Good meetings are a critical block of effective, impactful, and not least of all, enjoyable family philanthropy. This guide explores giving families' strategies, tips, and tools used to ensure that their meetings are also gatherings that family members look forward to. Constructive templates are also provided to help you think through the key nuts and bolts of designing and running a great and enjoyable meeting. When done well, meetings are an opportunity to build shared meaning and deeper relationships within and beyond families.
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While it is essential to employ the best investment managers, accountants, attorneys, and experts to guard the private wealth, from a multi-generational perspective, it is crucial to think beyond the private wealth, and incorporate the family wealth. This shift is a holistic approach that prepares the human capital, enhances the intellectual capital, and builds the appropriate governance framework. The result will foster clearer communication among family members, stronger family cohesiveness, and well-prepared heirs who are better positioned to govern the family enterprise.
Passing down family stories can help rising generations understand and embrace their roles in the family enterprise. This is when crafting the family story becomes essential. Learn how to bring that story together with this easy-to-follow overview on creating a book that will educate, enlighten, and entertain a multi-generational audience.
An increase in the long-term capital gains tax is a possibility as the U.S. tax increases are being considered in Congress as part of a large budget reconciliation bill. With the anticipation of the bill being filed, tax and wealth planning advisors and their clients who will be impacted should carefully consider their time horizon in determining whether to trigger capital gains currently rather than deferring the tax.
Many successful families have put their shared values and goals in writing, often called a family constitution. A constitution can help build family unity and harmony, and the creation process itself provides benefits to the family. Learn the value that families can derive from creating a constitution, the work involved in creating one, and the topics to include in your family constitution.
Just as government and businesses require sound governance to do their work well, so too do families—and their philanthropy. The Family Governance Pyramid provides a model and framework for philanthropic families that is even more relevant and necessary today than when it was first introduced nearly two decades ago. This article by the National Center for Family Philanthropy provides some perspective on why, and how, families can apply this model to their family and philanthropy, for the good of all.
While insurance may not be top of mind as you go through life’s changes and challenges, it is a critical tool to help keep your family and assets safe. By minding your insurance gaps and working with a knowledgeable agent and reputable carrier in identifying your unique risks, you can assure your family has the protection it needs.
As no two families are alike, there is no one singular approach to family education—the cornerstone to a thriving, lasting legacy. The structure, topics, and educational methods all depend on the needs, wishes, and preferences of the family members. As you develop your rising generation education strategy, considerations should be made around the establishment of a solid foundation, forum and format, and taking a gradual approach.
In today’s investment environment, family offices require full investment capabilities to achieve the returns required by wealth owners. As there are many non-investment activities happening in a family office setting, the build or outsource approach to investment resourcing should include saving on both the costs and time associated with running an in-house investment company. Other key points should also be considered.
This issue brief examines the kinds of decisions that family foundations often face and sets out practical, easy-to-apply guidelines for ensuring that the foundation’s decision-making methods vary appropriately, as conditions and circumstances change.