Our Model of Service

For many people, charitable giving begins with questions. Where can I make the greatest impact? Should I involve my family? How does philanthropy fit into my financial plans? There isn't a one-size-fits-all answer. "We recognize every donor is at a different stage," says Rebecca Sauer, Grants and Donor Services Manager. By understanding your goals and priorities, we can help you explore options and make informed decisions about your charitable giving. “We help guide the donor in their journey, whether that's early on in life, upon retirement or leaving a legacy upon death,” says Sauer. “There is recognition that a conversation we have now might result in action 10 years from now. Understanding what stage our donors are at and what they need in the moment is how we show up for them.”

Our goal is to empower you to make change in the communities you cherish. Whether you wish to give $500 or $5 million, our expert staff take a holistic, personalized approach to help you develop a strategic charitable plan from giving (how you contribute to your charitable fund today and over time) through granting (how you recommend support for the causes you cherish).

Generosity grows from truly being heard—and from having the support to take the next step when the time is right. Whether you want to leave a legacy for those you love, support your church or community, or give back to other causes you cherish, we take the complexity out of giving. By supporting you as you navigate your options and finding solutions that work for you, we help you spread the joy of generosity and fill the world with hope, your way.

Recommending support for the causes you cherish

We offer flexible, values-aligned granting options—from supporting U.S. charities working locally, nationally, or abroad, to benefiting international causes through global intermediaries. Our role is to reduce complexity and help your generosity reach the people and communities you cherish.

To illuminate your path to personal impact, we:

• Build an understanding of your charitable intent, desired geography, and level of involvement.
• Recommend the most appropriate granting pathway.
• Discuss costs, timelines and compliance transparently, so you can give with confidence.
• Do our due diligence to research special granting requests to help you support the causes you love.
• Remain involved over time, supporting future grants, renewals, and evolving interests.

Our Grants and Donor Services team helps you experience the joy of generosity. “It’s all about reminding people what is possible,” says Sauer. Through individualized care, our support is built around your needs and your vision for impact. We walk alongside you as a steward, helping you move from inspiration to action with confidence and clarity.

Connect with Grants and Donor Services to:

• Conduct philanthropic reviews to help you reflect on your goals, extend your impact, and identify future giving opportunities.
• Develop, review, and refine your positive impact plan.
• Receive research and due diligence on charities aligned with the change you seek.
• Engage in unique grantmaking scenarios, including international grants.
• Build and update your fund’s legacy plan, including beneficiaries, advisors and contingencies.
• Recommend new grants, track grant status, or request expedited grants.
• Verify charities are eligible to receive support from your fund.

With the right guidance, these conversations can turn into meaningful action. Sauer reflects, “I hope our donors feel empowered to make change in the world, know the next step and are inspired to take it, and trust us to be a partner alongside them in their journey.”

Our Charitable Giving Services team designs solutions to amplify your generosity. Through tailored support, our expert charitable planning staff partners with you and your financial advisor to develop visionary gifting models matching your charitable giving and financial goals.

Connect with Charitable Giving Services to:

• Receive direct, specialized expertise for charitable giving strategies.
• Develop comprehensive, tax-efficient giving plans in partnership with your advisors (financial, legal, estate, and tax advisors).
• Explore standard giving as well as complex and noncash gifts (i.e., cash, securities, real estate, bequests, beneficiary proceeds, and life insurance).
• Consider options to both give to charity and receive income through charitable remainder trusts and charitable gift annuities.
• Craft a giving plan you can implement—now or in the future.

Some financial advisors will bring in Charitable Solutions Consultants (CSCs) to talk with donors about their tax-efficient charitable giving options. "We come alongside these financial advisors, and we’re here not only to help them, but also to help their clients accomplish their goals,” says Thrivent Charitable CSC Josh Dluhos, who finds asking donors their ‘why’ is always the heart of the conversation. “I start by asking them what their goals are. If their kids are their primary goal, for example, I might look at one technique. If not, I’ll use different avenues to start the charitable conversation.” Recognizing charitable giving is not one-size-fits all allows for a tailored approach to each donor’s unique situation.

In addition to supporting donor conversations, we equip financial advisors with the knowledge and resources they need to confidently incorporate charitable planning into their practice.

“It’s important for advisors to include charitable giving in client conversations because it demonstrates the value of a team approach and leading with philanthropy and generosity, which in turn enhances the donor-advisor relationship.” explains Dluhos.

Through educational webinars, training opportunities, and one-on-one consultations, advisors gain insight into charitable strategies and techniques to help clients achieve both their financial and philanthropic goals.

Starting charitable conversations doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Partnering with Thrivent Charitable gives you the guidance and expertise to align your giving with your financial goals. Contact our team of charitable experts at thriventcharitable@thrivent.com or 800-365-4172 to explore your charitable giving options.

Talk with your financial advisor about how you can get your family involved in giving or email our team to learn more.

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