Resource Search

Recent scholarly research has validated concerns about the comprehensive absorption of costs associated with the number of trade spats in which the United States is now engaged. That research implies that American firms and households are paying $3 billion-per-month increase in costs caused by trade policy. In this publication of The Real Economy, a closer exploration of key issues include the impact of trade policy, agriculture sector risks, agritech’s benefits, and how health care systems are using education acquisitions to offset labor shortages.

There has been much discussion regarding the Qualified Opportunity Zone program established via the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2017 because of potential tax advantages. This program aims to incent long-term private sector investment in low-income communities nationwide while allowing investors to potentially defer and partially reduce capital gains tax by investing capital gain amounts (or a portion) in Qualified Opportunity Zone (“QOZ”) through a Qualified Opportunity Zone Fund.

Philanthropy is changing and evolving more quickly than ever, with new societal challenges, new players, and new strategies. In this time of change, questions of how family foundations can optimize their effectiveness are increasingly urgent. This paper by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors provides an overview of the Theory of the Foundation, some of its benefits, and a roadmap that enables foundations to address urgent questions, explore fundamental beliefs or implicit assumptions about their work, public benefit, and action.

As healthcare acuity continues to rise among assisted living and independent living residents, savvy providers are finding ways to expand their reach across the care continuum. While this often means branching out into services such as in-home care and insurance products, increasingly providers are opting to stick to the business of service-enhanced real estate. The difference is a new focus on enticing the younger segment of older adults—with an active adult strategy.

The IRS released its second set of proposed regulations under Internal Revenue Code, Section 1400Z-2, Special rules for capital gains invested in opportunity zones. While some questions remain unanswered, it provided much needed guidance for investors, fund managers, developers, and sponsors pertaining to qualified opportunity zone business property, the treatment of tangible leased property, Section 1231 gain, the 90-percent asset test, and more. The guidance is generally taxpayer-friendly and provides the flexibility that businesses and investors were seeking.

Contrary to the benefit that investors have historically achieved with corporate private equity investments, private real estate funds have generally not succeeded in delivering a return premium. Yet there remains significant momentum in institutional capital targeting private equity real estate, especially value-add and opportunistic strategies. History shows that REITs have been an attractive way to make an allocation to real estate, with relatively lower-risk business models that have produced superior returns to the average private fund over full market cycles.

With impact investing, the viability and projected growth of the creative economy is not easily seen. But when using the “creativity lens” that looks at creative activity beyond the limits of art and culture, a different story emerges. It can be seen that impact investing in the creative economy has been hiding in plain sight. This study by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors identifies 107 funds that have been investing in the creative economy and shows the tremendous potential there for impact investors.

Recent statutory changes in Tennessee law has authorized the separation of the traditional trustee roles by allowing for the appointment of a Trust Advisor (also referred to as a Trust Protector) who can have the authority to “direct” an exercise of a power held by the Trustee, including direction concerning investment and distribution decisions. In addition to several changes to the law, it added a new Part 13 that permits the creation of Special Purpose Entities to serve as Trust Advisors for trusts for which a Tennessee corporate fiduciary is serving as Trustee.

A Domestic Asset Protection Trust (DAPT) provides an opportunity to protect your assets from the claims of third-party creditors, which makes it a powerful tool to enhance your estate plan. Because DAPTs require giving up some control over your assets, they are not right for everyone. But they can provide protection for individuals in careers with high risk exposure or those looking for a prenuptial agreement alternative.

Companies are starting to take notice of the increasing numbers of pet owners prepared to invest in their pets' health. Driving much of this growth is a secular shift referred to as the "humanization of pets," where pets are viewed as members of their pet owners' families. The animal health industry is structurally more attractive than the human health industry due to superior growth, less regulation, less costly research and development projects, and lack of third-party payers.