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As the world’s challenges become increasingly urgent and complex, philanthropists benefit from periodic analyses of strategy to inform their vision, goals, and optimal use of available resources. In this second biennial report that analyzes responses from 150 philanthropies across 30 countries, key insights are provided for anyone who is interested in:

Whether the goal is to improve a local community or support a more far-reaching cause, charitable giving is an important goal for many investors. From donating cash to establishing a donor-advised fund or a private foundation, there are a variety of ways to support the causes that matter to you. If deciding between establishing a donor-advised fund or a private foundation, high-level guidelines and a comparison table are provided to help you choose the best vehicle for you.

While modeling your charitable nature for your children is important, studies have shown that the impact is even greater when role modeling is combined with meaningful discussions about charitable giving and its impact. Armed with this knowledge, parents can create meaningful opportunities to talk with their children and ask each other questions about giving.

To position your wealth and philanthropic goals in an optimal position for the long-term, there are 8 strategies that can help activate high-impact capital and initiate purpose-driven charitable giving.

With an array of charitable giving options, it's important to understand how each gift could affect your annual deductions. Here's a quick guide to tax deductions, out-of-pocket deductions, and required substantiation. For the individuals and families looking to go beyond the standard donation, there are a few alternate options with their own tax considerations.

Charitable giving used to predominantly exist as a transaction, but it has evolved into a philanthropic relationship rooted in long-term impact goals for all generations—from Boomers to Millennials. Whether you’re a person looking to give or an advisor to one, it’s helpful to understand generational giving motivations and processes.

This guide is designed to introduce you to the world of thoughtful, effective philanthropy. It’s a roadmap for donors—individuals, couples, families, or groups. It offers an overview of issues that philanthropists may want to consider as they create their own giving strategies. And like any good planning tool, this guide presents a series of questions with options—not a set of answers—to create not only a strategic framework, but an outline of how to operate your giving plan.

In a time of increasing social and economic challenges, this guide offers both emerging and established donors a look at important questions and issues faced. Even the most seasoned philanthropists need to pause, reflect, and ensure that their giving strategies reflect the seismic shifts around the world. No matter your issue, no matter your method—be it through public-private partnerships, impact investing, coalitions, collaboration, or more traditional philanthropy models—there are opportunities to realign your resources with what is needed in today’s environment.

Both new and experienced donors have become far more thoughtful about the time frame of their giving. And setting a use-by date for philanthropy has become a common consideration. Effective giving usually relies not just on how to decide to give, but for how long. All of which begs another question: How long should your family foundation or giving program last? This guide discusses some of the main ways to evaluate and set a time horizon for giving. Written for established and emerging philanthropists, it looks at four main options, including giving while living.

More than ever before, giving families are working to involve multiple generations in their philanthropy. This emergent trend comes with a shift that focuses the conversation of next generation engagement from a “passing the baton” mentality—where succession planning is the motivator for next gen participation—to an intergenerational focus. Knowing how to make the most of your family’s time, talent, and treasure can be an opportunity of a lifetime to create profound family ties and remarkably effective family philanthropy.