A charitable lead trust (CLT) can prove to be a guard against sudden wealth causing familial harm. It provides a tax-efficient tool with a built-in waiting period that manages the influx of wealth over time and allows the business owner and their family to engage in creating charitable impact that can bring generations together in doing good.

The vast majority of donors engage in “checkbook charity.” A gift of cash is easy to execute and is straight-forward. Even affluent donors with high incomes and high net worth give cash. According to the 2025 Bank of America (BOA)  Study of Philanthropy,  nearly 82% of affluent donor households made gifts directly from their personal assets and income. However, the remaining 18% utilize some sort of charitable giving vehicle. These savvy donors have blended concerns about c