Partners in Purpose

A Note from Elizabeth Welch

I may have met some of you already throughout my first month at Gulf Coast Community Foundation as the Director of Professional Advisor Relationships, but for those of you I haven’t, I’m looking forward to that time. In this role, I am most excited to partner with you as a trusted resource — offering insights that spark meaningful conversations with clients and sharing strategies for tax-savvy charitable giving that help maximize the impact of supporting the causes your clients care about.

I hold a Bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of Texas (go Longhorns) and earned my law degree from the University of Miami (go Canes). Over the past two decades, I’ve worked across the nonprofit sector in areas ranging from higher education and conservation to healthcare and poverty relief. When I’m not working, you’ll find me kayaking, hiking, or spending time with my husband Glenn and our two rescue dogs.

Helping Clients Find Meaning Through Charitable Giving

As your resource in charitable planning, I'm here to empower you as you guide clients through their giving strategies. Finding meaning through charitable giving and understanding what your clients truly care about can help elevate your conversations surrounding estate or financial planning.

Fortunately, research offers insights into how you can engage in meaningful conversations that enhance the value you offer.

The numbers show that year after year, people are giving money to U.S. charities–to the tune of $592.50 billion in 2024 alone according to Giving USA. Indeed, many of your clients are probably philanthropic; more than 85% of affluent households give to charities each year. Twenty-two percent of affluent individuals indicated they had a charitable giving vehicle they use to make charitable gifts, and 54% of affluent households with a net worth between $5 million and $20 million have or plan to establish a giving vehicle within the next three years. You can learn more about giving trends here.

“We really enjoy giving to charities.”

Philanthropy is a positive experience for the benefactor, not just the beneficiaries. Research suggests that the benefits are both psychological and physiological. This is in sharp contrast to something clients may view as a mostly negative or stressful experience–updating financial and estate plans. Estate planning forces clients to confront uncomfortable topics such as their own mortality, potential incapacity, and the possibility of family conflict, not to mention the complexity of the planning process, fear of making the wrong decisions, and anxiety about financial security. By infusing charitable giving into the conversation, you’re taking the pressure off the uncomfortable topics and potentially lifting the mood of the entire process.

Let's Connect

As your clients’ trusted advisor, you're in a unique position to bring clarity, optimism, and meaning to their planning process. And you're not alone in that effort. I’d welcome the chance to connect—whether over a phone call or a brief meeting—to explore how we can collaborate.

Feel free to reach out to schedule a time that works for you. I look forward to partnering with you.

Connect with me!