An initial public offering (IPO) is often the culmination of years of hard work, vision, and perseverance. When a private company begins trading publicly, it can unlock new opportunities for the founders, employees, and investors who helped build it. As people begin thinking about what comes next, many find themselves asking an important question: How can I use this moment of success to make a difference? Charitable giving is increasingly becoming part of that conversation. With thoughtful planning, an IPO can become more than a financial milestone. It can be an opportunity to support the causes you care about, create a lasting charitable legacy, and turn your success into meaningful impact. If philanthropy is part of your plans, here are a few considerations to keep in mind.
Think beyond cash
When deciding to make a charitable gift, cash is often the first option that comes to mind. But when it comes to an IPO, your company shares may be one of your most valuable assets and one of the most impactful ways to give. Depending on your circumstances, donating shares directly can offer advantages over selling shares first and then donating the proceeds. While every donor’s situation is different, it’s worth exploring the possibilities before making any decisions. The important thing is to remember that charitable giving doesn’t have to be limited to cash. Understanding all your options can help you create the greatest impact for the causes you support.
Start the conversation early
One of the biggest opportunities surrounding an IPO is the chance to plan ahead. As a company moves closer to going public, there are important decisions to make about finances, investments, and long-term goals. Bringing philanthropy into those conversations early can help ensure that giving is part of the process rather than an afterthought. You don’t need to have every detail figured out. In fact, simply starting the conversation can help you better understand your options and identify opportunities that may not be available later. Whether you’re working with financial professionals, tax advisers, or philanthropic partners, early planning provides greater flexibility and peace of mind.
Understand your shares
Not all company shares are the same. Depending on how and when you receive them, there may be restrictions, vesting schedules, lock-up periods, or other factors that affect what you can do with your holdings. Some shares can be transferred more easily than others, and timing plays an important role. You don’t need to become an expert in equity compensation to be a thoughtful donor. However, having a basic understanding of your shares can help you ask the right questions and avoid surprises. A little knowledge upfront can go a long way toward making the giving process smoother when the time comes.
Create room for thoughtful giving
An IPO can bring excitement, opportunity, and plenty of competing priorities. You may know you want to give back, but still need to decide which causes to support, how much to give, or what kind of impact you hope to have. That’s completely normal. For many donors, a donor advised fund can provide valuable flexibility. It allows you to make a charitable contribution and then recommend grants to nonprofit organizations over time. This approach can help reduce the pressure to make every philanthropic decision at once, giving you the freedom to be thoughtful and intentional about your charitable journey.
Take a global view
Today’s donors are increasingly global. The causes you care about may extend well beyond your hometown, and your personal or professional life may span multiple countries. If your giving has an international component, it’s worth considering those factors early in the planning process. Cross-border philanthropy can involve additional complexities, but it also creates meaningful opportunities to support communities around the world. For donors with ties to both the United States and the United Kingdom, solutions like the CAF American Donor Fund can help facilitate charitable giving across borders while simplifying the process.
More than a financial milestone
An IPO is a defining moment in a company’s story. It can also be a defining moment in your own philanthropic journey. Whether you’re passionate about education, healthcare, local community organizations, or global causes, this milestone offers an opportunity to translate success into impact. The most meaningful giving plans often begin with a simple question: What do I want this success to make possible? By exploring your options early and approaching philanthropy with intention, you can help ensure that the value created through an IPO extends far beyond the market, creating positive change for the causes and communities that matter most to you.
CAF America works with donors navigating complex giving situations, including gifts of appreciated assets and cross-border philanthropy.
Looking for a deeper dive into the tax, timing, and structuring considerations involved in gifting shares around an IPO? Read CAF’s comprehensive guide to gifting shares around an IPO for a more detailed overview.
About the Author
Joe Crome, CAP®
Head of Business Development and CAF American Donor Fund
Joe has two roles at CAF. As Head of the CAF American Donor Fund, he overseas the market leading Donor Advised Fund for dual US/UK taxpayers, managing over £130 million in charitable donations annually, working alongside some of the worlds leading philanthropists to support their giving.
As Head of Business Development, he is responsible for leading the growth of CAF’s giving and impact services, working closely with private client advisers to raise the profile and understanding of philanthropy to ensure their clients are better supported. Joe works with wealth managers, family offices and professional advisers to provide world-class philanthropy services to clients and their families.
In 2026, Joe was awarded Philanthropy Advisor of the Year at the Citywealth Magic Circle Awards. He also holds the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) designation – the first adviser working in the UK to do so – and also holds the ICA Advanced International Anti money laundering certificate.
His expertise includes charitable grant-making regulations in the UK and US, donating complex assets, philanthropy advice for individuals and families, and anti-money laundering and related due diligence pertaining to charitable donations.
Joe is a Trustee of Rainforest Trust UK, and has dedicated his entire career to the charitable sector, working in fundraising, philanthropy, grant-making and for a number of years led charities which directly supported young people.
