𝐃𝐀𝐅: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐨𝐧𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥 (𝐎𝐁𝐁𝐁)
- Theodore Hart
- Jul 7
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 9
On July 4th, President Trump signed into law the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB). As details come into sharper focus, advisors to high-net-worth families—estate attorneys, CPAs, family office leaders—are realizing how consequential this is for wealth and philanthropy. One insight spreading: under the new law, families can “stack” multiple trusts per family member, each benefiting from the expanded $15M per-person and $30M per-couple exemption, adjusted for inflation.
𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠
This isn’t just clever tax strategy. It signals a window of accelerated wealth planning, with charitable tools like donor-advised funds (DAFs) becoming more central than ever.
DAFs offer flexibility, let families commit assets to philanthropy now while planning future grantmaking, and provide an elegant vehicle for multigenerational giving. As families activate new trusts, advisors have an opportunity—and arguably a responsibility—to guide clients holistically. This isn’t just about reducing taxable estates; it’s about shaping legacy, aligning wealth with values, and putting charitable capital to work.
𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝
Importantly, not all giving vehicles are treated equally. OBBB introduces a universal charitable deduction—$1,000 for individuals, $2,000 for couples, even for non-itemizers—applying only to direct gifts to operating charities.
Contributions to DAFs, supporting orgs, and private foundations are excluded. This aims to encourage immediate-use charitable dollars among non-itemizers. DAF contributions remain fully eligible for itemizers under existing rules.
𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐨𝐧𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬
Nonprofits should pay close attention. This is the time to amplify outreach, especially to major donors reconsidering plans under the new law. Be ready to explain how DAF gifts can meet urgent needs, strengthen long-term resilience, and drive impact in communities facing unprecedented challenges, including cuts to public safety nets.
We need nonprofits that tell compelling stories of need, opportunity, and partnership—helping donors turn technical advantage into real-world change.
This is how we move from uncertainty to activation.
If you’re an advisor wondering how to support clients, or a nonprofit leader wondering how to connect with donors now, I invite you to reach out. These conversations matter.
Together, let’s ensure this extraordinary moment doesn’t just shift wealth on paper—but channels resources toward purpose, community, and the common good.
NOTE: As with any major legislation, provisions may evolve as regulatory guidance is issued.