20 Resources to Build Your Clients’ Charitable Giving Knowledge
OUR favorite books, podcasts and Ted Talks for helping your clients achieve their philanthropic goals
There is no exact science to philanthropy. To help you provide the best service possible to your charitably-minded clients, we have compiled a list of books, TED Talks and podcasts that we recommend to support people in their giving.
Giving Resources - Books
Help your clients explore their philanthropic visions and interests
- The Generosity Plan: Sharing Your Time, Treasure, and to Shape the World by Kathy LeMay
- Abundance: The Future Is Better Than You Think by Peter Diamandis and Steven Kotler
- Reinventing Philanthropy: A Framework for More Effective Giving by Eric Friedman
- Money Well Spent: A Strategic Plan for Smart Philanthropy by Paul Brest and Hal Harvey
Help your clients involve their families in giving
- Ethical Wills: Putting Your Values on Paper by Barry K. Baines
- Generous Genes: Raising Caring Kids in a Digital Age by Susan Crites Price and Julianna M. Price
- The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous, and About Money by Ron Lieber
Help your clients establish their legacies
- Do More than Give: The Six Practices of Donors Who Change the World by John V. Kania, Leslie R. Crutchfield and Mark R. Kramer
- Give Smart: Philanthropy that Gets Results by Joel L. Fleishman and Thomas J. Tierney
- Beyond Success: Building a Personal, Financial, and Philanthropic Legacy by Randy Ottinger
- The Art of Giving: Where the Soul Meets a Business Plan by Charles Bronfman and Jeffrey Solomon
Charitable Giving Resources - TED Talks & Podcasts
Help your clients explore their philanthropic visions and interests
- The Extraordinary Power of Ordinary People with Sherwin Nuland
- Should You Donate Differently? with Joy Sun
- You Are the Future of Philanthropy with Katherine Fulton
- The Best Stats You’ve Ever Seen with Hans Rosling
Help your clients establish their legacies
- What’s your 200-year plan? with Raghava KK
- The Why and How of Effective Altruism with Peter Singer
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Grants to Individuals: What the IRS Allows Nonprofits to Do
IRS rules, exceptions and best practices you and your clients should know.
See the Rules
The Charitable Gift of Life Insurance
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2026 Tax Changes Advisors Should Know About Charitable Giving
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Chanda Smith Baker: Leading with Legacy and Vision at Minnesota’s Largest Community Foundation
The Foundation’s new President and CEO shares her journey, her commitment to community, and her hopes for building bridges across Minnesota’s philanthropic landscape.
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Five Tips to Prepare Your Clients for End-of-year Giving
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Empowering Women Through Financial Coaching
Joan Gilles of Financial Planning Partners is helping women strengthen their financial approach and amplify their impact.
Read the Q&A