Professional Advisors Network
A lifetime of work often leads to a simple question – what's the best way to leave legacy?
Clients build businesses, assets, and family wealth over time. Many begin to think about how that success might contribute to the communities that shaped them.
As a trusted advisor, you’re often part of that conversation.
The Professional Advisors Network connects you with practical tools, local insight, and philanthropic expertise to support structured charitable giving. We help translate philanthropic intent into lasting community impact across Te Tauihu.
Across the region, advisors are already supporting these conversations as part of long-term planning with their clients.
Charitable giving is often part of broader planning conversations.
When approached well, these discussions are thoughtful, personal, and genuinely rewarding.
They create space to connect financial decisions with what matters most to your clients, their values, their community, and what they want to leave behind.
For many clients, this thinking comes into focus during key moments, including:
• estate planning
• sale of a business or significant asset
• retirement
• inheritance
• major life events
“Are there any charitable or community needs you would like to consider?”
A simple prompt can make a difference
Research shows that clients are significantly more likely to consider charitable giving when their advisor raises it as part of the conversation.
• 71% of high-net-worth individuals agree that discussing philanthropy with their advisor is important.
• 78% of advisors believe discussing charitable giving is good for their business.
• Research suggests 3 times as many people will leave a gift if their advisor suggests it’s something other people do.
• Twice as many people are likely to leave a gift in their will if it is presented as an option.
(US Trust & Philanthropic Initiative 2018 | UK 2016 Legacy Giving and Behavioural Insights)
For many advisors, these discussions also strengthen client relationships and support more meaningful long-term planning.
How we support Professional Advisors
We work alongside you to support your client relationship, never to replace it.
- Practical tools and resources to support client conversations
- Consultation on charitable and financial goals
- Guidance on trustee succession planning
- Advice on non-cash gifts, including property, shares, or insurance
- A short information session for your team
Why Top of the South Community Foundation for your clients
- Access to independent, local philanthropic expertise
- Help your clients make a meaningful difference in the region they call home
- Maximum tax benefits, donations may qualify for a 33.3% tax credit
- Deep local knowledge of causes and community needs across Te Tauihu
- Professional investment management and robust governance
- Easy and efficient administration — we handle the complexity
How your client can give
- Named Endowment Fund — a permanent fund in your client’s name, directed to the causes they choose
- Giving to an established fund — any amount directed to an existing TSCF fund, no minimum
How advisors engage
The Professional Advisors Network is designed to fit alongside the way you already work.
Advisors typically engage in simple, practical ways — accessing resources, introducing TSCF when philanthropy arises in client conversations, and participating in occasional briefings or events.
You can engage at a level that suits your practice.
When these conversations are approached well, the impact is both practical and lasting.
Trusted by advisors. Proven through local impact.
Across Te Tauihu, we see the impact of structured giving every day — in the organisations supported, the communities strengthened, and the advisors helping guide those conversations.
Community impact
TSCF funding supports a wide range of organisations across the region, from youth development and community services to environmental restoration and the arts.
Across recent grant rounds, more than 50 organisations have been supported across Nelson and Tasman, with over $[TOTAL] distributed to local initiatives, reflecting both the depth of need and the strength of organisations delivering meaningful work in their communities.
One example is Big Brothers Big Sisters of Nelson-Tasman, where TSCF contributed $10,000 to support the Mohua Mentoring Coordinator role in Golden Bay.
This role connects young people with mentors, supports those relationships over time, and works alongside families, schools, and local agencies to ensure safe, well-supported outcomes.
Through this work, rangatahi build confidence, resilience, and a stronger sense of direction over time.
Hero donors
What advisors say
Advisor resources
A practical set of tools to support different stages of the giving conversation, from first discussion through to formalising a client’s wishes.
Understanding how it works — [Guide to Giving Through TSCF ]
Starting the conversation — [Guide to Client Giving Conversations]
When a client is ready to act — [Guidance Notes for Lawyers]
Supporting materials — [Named Endowment Fund leaflet], [Will Information Pack], [CFNZ] & [Dentons White Paper], [Named Endowment Fund Memorandum of Wishes]
Stay connected
Receive occasional updates on local giving, community impact, and insights relevant to professional advisors.
Photos from Nelsontasman.nz, Only Marlborough and Unsplash.
Made with ♥️ by Avoca in Nelson, New Zealand