changes in life circumstances and financial outlook.
Be Specific About Your Charitable Intentions
Consider Tax Implications Carefully
Understanding the tax consequences of different giving methods is key to maximizing benefits for both your estate and chosen charities. Some vehicles provide immediate tax deductions, while others affect estate tax calculations. Reviewing federal tax rules and how gifts interact with retirement accounts, capital gains, and property transfers can reveal strategies that preserve value for heirs while supporting nonprofits. Careful planning ensures that tax considerations support your philanthropic goals rather than complicate them, and it helps you choose the most appropriate vehicle for your situation.
Why Consider Charitable Giving as Part of Your Estate Plan
Charitable giving planning offers an opportunity to align your legacy with causes that matter to you while managing financial implications for your family. It can reduce the taxable value of your estate in certain circumstances, provide structured support to nonprofits, and ensure your philanthropic intentions are carried out as you intend. Including charitable directions in estate documents provides clarity, protects the intended use of funds, and helps administration proceed smoothly after your passing. Thoughtful planning creates a lasting impact that reflects personal values and priorities.
Another reason to include charitable planning is the ability to balance family needs with philanthropic goals. By choosing appropriate vehicles, you can provide for heirs and still make meaningful donations. Structured planning also helps avoid unintended consequences, such as gifts that conflict with creditor rules or retirement account payout mechanics. Careful coordination and clear documentation ensure that both family members and charities receive what you intended, reducing the risk of disputes and simplifying administration for those responsible for carrying out your plan.
Common Situations Where Charitable Giving Planning Helps
Charitable giving planning is especially helpful when you want to create a lasting philanthropic legacy, face complex family dynamics, or have assets that require strategic tax planning. It is also useful when you support multiple organizations and want a clear way to allocate gifts over time. Additionally, donors with retirement accounts, real estate, or business interests benefit from tailored guidance to ensure gifts are structured effectively. In these cases, careful planning clarifies intentions and streamlines implementation for fiduciaries and beneficiaries.
Desire to Create a Lasting Philanthropic Legacy
If establishing an enduring legacy for causes you care about is a priority, planning ensures your resources are directed to those organizations in a way that matches your goals. You can set conditions, timing, and administration to preserve the intended impact. Vehicles like trusts, foundations, or donor-advised funds may support sustained giving or targeted programs. Documenting detailed instructions and appointing responsible fiduciaries helps ensure your philanthropic wishes continue beyond your lifetime and remain aligned with your values.
Managing Complex Family Needs
When family dynamics are complex, including blended households or differing beneficiary needs, integrating charitable gifts into an overall estate plan requires balancing multiple priorities. Thoughtful planning helps allocate assets between heirs and charities in a way that reduces potential conflicts and provides clear directions for administrators. Structuring gifts to address both family support and philanthropic intent allows donors to fulfill charitable aims without compromising the financial security of loved ones, creating a balanced outcome for all stakeholders.
Optimizing Estate and Income Tax Benefits
When reducing tax burdens is an objective, charitable strategies can play a role in preserving estate value and leveraging deductions. Selecting the appropriate giving vehicle and timing gifts to align with tax rules can improve outcomes for heirs and charities alike. Whether considering immediate deductions, estate tax planning, or income planning through trusts, careful coordination allows donors to meet philanthropic goals while managing tax exposure. Such planning requires attention to federal rules and the relationship between charitable gifts and other estate planning elements.
We Are Here to Help with Charitable Giving in San Carlos
Why Choose Our Firm for Charitable Giving Planning
Our firm focuses on estate planning services that include charitable giving, offering practical legal guidance tailored to San Carlos residents. We emphasize clear communication and careful document drafting to reflect your philanthropic and family objectives. Our process includes assessing your goals, reviewing financial factors, and recommending giving vehicles suited to your priorities. We work to make implementation straightforward by coordinating beneficiary designations and preparing precise legal instruments that align with current law.
We stay informed about relevant California and federal rules that affect charitable giving and estate administration, and we apply that knowledge to structure thoughtful, compliant plans. That includes practical considerations like coordinating with financial institutions, confirming charity eligibility, and addressing administrative steps required to carry out gifts. The goal is to create a plan that minimizes uncertainty, reduces administrative burdens for successors, and achieves both philanthropic and family financial objectives.
Clients receive personalized attention throughout the planning process, from initial conversations about charitable goals to the preparation and execution of legal documents. We provide ongoing support when circumstances change or when updates are needed, helping ensure your plan continues to align with your intentions. Our service focuses on clarity, careful documentation, and reliable implementation so your charitable legacy is preserved in line with your values and priorities.
Contact Our Team to Begin Your Charitable Giving Plan
How Our Charitable Giving Process Works
Our process begins with listening to your philanthropic goals and reviewing your financial and family circumstances to identify appropriate giving strategies. From there we explain options, prepare draft documents, and coordinate implementation steps. We assist with beneficiary designations, trust funding, and liaising with financial institutions and charities to ensure gifts are executed as intended. After implementation, we remain available for updates and periodic reviews so your plan continues to reflect changes in circumstances and law.
Step One: Initial Consultation and Goal Assessment
The initial consultation focuses on identifying your charitable priorities, discussing the organizations you wish to support, and reviewing assets that might be used for gifts. We also consider family dynamics, retirement accounts, and potential tax issues. This assessment clarifies whether simple bequests or more detailed arrangements like trusts or donor-advised funds better suit your needs. By establishing clear objectives early, the planning process becomes more efficient and better aligned with your estate goals.
Discussing Goals and Philanthropic Priorities
In this phase we explore which causes matter most to you, how you envision supporting them, and whether you prefer immediate gifts or staged giving over time. Questions cover the desired timing of gifts, whether income should be provided to family first, and any restrictions or purposes for donations. Having these conversations up front ensures that recommended legal structures match both charitable aims and family considerations, providing a clear foundation for drafting effective documents.
Reviewing Financial and Family Considerations
We review financial assets, retirement accounts, real estate, and business interests to determine the most efficient ways to fund charitable gifts. Family circumstances such as dependents, blended households, or beneficiary expectations are considered to balance philanthropic goals with support for heirs. This step identifies potential conflicts and tax implications so that the chosen charitable approach aligns with broader estate planning objectives and minimizes unintended consequences for your loved ones.
Step Two: Developing the Charitable Giving Strategy
Based on the assessment, we recommend specific vehicles and structures that best meet your objectives, whether that involves bequests, donor-advised funds, or trusts. This stage includes evaluating the advantages and limitations of each option, estimating likely tax implications, and crafting a strategy that balances philanthropic impact and family needs. The goal is to provide a clear, implementable plan that integrates seamlessly with your overall estate planning documents.
Evaluating Giving Vehicles and Their Impact
We explain how different vehicles work and how they affect control, timing, and tax outcomes. For instance, donor-advised funds offer ongoing flexibility, while charitable remainder trusts can provide income for beneficiaries before the remainder goes to charity. We consider funding sources and how each option will interact with retirement assets, real estate, or business interests. This evaluation helps you select a structure that best supports both charitable and family objectives.
Drafting Clear Legal Documents
Once a strategy is chosen, we prepare precise legal documents such as trust agreements, will provisions, and beneficiary designation instructions. Drafting focuses on clarity to ensure administrators and fiduciaries understand and can carry out your intentions. Documents address timing, distribution instructions, trustee powers, and contingency plans. Well-drafted instruments reduce the likelihood of disputes and make implementation more efficient for those responsible for administering your estate and charitable gifts.
Step Three: Finalizing and Implementing the Plan
After you review and approve documents, we assist with signing, funding trusts, and coordinating with financial institutions and charities to confirm beneficiary designations and gift instructions. We provide guidance on any third-party steps required to transfer assets or establish funds. Ensuring proper implementation protects against administrative errors and helps guarantee that gifts are delivered according to your plan.
Execution, Coordination, and Funding
This stage includes executing documents, funding trusts, updating account beneficiary designations, and confirming charity acceptance where necessary. Coordination with banks, brokerage firms, and retirement plan administrators may be required to effect transfers. Ensuring each step is completed prevents gaps that could frustrate your charitable intentions and provides a documented trail showing that gifts were planned and carried out as you directed.
Ongoing Review and Plan Updates
After implementation, periodic reviews are recommended to confirm the plan still reflects your goals and to accommodate life changes, legal updates, or shifts in charitable priorities. Routine updates to wills, trust terms, or beneficiary designations ensure continued alignment with current circumstances. Regular review provides the opportunity to adjust timing, beneficiaries, or the structure of gifts to respond to evolving family or financial situations, maintaining the effectiveness of your charitable legacy.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Charitable Giving in San Carlos
What are common ways to include charities in an estate plan?
Common approaches include direct bequests in a will, donor-advised funds, beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, and charitable trusts. Each method varies by timing, control, and tax treatment. Bequests are simple to include and take effect after death, while donor-advised funds allow for immediate tax benefits and flexible grant recommendations over time. Charitable trusts can offer income to beneficiaries during life with the remainder going to charity, which is useful for balancing family needs and philanthropy. Selecting the right approach depends on your goals, the assets involved, and whether you want ongoing control or a planned posthumous gift.
How do charitable remainder trusts work?
A charitable remainder trust holds assets that provide income to named beneficiaries for a set period or for life, with the remaining principal distributed to designated charities at the end of the term. The trust is funded during life and can offer an income stream for heirs while ensuring charities receive the remainder. This structure may provide certain tax advantages at the time of funding and can be used to convert appreciated assets into an income-producing vehicle. It suits donors who want to support family income needs and leave a philanthropic legacy under one coordinated plan.
What is a donor-advised fund and is it right for me?
A donor-advised fund is an account held by a sponsoring organization into which you contribute assets, receive an immediate tax benefit, and later recommend grants to charities. The sponsoring organization handles administration, so donors avoid the overhead of a private foundation while maintaining influence over grant timing and recipients. Donor-advised funds work well for individuals who want flexible, ongoing giving without creating a separate legal entity. They simplify recordkeeping, allow giving over time, and can be a practical option for consolidating charitable contributions across multiple charities.
Can charitable gifts reduce estate taxes?
Charitable gifts can reduce the taxable value of an estate under federal rules, which may lower estate taxes in certain situations. The specific benefit depends on the size of the estate, the vehicle used for giving, and current tax law. In many cases, making charitable gifts through an estate plan enables donors to direct assets to nonprofits while mitigating tax exposure for heirs. Because California does not have a state estate tax, federal considerations are primary. Careful planning and coordination with retirement accounts, insurance, and trust structures are necessary to maximize tax advantages and achieve the desired philanthropic outcome.
Can I change charitable gifts after I create my plan?
Yes, many charitable instructions can be changed, depending on the vehicle and how it is documented. Wills may be amended or replaced, beneficiary designations on accounts can be updated, and some donor-advised funds allow new grant recommendations. However, certain trusts or irrevocable arrangements may limit the ability to modify terms. Regular review of your plan ensures it continues to reflect current intentions. If you expect changes, choosing flexible vehicles or including amendment procedures can make updates easier while preserving the overall charitable purpose you envision.
Which charities qualify for estate gifts?
Most public charities, educational institutions, religious organizations, and other nonprofit entities recognized under federal tax rules qualify to receive estate gifts. It is important to confirm the organization’s tax-exempt status and legal name to ensure the gift is effective. Some vehicles require the recipient to meet specific criteria established by the fund or trust document. Before directing a gift, verify the charity’s eligibility and consider whether you want unrestricted support or to allocate funds for a specified purpose. Clear identification prevents administrative issues and ensures the gift is used as intended.
How do charitable bequests affect heirs?
Charitable bequests reduce the portion of an estate available to heirs, so it is important to balance philanthropic intentions with family provisions. When well planned, gifts to charities can coexist with meaningful support for heirs, using structures that provide family income while leaving a remainder to charity. Communication with family members about your intentions can reduce surprises and potential disputes. Effective planning considers anticipated estate size and the needs of beneficiaries so that gifts do not unintentionally disadvantage heirs. Coordination between charitable giving and other estate provisions helps achieve both family security and philanthropic goals.
Are there California-specific rules to consider?
California does not impose a separate state estate tax, but state law affects probate procedures and certain aspects of estate administration. Donors should consider how California rules interact with federal tax provisions and how assets are titled under state law. Local processes may influence timing and documentation required to carry out charitable gifts. Working through state-specific mechanics, such as beneficiary designations on accounts governed by California law or probate procedures, ensures gifts are implemented correctly. Reviewing the plan with attention to California rules helps avoid administrative complications during estate administration.
How much does charitable giving planning cost?
Costs for charitable giving planning vary with complexity. Simple will provisions or beneficiary designation updates are typically less expensive than establishing trusts or complex funding arrangements. Fees reflect the time needed to assess assets, draft documents, coordinate with financial institutions, and assist with implementation. Before proceeding, discuss anticipated fees and scope of services so you understand the cost for the recommended strategy. Investing in clear documentation and proper implementation can reduce future administration expenses and help ensure your charitable intentions are fulfilled efficiently.
What documents are needed to finalize a charitable giving plan?
Common documents needed include an updated will with bequest language, trust agreements if using trust vehicles, and beneficiary designations for retirement accounts and life insurance. Additional paperwork may include account transfer forms, trust funding documents, and letters of instruction for administrators. Identifying the correct legal names and tax identification numbers for recipient charities is also important. Collecting account statements, deeds, and information about business interests helps in planning and implementing gifts. Proper documentation at the outset streamlines execution and reduces the risk of errors when carrying out your charitable plan.