CRT: What Is a Charitable Remainder Trust and Who Manages It?

A charitable remainder trust, a legal arrangement where you give assets to a trust that pays you (or someone else) income for life, then passes the rest to a charity. Also known as a CRT, it’s a way to support causes you care about while keeping income for yourself or your family. This isn’t just for the wealthy—it’s used by regular people who want to do good without giving up their financial security.

The person or group that runs a CRT is called the trust manager, the entity responsible for investing the assets, making payments, and handling taxes. This could be a bank, a professional trustee, or even a trusted family member—but picking the wrong one can cost you money, time, or even the trust’s tax status. The trust must follow strict IRS rules to stay tax-exempt. If it fails, you could owe back taxes or lose your income stream. That’s why knowing who manages it matters as much as why you set it up.

A CRT also connects to other things you might have heard of: charitable trust, a broader category that includes CRTs and other structures designed to benefit nonprofits, and trust administrator, the day-to-day handler who files paperwork, tracks payments, and keeps records. These roles often overlap, but they’re not the same. A bank might be the trustee, while a lawyer handles the admin work. Confusing them is a common mistake.

You’ll find posts here that explain exactly how CRTs work—what happens when you put in stocks, real estate, or cash. You’ll see who qualifies, how payouts are calculated, and how taxes are handled. You’ll also learn why some people choose a CRT over direct donations, and how it compares to other giving tools like donor-advised funds. Some posts even show real examples of families using CRTs to support local charities while funding retirement.

There’s no magic here. No hidden tricks. Just clear rules, real people, and a simple idea: give something now, get something back, and leave something behind. If you’re thinking about setting one up—or just want to understand how it works—what’s below is what you need.