Independent, charitable giving & philanthropy financial advisors in Michigan
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 to make significant charitable donations or set up philanthropy goals, you need 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.
- Tax impact awareness. Confirm how they balance your giving goals with tax benefits, including how pension income might affect your deductions.
- Gift timing strategy. Ask how they recommend scheduling donations to maximize both impact and tax efficiency over multiple years.
- Philanthropic vehicle options. Explore whether they discuss different giving methods, like donor-advised funds or charitable trusts, and which fit your situation best.
- Independent advice. Since these advisors operate independently, check how they tailor recommendations without pressure to promote specific financial products.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
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Thaddeus P
CFP®, Series 63, Series 65
Grand Rapids, MI
Advance Wealth Management Service, LLC
Thaddeus Phelps specializes in charitable giving and philanthropy, supported by 28 years of industry experience and CFP® certification, making him well-equipped to integrate philanthropy with overall financial planning. Based in Grand Rapids, MI, he offers flat-fee and hourly pricing, serves high-net-worth clients, and employs a tailored investment approach including risk management strategies, distinguishing him from other independent advisors in Michigan.
Experience: 29 years
Avg account: $463,417
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Nicholas D
CFP®, Series 65, Series 63
Farmington Hills, MI
Center for Financial Planning Inc
Nicholas Defenthaler specializes in charitable giving and philanthropy, offering tailored strategies that integrate with your overall financial plan, including tax impact awareness and gift timing. Based in Southfield, MI, he is a CFP®-certified independent advisor with 12 years of experience, providing flat-fee financial planning through the Center for Financial Planning Inc, which serves high-asset clients with diversified investment approaches.
Experience: 13 years
Avg account: $1,314,674
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Daniel S
Series 63, Series 65
Bingham Farms, MI
Octo Capital, LLC
Daniel Shub specializes in charitable giving and philanthropy, offering expertise in tax-loss harvesting and retirement income strategy, which supports effective long-term giving plans. Operating independently with a flat-fee structure, he serves high-net-worth clients in Michigan through Octo Capital, which employs a Modern Portfolio Theory-based investment approach and provides comprehensive financial planning and portfolio management services.
Experience: 12 years
Avg account: $1,220,791
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Preston K
CFP®
Portage, MI
Zhang Financial
Preston Koslakiewicz specializes in charitable giving and philanthropy, offering independent advice tailored to high-net-worth clients in Michigan. His firm, Zhang Financial, manages $7.2 billion for over 2,100 clients and provides a range of services including pension consulting and financial planning with flat-fee and hourly options, distinguishing him from advisors with narrower fee structures or less diverse client services.
Experience: 1 year
Avg account: $2,457,651
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Maria K
CFA®, Series 66
Grand Rapids, MI
NPF Investment Advisors
Maria Kuiper specializes in charitable giving and philanthropy, making her well-suited to help clients in Michigan align their donations with their overall financial goals. As an independent advisor at NPF Investment Advisors, she offers fee-only services with a 0.90% AUM fee and hourly planning rates, focusing on long-term holdings and customized portfolio management for high-net-worth individuals.
Experience: 6 years
Avg account: $2,530,513
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