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.
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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.
Through the evolution of the family journey, it’s clear that family structures have become more complex and estate planning needs to shift to a new model that focuses on multiple aspects of wealth.
Among its many provisions, the American Rescue Plan COVID relief addresses paid sick and family leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and makes temporary but significant changes to COBRA coverage. A short (and high-level) summary of the changes are provided to show the effect on covered employers and employees.
Even when there is a financial gift to sufficiently endow an art collection today, there is no certainty that the endowment will be able to fund the charity indefinitely into the future. When there is no charity willing to preserve the collection, the artist or collector should consider using a private foundation. Especially now as the future of museums is moving away from the brick-and-mortar and toward a virtual institution.
Haunted by double-digit inflation of the past, some fear the U.S. economy is poised for runaway inflation. Some above-trend inflation is to be expected as the economy begins to open up more broadly. It can be argued that a modest jump in inflation should be viewed as a positive sign, indicating the economy’s return to normal. Long-term price pressures leading to double-digit inflation are possible but not likely, given the slack that currently exists in the economy.
Anxieties brought on by periods of turmoil can cause individuals to forsake rational thinking and act impulsively, usually to their own detriment. This phenomenon often manifests itself in equity markets. Outside of the modicum of intangible psychological comfort, sales of risky assets motivated by fear and panic provide investors no value, and can ultimately have disastrous impacts on the long-term returns of an investment portfolio.
Prizes have long been used to recognize achievement and advance innovation and effective solutions. In recent years, prize philanthropy, the use of monetary prizes to recognize achievements or drive developments that benefit society has become more popular among a wider segment of donors. This guide will help philanthropists decide whether and how to use prize philanthropy to achieve their goals.
The economy is still aimlessly lurching from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and those fits may spill over into tax-filing season. It’s likely that a disproportionate number of filers will have some income and capital gains they weren’t expecting as the result of mutual fund distributions last year. Through an effective tax-managed investment strategy, even a tumultuous year like 2020 can produce benefits. If the investor structures realized losses to manage tax burden, even a difficult year can help you meet your investment goals.