Seasoned, charitable giving & philanthropy financial advisors in Berkeley, CA
The right financial advisor for you depends on how you weigh location, expertise, experience, the clients they typically serve, and how they work with you.
If you're planning significant charitable donations or setting up philanthropy goals, you want an advisor who understands how to align your giving with your overall financial picture. A common mistake is treating charitable giving as a one-time event rather than an ongoing strategy that can evolve with your finances and tax situation. Seasoned advisors bring years of experience navigating complex tax rules and long-term planning.
- Tax impact awareness. Confirm they consider how your donations affect your income and property taxes, especially in California where Proposition 13 limits property tax increases.
- Giving strategy integration. Ask how they incorporate philanthropy into your broader financial plan, not just as isolated gifts.
- Charitable vehicle options. Explore their knowledge of trusts, donor-advised funds, and other tools to maximize your impact and tax benefits.
- Long-term relationship. Look for advisors who plan for your giving to adapt as your financial situation and goals change over time.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
-
Paul L
Series 63
Oakland, CA
Merrill
Paul Low's 38 years of experience and focus on charitable giving and philanthropy make him well-equipped to help clients in Berkeley, CA, integrate giving strategies into their broader financial plans. As a Senior Vice President at Merrill, a large firm, he offers access to trust and estate planning services and collaborates closely with clients' other advisors, providing a comprehensive approach that distinguishes him from others in the area.
Experience: 38 years
Avg account: $860,085
-
Katherine K
CFP®, Series 63, Series 65
Berkeley, CA
North Berkeley Wealth Management, LLC
Katherine King specializes in charitable giving and philanthropy with 29 years of experience, offering expertise in ESG investing and retirement plans for business owners. Based in Berkeley, CA, she provides comprehensive financial planning and investment management through North Berkeley Wealth Management, which manages over $700 million in assets using both passive and active strategies. Her fee structure includes a 1% annual AUM fee and hourly planning services for existing clients, distinguishing her approach among seasoned advisors.
Experience: 29 years
Avg account: $2,006,577
-
Gavin D
Series 66
Berkeley, CA
Topel & Distasi Wealth Management, LLC
Gavin Distasi in Berkeley, CA, specializes in charitable giving and philanthropy with 23 years of experience, offering flat fees up to $10,000 and hourly rates for financial planning. His firm provides comprehensive portfolio management and integrates charitable strategies with estate and tax planning, serving high-net-worth clients with discretionary model allocations from conservative to aggressive.
Experience: 23 years
Avg account: $1,349,320
-
Michael L
Series 63, Series 65
Oakland, CA
Veris Wealth Partners, LLC
Michael Lent's 22 years of experience and role at Veris Wealth Partners, which advises high-net-worth clients and foundations, equip him to integrate charitable giving into comprehensive financial plans. His firm's focus on sustainable investing and philanthropic advisory, combined with flat-fee and hourly options, distinguishes him from others by offering tailored, values-based strategies for evolving philanthropy goals.
Experience: 22 years
Avg account: $7,329,329
-
James F
CFP®
Oakland, CA
Communitas Financial Planning PBC
James Frazin brings over two decades of experience in charitable giving and philanthropy, with a CFP® certification and a flat-fee structure that ranges from $600 to $6,000. Based in nearby Oakland, he works at Communitas Financial Planning PBC, which emphasizes socially responsible investing and offers retirement plan consulting, setting him apart with a strong focus on integrating philanthropy into broader financial and institutional strategies.
Experience: 23 years
Want help finding the right advisor?
Answer a few questions to see advisors matched to you.
Advisors focused on
People also searched
Popular in Berkeley, CA
Find advisors by type
Not sure where to start?
We'll help you think it through—whether you ultimately need an advisor or not. Warmer helps you compare advisors clearly, so you can choose with confidence.
For advisor listings, we rely on sources including public filings and data provided by advisors, and we cannot guarantee that all information is current or accurate. Advisors are independent and may not have reviewed or updated this information. Please review an advisor’s Form ADV and do your own diligence before deciding whether to work with them.
Advisor matching and introductions are provided by FinanceHQ LLC (“FHQ”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Warmer and an SEC-registered investment advisor. We receive compensation from certain participating advisors for introductions or referrals. This creates a conflict of interest because we have an incentive to recommend advisors who compensate us, including those who pay us more. You pay no fee to use our matching service, and advisor fees are not increased because of a referral or introduction. We do not review the ongoing performance of advisors, manage or hold assets, guarantee performance, or provide advice about specific investments.
By using our service, you agree to our Terms of Service and Advisory Agreement, and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. Please review FHQ’s ADV Part 2A and Form CRS. Logos provided by Logo.dev
© 2026 Warmer Holdings Inc. (“Warmer”)