Large-firm, charitable giving & philanthropy financial advisors in California
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 want to create a lasting philanthropic impact, you need an advisor who understands the nuances of giving strategies. Without this expertise, you might miss opportunities to maximize tax benefits or align your giving with your financial goals. Large-firm advisors often have access to extensive resources and specialized teams that can support complex giving plans.
- Tax impact awareness. Confirm how they navigate California's high income taxes and leverage rules like Proposition 13 to optimize your charitable deductions.
- Gift structuring expertise. Ask how they recommend structuring donations—such as outright gifts, donor-advised funds, or charitable trusts—to fit your financial situation.
- Integration with wealth planning. Ensure they consider your overall financial picture, balancing philanthropy with estate and investment strategies.
- Resource access. Large firms may offer connections to legal, tax, and philanthropic experts; ask how they coordinate these services for your benefit.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
-
Cristian G
Series 66
Rancho Mirage, CA
Edward Jones
Cristian Garcia specializes in charitable giving and philanthropy within a large-firm setting, offering expertise in retirement income strategy and estate planning to support complex giving plans in California. With Edward Jones managing over $1 trillion in assets and serving millions, he provides access to extensive resources and coordinated services, charging up to 1.35% annually, which may suit clients seeking integrated wealth and philanthropic planning.
Experience: 3 years
Avg account: $246,728
-
Bradley N
Series 63, Series 66
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Fidelity
Bradley Norton specializes in charitable giving and philanthropy within a large firm setting, offering expertise in structuring donations and integrating philanthropy with overall wealth planning. With 30 years of experience at Fidelity, he combines active portfolio management and access to extensive resources, including proprietary research and quantitative analysis, which distinguishes him from other advisors in California focused on charitable strategies.
Experience: 31 years
Avg account: $234,793
-
Brian E
Series 63, Series 65
El Segundo, CA
Cetera
Brian Emde specializes in charitable giving and philanthropy within a large firm setting, offering expertise in wealth management and tax-loss harvesting that can enhance your giving strategies in California. With 30 years of experience and a flexible fee structure including flat fees and hourly consulting, he serves high earners and those approaching retirement, providing tailored advice supported by Cetera's extensive resources and institutional framework.
Experience: 31 years
Avg account: $306,089
-
Howard S
CFP®, Series 63, Series 65
San Jose, CA
Cerity partners LLC
Howard Sussman specializes in charitable giving and philanthropy within a large firm setting, making him well-equipped to handle complex donation strategies in California. With 23 years of experience and CFP® certification, he offers flat-fee and hourly financial planning services through Cerity Partners LLC, a firm managing over $126 billion in assets, providing clients access to diversified portfolios and comprehensive wealth management solutions.
Experience: 24 years
Avg account: $4,574,620
-
David C
Series 63, Series 65
Walnut Creek, CA
Merrill
David Cereghino is well-equipped to assist with charitable giving and philanthropy in California through his 27 years of experience at Merrill, a large firm offering extensive resources and specialist collaboration. His expertise includes wealth management, concentrated stock management, and socially responsible investing, serving women professionals and business owners, with a fee of 1.10% AUM for managed strategies under $2 million, distinguishing him by combining philanthropy with comprehensive wealth and legacy planning.
Experience: 27 years
Avg account: $860,085
Want help finding the right advisor?
Answer a few questions to see advisors matched to you.
Advisors focused on
People also searched
Popular in California
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”)