Charitable Giving After a Liquidity Event
Philanthropic strategy for newly realized wealth By Amanda Buntmann, Vice President, Client Advisor, Philanthropic Services, Whittier Trust A liquidity event often begins with spreadsheets, attorneys, and tax projections. But for many wealthy families, the more consequential questions emerge afterward. In one early meeting following a significant business sale, three generations gathered around the table: a […]
When Wealth Decisions Become Family Decisions
Creating the right structure to align generations on family legacy and long-term wealthBy Brian G. Bissell, Senior Vice President, Client Advisor, Whittier Trust Wealth planning can be straightforward when one person holds the reins. A single decision-maker with a clear vision can work efficiently with a team of specialists, such as financial advisors and estate […]
Managing Concentrated Wealth: When Success Becomes Risk
Rethinking wealth before and after a major liquidity eventBy Craig T. Ayers, Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager, Whittier Trust Later this year, the market may see a new wave of high-profile public offerings, with companies like SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic frequently cited among potential entrants. If even a portion of these materialize, some […]
A Philanthropic Write-Off for the 70-Plus Set
How qualified charitable distributions work and how they can help offset tax burdens By Gregg Millward, Whittier Trust Client Advisor Anyone nearing the age of 70 should be aware that you will soon have some age-specific tax rules to consider in managing your money. The good news is that many of them are quite beneficial. […]
Planning for a Major Philanthropic Gift
Three steps to making a transformational donationBy Whittier Trust A major gift to a university, hospital, museum, or other well-known institution can be a transformative undertaking for both you and the intended recipient. Perhaps you’re considering a substantial sum for an organization you already support, or maybe you have no prior relationship at all. Either […]
Next Generation Philanthropy: How to Approach International Giving Strategically
Philanthropy is becoming an increasingly important way to engage the next generation. As families look to prepare rising generations for greater responsibility, many are expanding the conversation beyond local giving to include global impact. With that comes new considerations, from evaluating international nonprofits to navigating cross-border complexity and aligning giving with long-term intentions. In this […]
What It’s Like to Work at Whittier Trust
In this video, you’ll hear directly from our advisors, leaders, and team members across our offices, sharing what has shaped their experience and why they’ve chosen to grow their careers here. A few things stood out. The culture is collaborative and built on mutual respect. People take their work seriously and support one another. There […]
New Advances in Alzheimer’s Treatment: A Webinar for Families and Advisors
Whittier Trust partnered with the Alzheimer’s Association to host a conversation on new advances in Alzheimer’s treatments, featuring Dr. Charles S. Wilcox. In this discussion, Dr. Wilcox explores how emerging therapies are designed to work, who may be a candidate for treatment, and what families should understand about potential benefits, risks, and access. For many […]
Whittier Trust Promotes Ashley Fontanetta to Director of Philanthropic Services and the Retirement of Pegine Grayson
Ashley Fontanetta has been promoted to Director of Philanthropic Services at Whittier Trust. Ashley has served as a Senior Vice President and Client Advisor, advising families on philanthropic planning and administration. In her new role, she leads the Whittier Philanthropic department and continues guiding clients in the formation and management of private foundations and donor […]
Plan to Give
Charitable giving strategies in the wake of the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” The One Big Beautiful Bill (“OBBB”) significantly changed the tax deductibility of charitable contributions in 2026 and onward by introducing two additional limitations for filers who itemize their deductions. The first limitation sets a 0.5% adjusted gross income (“AGI”) floor on deductible contributions. […]