What is a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP)?

For many investors, giving back is about more than writing a check, it’s about making a meaningful, lasting impact while staying aligned with long-term financial goals. That’s where a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) comes in. These professionals specialize in helping individuals and families turn charitable intentions into strategic plans that can enhance tax efficiency, support causes they care about and build a lasting legacy.

You can work with your own financial advisor to help with your philanthropy efforts or most other things within your overall financial picture.

What Is a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP)?

A chartered advisor in philanthropy is a trained expert in philanthropic giving. An advisor who has this designation works with clients to help them give in ways that fit their larger financial or estate plan. For example, you might work with a CAP alongside an estate planning attorney, an investment advisor and/or an accountant as you shape your plan.

Chartered advisors in philanthropy can also work with organizations or legal entities to help coordinate fundraising or manage planned giving efforts. For example, a CAP^® might work with a trust to help create an endowment or scholarship fund. Whether working with individuals or organizations, the CAP’s overall purpose is the same: to help their clients create the legacy of giving and stewardship that they’ve envisioned.

Someone who gets a chartered advisor in philanthropy designation may have other professional designations as well. For example, a CAP also may be a certified public accountant (CPA), chartered financial consultant (ChFC), or certified financial planner™ (CFP®).

How to Become a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy

The chartered advisor in philanthropy designation is administered by The American College of Financial Services. To earn the designation, applicants must:

Complete the required coursework.
Meet minimum experience requirements.
Follow ethical guidelines.
Agree to The American College of Financial Services Code of Ethics and Procedures.
Pay the associated fees.

To meet the experience requirements, one of the following must be true for three of the five years prior to applying for the designation:

The advisor offered wealth and estate planning, financial planning, charitable planning, charitable giving, planned giving, nonprofit or foundation management or services, investment management of charitable assets or accounting services to individuals or charities; OR
The advisor was employed in the nonprofit sector in a role related to nonprofit management, development, planned giving or fundraising.

The coursework consists of three classes covering gift planning for families, gift planning for nonprofits and charitable giving strategies. This curriculum is designed to be self-study and students learn via recorded lectures online. The courses are the equivalent of three semester hours each, for a total of nine semester hours.

Each course requires the completion of a two-hour exam, which is administered at a local exam center. Courses are graduate-level and can earn credit toward a Master of Science in Financial Services degree as well as the chartered advisor in philanthropy designation. Students can ask questions online and get answers from The American College of Financial Services faculty members. The College requires the designation to be completed within five years of completing the relevant coursework.

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CAP Costs

As of 2019, the tuition rate is $1,850 per course or $3,800 for students who pay for all three at the same time. Students who work for a nonprofit pay only $1,300 per course or $3,000 for all three. This fee covers all the study materials needed to complete the course, the online learning modules, the final exam and shipping fees. Students who need to retake or reschedule final exams for any courses also pay a $125 each time.

Once a CAP^® designation is earned, advisors must recertify regularly and complete continuing education (CE) requirements. As of 2019, the CE requirement is 30 hours of continuing education every two years. Meanwhile, annual recertification is mandatory. As a result, there’s a $125 fee to get recertified each year.

CAP vs. Other Professional Designations

CAP

A chartered advisor in philanthropy focuses on different strategies than a certified financial planner or investment advisor. With a CAP, the main intent is to help you develop a plan for philanthropic giving, based on your individual financial situation and goals. When helping you create that plan, your advisor might ask:

What kind of legacy would you like to leave for your children?
What kind of impact would you like to make on the world?
How do you measure success?
What causes are you most passionate about?
How would you like to leave your mark on the world as it is and what would that look like for future generations?
Does your current financial or estate plan reflect your vision for charitable giving and making a difference?

When working with a certified financial planner or an accountant, the focus may be completely different. A CPA, for instance, can guide you on tax planning strategies. Meanwhile, a CFP may work with you to guide your investment strategy as you build a portfolio for retirement.

When Should Someone Work With a CAP?

You may benefit from working with a CAP advisor when you’re preparing to make a substantial donation. Larger gifts often come with complex tax implications and multiple giving options, such as donor-advised funds or charitable trusts. A CAP advisor can help structure your contribution in a way that maximizes both impact and tax efficiency.

Major life events like selling a business, receiving an inheritance or exercising stock options can create new opportunities for charitable giving. During these moments, a CAP advisor can help you evaluate how philanthropy fits into your broader financial picture. Strategic planning at this stage can reduce tax liability while supporting causes that matter to you.

If you want to move beyond one-time donations and develop a structured philanthropic plan, a CAP advisor can provide valuable guidance. They can help you define your goals, select appropriate giving vehicles and create a sustainable approach over time. This is especially useful for individuals or families interested in establishing a legacy of giving.

How to Find a CAP Advisor

One of the most reliable ways to find a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) is through professional directories maintained by organizations that issue or support the designation. These directories allow you to search by location and specialty, helping you identify advisors who have been formally trained in philanthropic planning. This approach ensures you are starting with candidates who meet recognized educational and ethical standards.

If you already work with a financial advisor, accountant or estate planning attorney, they can be a valuable resource in your search. Many professionals collaborate with CAP advisors or may hold the designation themselves. Leveraging your existing network can save time and help you find someone who integrates well with your broader financial plan.

Not all CAP advisors have the same focus, so it’s important to assess their experience with your specific philanthropic goals. Some may specialize in high-net-worth giving strategies, while others focus on community-based philanthropy or family foundations. Asking about past client work and areas of expertise can help you determine whether the advisor is a good fit.

The best CAP advisors take a comprehensive view of your financial life, integrating charitable giving with tax planning, estate strategies and wealth management. This holistic approach ensures that your philanthropic goals are sustainable and aligned with your overall financial well-being. Choosing an advisor who can connect these elements can enhance both your impact and your financial outcomes.

Bottom Line

CAP
A Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy is a specialized professional who helps individuals and families incorporate charitable giving into a broader financial and estate plan. By combining expertise in tax strategy, wealth management and philanthropic goals, a CAP advisor can help maximize both your financial efficiency and your charitable impact.

Financial Planning Tips

If you want to make philanthropy part of your estate, consider consulting a financial advisor. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
When considering philanthropic giving, research the different ways you have to give. For example, you might establish a trust fund for the benefit of an individual or charitable organization. Or you could create an endowment or nonprofit foundation of your own. Your advisor can help you determine which one is most appropriate for your giving goals.