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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.

To make progress on challenging issues of social and environmental problems, strategic funders understand the need to address the systems that maintain and exacerbate them. Drawing on secondary research, advisory experience, and conversations from a series of convenings, this report illustrates how funders can design for and measure progress on systems change that is more effective, sustainable, and scalable—one that also adopts the lessons learned from COVID-19 and where philanthropy has a unique role.

A young girl shares a story about the “weird gift” she received on her birthday from her grandmother. It included three jars that were labeled save, spend, and share. There was also an envelope with instructions and money inside it, and a note that said happy birthday and you’re old enough to start thinking beyond spending. With a set of guidance in her hands, she learned the importance and joy of sharing her resources.

COVID-19 is exacerbating ongoing geopolitical and societal challenges, and the existential crisis of climate change looms large. In this 16th edition of the Global Risks Report, it highlights the implications of major risks, including the COVID-19 pandemic and an emerging risk landscape spanning from the digital divide to navigating global fractures to considering strategic investments to avoid catastrophic outcomes.

In this Family Philanthropy Speaks conversation, Jeff and Tricia Raikes join Nick Tedesco to discuss how they have changed practices and acknowledged privilege throughout their donor journey. Jeff shares the value of diversifying their network, which opens the doors to new grantees and opportunities for impact. Tricia describes a revelatory moment that changed her views on youth homelessness and notes the need to embrace discomfort as she grapples with her own understanding of racial inequity.

When an off-the-shelf solution doesn’t cut it, responsible investors can turn to customized separately managed accounts (SMAs) to build portfolios that align with their values, including expressing their individual ESG views. With an SMA, investors can also gain the market exposure they’re seeking through portfolio construction, active ownership, or a combination of the two.

Solving world hunger—or “food insecurity”—is really hard. The solutions are not particularly sexy, and they require a very long-term outlook. In seeking to learn more about the problem, we reached out to the ones trying to solve it.

In Part 2 of the conversation on solving world hunger through innovation and strategic investing, we welcome two more entrepreneurs. Ezinne Uzo-Okuro, CEO of Terraformers, is using her background as a NASA scientist to empower people to grow healthy food and create sustainable livelihoods. Manuela Zierau, Global Lead of H2Grow, works with communities to grow food—and well-being—in impossible places. Private Client CIO Sid Ahl and CrossBoundary’s Kirtika Challa join in to discuss investment takeaways.