Giving Compass' Take:

• Fidelity Charitable offers helpful advice to couples who want to plan and execute a giving strategy.

• Even if there are disagreements about giving, the article notes that there can still be opportunities to build a stronger relationship. 

•  Read about how the next generation of philanthropists is changing, differing more and more from the previous generation. 

As every couple knows, making a life together isn’t all about valentines and roses. Two people with different DNA attempting to agree on everything from garbage duty to child-rearing strategies to household finances can produce conflict. But the next time you find yourself suspecting that you and your partner really are from different planets, take heart: research from Fidelity Charitable conducted among nearly 700 of its donors shows that, when it comes to giving, couples come together.

In fact, more than four-fifths of respondents—who were all married or living with a partner—say they frequently or always agree with their other half on household giving decisions, such as what charity to support or how much to give.

"With household finances, it often feels like you make the money, you save it and you spend it—those are the only three actions,” Elaine Martyn, vice president of Fidelity Charitable’s Private Donor Group said. “But with giving, there’s a whole dialogue around why you’re doing what you’re doing and how you got there. There is an opportunity to talk about your values and what you believe and what you share."

Have a conversation about what is most important to both of you—and formalize your shared giving priorities by creating a joint charitable mission statement. Your giving will be more focused and satisfying as a result, and you’ll be able to celebrate the shared impact together.

Read the full article about couples that give at Fidelity Charitable.