Thought Leader Series

Social impact bonds, sometimes known as “Pay for Success” projects, are contracts with the public sector in which commitment is made to pay for improved social outcomes, which may result in public sector savings. Despite their name, social impact bonds are not bonds; they are public or private partn...

The adage “Shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations” became a well-known prophecy because it is, unfortunately, true. And it appears to be true in virtually every culture. In Ireland, the saying is, “Clogs to clogs in three generations.” In Italy, it’s, “Stable to stars to stable” in the sa...

Trillions of dollars are beginning to shift within ultra-high net worth families to a new generation of heirs, according to a recent Accenture study. As this transfer of wealth takes place, what giving trends from millennial philanthropists can we expect to see in the years to come?To help answer th...

The acronym ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance. It refers to a mode of screening investments that considers environment, social and corporate governance disciplines as criteria, seeking to achieve both competitive financial return and positive social impact.ESG is part of the socia...

As an entrepreneur or small business owner first starting out, you may have the desire to make philanthropy a core principle of your business but feel you have to put that desire on hold until you earn more money.But Vern Mangels believes you should not give in to that feeling. “You have to start wi...

When performing an analysis of a client’s unique personal risk profile, we often find that their assets relate to their special interests. Whether it is a passion for fine art, fine wine, or exotic cars, a hobby can often grow into a valuable asset. For those who have an interest in new technology, ...

You can’t have a conversation about the future of the global economy these days without the subject of US presidential politics coming up. From trade to immigration to tax reform, the policies that Donald Trump implements could drastically impact markets all over the world – and that impact is alrea...

One of the fascinating things about philanthropy is its variety. Every philanthropist’s approach is unique based on a number of variables, including resources, talent, interests, and intentions. Some philanthropists follow complex strategies, others may be laser-focused on a single charity or soluti...

When the family friend of Dustin Hoffman’s character in the 1960s film The Graduate took the young man aside to offer him career advice, he had just one word of advice for the young man: “Plastics.” If there were to be one word I’d offer leaders of family businesses today, it would be “Neuropl...

Many of today’s ultra-wealthy philanthropists are looking for smart ways to make their donation dollars work hard for causes they care about deeply.They often value additional guidance on how much to give, through which funding vehicles, to which charities, over what timeframe, and with what purpose...