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Philanthropy is often described as society’s “risk capital.” Our generosity can support causes and ideas that business and government agencies cannot or will not. We can use our resources to inspire new ideas, challenge existing thinking, or continue supporting an organization when others won’t. However, the idea of risk in ...

Just as an individual goes through life cycles, so does a charity. From the start-up phase to adopting a strategic vision to looking at ways to grow the charity, there are many steps to consider at each important phase of the charity’s lifetime. By bringing discipline and focus to your family philanthropy and going beyond just writing checks,...

Recently the IRS released proposed regulations under Chapter 14 of the Internal Revenue Code that would severely limit—if not eliminate—the application of valuation discounts, including lack of marketability and minority discounts, to interests in closely held family entities for gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer tax purpos...

For many individuals and families of wealth, there comes a time when they decide to engage in philanthropy in a larger, perhaps more strategic manner. This often occurs as their relationship with wealth matures, and they realize they have an opportunity (or perhaps feel an obligation) to go beyond writing checks to worthy organizations and move tow...

Families pursue impact investing for a variety of reasons, including as a way to engage younger family members in the broader philanthropic and investment activities of a family to foster continuity in the stewardship of assets across generations. Before incorporating impact investments into their portfolios, families should define the overall cont...

Travis Roy’s story is well known—in 1995, the rising college hockey star suffered an on-ice injury that left him paralyzed from the neck down after only 11 seconds of his first Boston University game. That tragic accident ended Travis’ hockey career, but it marked the beginning of his decades-long commitment to helping others thro...

The topic of wealth transfer to the next generation has been well documented. Accenture estimated that $30 trillion of financial and nonfinancial assets are ready to shift from baby boomers to their children in North America alone. At the same time, there is a large and growing appetite for using wealth to solve social challenges and help those in ...

Donors often ask how they can maximize their giving dollars when seeking to fulfill their charitable giving missions. A tax effective way is to donate appreciated securities to a donor advised fund, rather than selling the securities and donating the cash proceeds. So how does it work?

Strategic philanthropy is similar to intentional asset allocation in that it requires as much of the giver’s intellect as it does the bank account. A careful and disciplined approach to philanthropic giving combines purpose, practicality, and passion. In planning for charitable giving, families can review their choices with a planning matrix ...

We often think of Thanksgiving and Giving Tuesday as ushering in the year-end charitable giving season. Year end is not only a time for gratitude, as families gather for the holidays, but also a time to start organizing financially for the close of the calendar year. But year-end giving does not need to be short-term giving. So even as you strive t...

Enterprising families are showing an increased interest in participating in direct investments around the globe. Some families have turned to private equity out of frustration with the volatility in the public markets and the unexpected correlations between asset classes that occurred during the 2008-2010 timeframe. The factors that impact their pr...

Charities face a particular challenge in building and maintaining a balanced portfolio of investments that will provide a secure return. In its 12th Compendium of Investment for Charities, Sarasin & Partners provides assistance by exploring investment options and offering suggestions for how to plan a charity investment policy, put asset allocation...

Based on a global survey of high-net worth individuals, including almost 300 family business owners, the eighth instalment of Barclays Wealth Insights provides fresh analysis into the state of family businesses around the world today. The report will assess the current situation and prospects of family businesses, and examine in detail their un...

A health and education exclusion trust may offer a way to preserve assets for younger family members and avoid harsh generation-skipping taxes, while still contributing to charity. In this article, Mela Garber of Anchin, Block and Anchin explains how a HEET can be a useful and effective estate planning tool that benefits family and a designated cha...

Shifting to strategic philanthropy often comes out of personal experience and the desire to make a difference. But how do individuals go about setting up and running a change-targeted foundation? Springbanc Philanthropy offers advice for making the transition, gives suggestions for strategy and provides a tax filing calendar for foundations.