A partner at ShuffieldLowman, Greg Meier describes estate planning as one of the most “important and personal” areas of legal practice. It is also one of the most revealing, because it often moves from conversations about tangible assets to questions about life’s meaning. What am I really passing on to the next generation? That same lens shapes how he approaches philanthropy. Greg brings that perspective to Central Florida Foundation in two ways: as a professional advisor and as a fundholder.
The Value of Asking the Charitable Question
Since 2023, Greg Meier has served on CFF’s Professional Advisory Council, a group of local advisors united by a shared commitment to community impact. A Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®), Greg believes charitable planning should be part of the natural rhythm of client conversations.
However, law school does not usually cover philanthropy, so he admits that it’s often an area attorneys ignore, worrying that it will complicate already complicated client scenarios.
“There is a misconception that philanthropy adds complexity,” shared Greg, “but educating yourself, getting to know your community foundation, these are things that show you that charitable giving can actually solve a problem rather than complicate it.”
His advice for younger attorneys: ask the charitable question.
Not every client will be ready for it. Not every conversation will lead to a plan. But the value, he suggests, is in the asking itself. With a simple question, you are creating space for people to reflect on something they might not have considered before.
Earlier in his career, Greg saw that idea modeled by the late Charlie Shuffield, a respected attorney and quiet charitable giver who served as an example of giving with the “T’s”—treasure, time, talent, and testimonial. Shuffield’s influence was less instruction than example, but it left a lasting imprint: values are often modeled, not taught.
“Philanthropy is rarely a solo sport,” he adds, which makes it easier for attorneys looking to begin incorporating charitable giving into client conversations. Attorneys, CPAs, financial advisors, and philanthropic partners like CFF often come together around a single family’s goals.
“I’ve emailed CFF in the past with a quick charitable question, and they got back to me quickly with an answer,” he shared. Estate planning, charitable giving, family decisions: none of it happens in isolation. Working with other professionals is an essential piece of effective charitable decision making. Greg sees that same collaborative spirit reflected in the Professional Advisory Council, where advisors exchange ideas freely, without competition or agenda.
Those conversations, he says, are among the most meaningful parts of his involvement.
“You look at your calendar and see a meeting downtown and think, ‘Maybe I could skip it,'” Greg says with a laugh. “But I always leave the CFF Professional Advisory Council meetings feeling renewed and glad I made the time.”
From Advisor to Fundholder: A Personal Connection to CFF
Greg’s relationship with CFF eventually became personal when he opened his own donor advised fund. He wanted to understand the experience from the inside. What he found was a level of responsiveness he now shares with clients.
“I can pick up the phone and someone picks up,” he says. “I can send an email and someone replies.”
He describes it as concierge-level service, and that firsthand experience has made conversations with clients more grounded and more confident.
Borrowing a term from his faith, Greg describes this as a form of “witnessing”—not just explaining something, but having lived it.
Faith also informs his own giving. His philanthropic interests include Catholic education and a ministry through his church in Haiti focused on helping residents establish microbusinesses. The work reflects his belief in “sustainable philanthropy,” which is the idea that giving should create something capable of continuing after the initial support ends.
His passion for creating long-lasting solutions that are beneficial for the individual and future generations is always top of mind, whether it's his client or a cause he supports.
Creating Something That Endures
An estate plan may seem like inheritance, dollars, a transaction. Philanthropy might get boiled down to a tax write-off and a one-time gift to a nonprofit. But people like Greg know it’s deeper than that.
What endures are your values and your hopes for the future. A good estate plan and thoughtful philanthropy can be the tools that help you realize both.
