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A business-owning family can create a secure foundation for effective multi-generational ownership and control by transferring shares of a family business in trust during the controlling owner's lifetime, and through careful drafting of trust provisions, choice of governing law, selection of a capable trustee and implementation of effective family ...

A business transition plan should provide a good fit: for the business, for family members and for the owner. A transition road map also should provide clear instructions in the event of the owner's incapacitation or death – a sound reason to establish a plan sooner rather than later.

Family dynamics often play a critical role in the long-term success of family businesses, and women's relational and interpersonal skills tend to make them well-equipped to manage these issues. Effective leadership within the family business is, now more than ever, dependent on the inherent relational skills that a woman can bring to the busine...

For many entrepreneurs, the experience of selling their business may involve a loss of identity and purpose, despite the financial security that usually accompanies the sale. This paper addresses the personal challenges entrepreneurs face during the transition as well as issues created by a significant change in the nature of their wealth, from ill...

Parents who are concerned about family harmony after their deaths are wise to address the issues of estate equalization as a key element of their estate and business planning. Most of the problems that would create disharmony among their children can be handled with careful thought and with wills, trusts and business agreements that clearly dictate...

Like cost-benefit analysis in the for-profit world, social return on investment provides guidelines that can help charitable organizations to think more strategically about outcomes and show accountability. But if SROI is to be a successful tool, analysis indicates its principles need to be applied with greater rigor.

Becoming thoughtful and intentional about altruism and the passion to make a difference is the difference between having good intentions and being intentional about our values and commitments to others. This newsletter offers tips on how to give better, helps 'tween philanthropists ask seven critical questions about giving, and provides a visual wa...

Philanthropy appears set to increase among the wealthy, according to a survey of millionaires in 20 countries. The United States, Ireland, South Africa and India lead in donations of both money and time.

The authors present highlights from a series of seminars in which more than 80 trustees from charities of all kinds debated how they could make their charities more effective and shared ideas about improving trusteeship.

Closing the gender gap at the top of corporations fosters innovation, creates a more balanced work environment and positively affects the bottom line. Yet, achieving gender balance requires new thinking, innovative approaches and courage.

Families should consider an array of factors as part of their charitable planning, such as their legacy, the particular assets, market conditions, investment objectives, interest rates and cash flow needs, as well as the mission of the charitable organizations.

Putting a financial value on social outcomes can help funders determine whether an organization is worth supporting, understand the impact that grantees are having and identify where organizations need help.

In the post-Madoff era, the foundation and non-profit sector continues to struggle with how to invest philanthropic assets most appropriately and how to ensure that boards and staff are managing investments prudently.

Gifting may be the place to start in planning a long-term estate planning strategy, according to this paper from Wells Fargo. While gifting can be useful in transferring tax savings, it also can provide a real-time snapshot of the estate plan by allowing the giver to see how beneficiaries accept and respond to the gifts and then to change the estat...

Although wealthy philanthropists vary in their interests, backgrounds and styles of giving, some patterns emerge. Researchers for Barclays Wealth create profiles for six types of givers – privileged youth, eco givers, altruistic entrepreneurs, reactive donors, cultural inheritors and professional philanthropists – and identify each group's source o...