In 2015, the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and established a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Let’s put these new goals into a good news/bad news context. Between 2000 and 2015, the world made enormous progress on some of its most pressing problems. For example: The global mortality rate for… Read more »
Category: Foundations
Involve kids early in family philanthropy and give them input into giving
Many of us adults give considerable thought to how we will pass along our money to the rising generations in our families when we die. Far fewer of us also consider how we will pass along our “value assets” – our family’s unique approach to community, giving back and helping others, while we’re living. The… Read more »
New study outlines unprecedented financial risk to many nonprofits
Across the United States, more than 1.5 million nonprofit organizations engage in remarkable work to transform lives, communities and the planet. Unfortunately, these organizations currently face a wide range of growing pressures. Consider these facts: In 2013, nonprofit organizations employed more than 10.6 percent of the workforce (14.4 million). More individuals are employed by nonprofits… Read more »
Six trends to affect philanthropic landscape in 2018
When it comes to the world of philanthropy, 2018 promises to be transformational. Pessimists are concerned about the impact of new federal tax laws, the increase in income inequality, and the growing need for critical social services. Optimists see more reason for hope, believing that we have entered the “golden age of giving.” Watch for… Read more »
Next-generation donors will revolutionize philanthropy
We are currently engaged in the largest wealth transfer in history. Over 50 years, between 2007 and 2061, an estimated $59 trillion will pass from older to younger generations. In addition, many wealthy millennials, like Mark Zuckerberg and his peers, are generating their own substantial wealth. It is expected that up to half of this… Read more »
This Thanksgiving, carve more than the turkey
Soon, many of us will gather around the Thanksgiving table with family and friends — to indulge in an abundance of delicious traditional foods and give thanks for abundant blessings and freedoms. The upcoming winter holidays are a wonderful and highly anticipated time to connect with loved ones and indulge in a certain amount of… Read more »
Thinking of giving to an international charity? New IRS regs clarify requirements
Around the globe, many remarkable organizations work to help people at the very bottom of the economic, justice and environmental pyramids. Each year, U.S. donors contribute billions of dollars to advance causes in other parts of the world – especially when these people and causes appear in the headlines. Philanthropist Warren Buffett sums it up… Read more »
Set a new table, create a “safe zone” for effective family philanthropy
Philanthropic strategists often work closely with families to help them establish, refine or refocus mutigenerational family foundations and donor-advised funds. Some of these families enjoy long histories of open communication across the generations – about money, values and charity. Many others, however, find these topics extremely difficult to broach. Multigenerational family philanthropy creates a unique… Read more »
Strategic philanthropy: Seven lessons in seven years
Seven years ago, I began working closely with families, businesses and foundations to help them achieve greater impact for themselves and their communities through philanthropy. Over that time, much has changed and I’ve gained practical experience and learned valuable lessons within this very special niche. The field of strategic philanthropy is more sophisticated and complex… Read more »
Women’s voices ring clear in world of philanthropy
As women in the Baby Boomer generation begin to retire, women in the Gen X and millennial generations are assuming well-deserved and hard-earned leadership positions in the business, government and nonprofit sectors. This transition is impacting philanthropy in significant ways. Baby Boomers were born between 1946 and 1964, and range in age from 71 to… Read more »