How Wealth Advisors Can Transform Client Giving with WellConnect

The statistics should alarm anyone in wealth advisory: 70-90% of the next generation plans to fire their parents' wealth advisor, citing lack of digital tools and shared values as primary reasons. Meanwhile, 97% of millennials consider charitable giving part of their overall wealth strategy.

This disconnect represents both a massive risk and an unprecedented opportunity. Here's how forward-thinking advisors use WellConnect to bridge that gap and deliver meaningful philanthropic outcomes.

The Traditional Philanthropy Problem

Most wealth advisors struggle with charitable giving conversations. The 2014 "Philanthropic Conversation" study revealed the scope: while 90% of financial advisors reported discussing philanthropy with high-net-worth clients, only 13% of clients reported having such discussions—and less than half of those found them meaningful.

The typical process involves scattered online research, cold outreach to organizations, and time-consuming vetting that frustrates both advisors and clients. Too often, it ends with, “let’s just give to the same organization the parents supported.”

A Better Approach: The WellConnect Method

Jane’s client wants to address poverty issues in their hometown of Winnipeg. Instead of spending weeks researching organizations, she creates a strategic giving opportunity in under 30 minutes. 

Step 1: Define Clear Parameters

Using WellConnect's Giving Opportunity filters, she helps her client narrow their focus:

• Geographic focus: Winnipeg area
• Cause area: Poverty alleviation
• Organization size: Under $2M revenue (supporting grassroots initiatives)
• Impact requirement: Direct service delivery

Step 2: Create Targeted Questions

Rather than reviewing generic applications, Jane creates specific screening questions:

• "How do you measure poverty reduction outcomes?"
• "What barriers limit your program scaling?"
• "How would a $25,000 grant be allocated?"
• "What partnerships drive your most effective work?"

Step 3: Launch and Connect

WellConnect automatically invites all organizations that are qualified for this opportunity. Within three weeks, Jane received eight high-quality applications with standardized, comparable responses.

The Results: Quality Over Quantity

Instead of wading through lengthy proposals, trying to fire up her own expensive grant management tool, or managing paperwork, she received focused responses that spoke directly to her client’s interests—and delivered more value than her client expected.

This makes 30-minute Zoom calls about strategy and vision possible, with basic due diligence already taken care of.

Why This Matters for Your Practice

Canada's $750 billion wealth transfer over the next decade isn't just about assets—it's about relationships. Younger generations expect:

• Technology-enabled service delivery.
• Values-based engagement opportunities.
• Transparent, data-driven processes.
• Collaborative rather than transactional relationships.

Strategic philanthropy platforms like WellConnect help advisors deliver these expectations while strengthening client relationships and creating competitive differentiation.

Getting Started

The process requires minimal additional work from your existing client service model. Most advisors can set up their first giving opportunity in under an hour and see results within 4-6 weeks.

For advisors looking to differentiate their practice while meeting evolving client expectations, the question isn't whether charitable giving will become more important to client relationships—it's whether you'll be prepared to facilitate those conversations effectively.

In an industry facing unprecedented disruption, sophisticated philanthropic guidance may be one of the most valuable services you can provide.

Start today at app.wellfunded.io and see how WellFunded can make your advising smarter, faster, and more impactful.