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Every fine art collector who has worked to build and enrich his or her collection usually has a special work of art or piece that has significant meaning. It might even be the very object that prompted grandma to begin collecting her porcelain rabbits, energizing her desire to graduate to fine art. Or it could be a priceless work, pièce de résistance, of a lifetime of collecting that reveals a fascinating historical account when hearing the real tales behind the acquisitions that family members hold dear.

The U.S. Department of State estimates that more than 8,000 Americans die in a foreign country each year. While some of those are permanent residents and long-time expatriates, thousands more are tourists or individuals traveling for business. For families and their enterprises receiving that unexpected news, the first inclination may be panic. Having a journey management plan that addresses specific protocols to be followed in the event of death while traveling abroad can help alleviate the stress that is compounded by barriers of foreign language, law and culture.

Learning and practicing the basics of money management can have a profound impact on a young child’s life. What parents often overlook, even those who are investors themselves, is taking the education to the next stage once their children get older—say, around age 11 or 12. At that point, it may be the right time to start a conversation about investing. The lessons learned can not only develop the investor and entrepreneur in your child, but also the philanthropist.

If you are wondering how it is possible that everyone in your family is offering an excuse for missing the family meeting date, then it is time for some new ideas or approaches to turn these meetings into events that no one wants to miss. How? By planning a purposeful family event that also happens to include the family meeting. In addition, it will go a long way toward increasing a sense of purpose and engagement when it is organized around the right location, meeting format and family bonding activities.

For a number of philanthropists, philanthropy is a family affair: a means of passing on key values to the next generation as well as giving back or doing good. How are millennials in family foundations, with the weight of legacy on their shoulders, approaching philanthropy? This fascinating generational shift is explored in more detail in this new report.

Wealth amassed by affluent individuals is being channeled into family foundations, increasingly led by millennials. They sit at the crossroads between the forces driving the millennial generation and the weight of their families’ legacies. They want their financial resources to achieve the greatest possible impact. They question why all their investments weren't impact investments.

Research indicates that multigenerational involvement is the single most important factor in sustaining family wealth into the third generation and beyond. Furthermore, the families that most successfully integrate younger members into their family operations seem to share the same philosophies and core values. It’s a family enterprise mindset that prepares the rising generation to be able to step in immediately and manage the family’s financial assets, run the enterprises, and preserve the culture and legacy.

The families with the strongest governance plans are those that survive the most challenging times. They understand the importance of listening to younger generations and bringing them into the decision-making process. Other families find it more challenging to discuss wealth issues openly and to share decision making.

Many families recognize the importance of preparing future family leaders for the responsibilities of wealth through education programs. It’s a process that needs to be cultivated over many years in a thoughtful and planned manner. However, far too often the next gen education programs fail to get off the ground or maintain momentum. Family members become disinterested, disengaged, or simply don’t attend. It can happen when families make five common mistakes in developing an education plan for their rising generation.

There are many benefits to involving children in family philanthropy. One of them is the children’s realization of the positive impact their own participation has on the world (no matter how small); another is their excitement about making a difference. For the families who want to pass down the value of charitable giving to their children, there are a variety of ways to engage them on the philanthropy journey and strengthen the family bond.