86% of Wealthy Adults Say Giving Is Important

Title: 2015 U.S. Trust Insights on Wealth and Worth Survey

Organization: U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management

Summary: The report was based on a nationwide survey of 640 high-net-worth adults with at least $3 million in investable assets. It identified what wealthy Americans consider to be the most important elements of a well-lived life.

While respondents ranked health, family, and financial security as the most essential factors, 86 percent said giving back to society is an important part of their lives.

Among the findings:

• Almost one in five affluent business owners said his or her company seeks solutions to environmental or societal issues.
• Nearly all, or 95 percent, said they give through traditional forms of philanthropy, such cash donations (78 percent) and volunteering (66 percent%).
• One in three either owns or is interested in owning social-impact assets, but only 11 percent are discussing social-impact investing with a wealth adviser, while 18 percent are seeking advice on strategic philanthropy.
• Thirty-one percent of women are interested in social-impact investments, compared with 16 percent of men. However, 10 percent of men said they own such investments, compared with 9 percent of women.