Blog
Can You Adapt?
I believe that the challenge offered by 2020 has been the ability to adapt to a severely changing environment. I certainly don’t expect the world to stand still, but the events related to the pandemic was on few radar screens. I do recall that Bill Gates mentioned a...
Year End Giving
It is the time of year that our mailboxes and email accounts receive a large number of requests from charities. Part of the motivation, no doubt, is that the clock is ticking with respect to current year tax deductions. Also, many charities receive the bulk of their...
What Good is Endowment?
I recently had a Zoom call with a client couple. He is a lawyer and she is the local head of a national non-profit. Our client calls typically start by out asking about health, the family, and career highlights. In this Covid era environment, updates in these areas...
It’s Not That Complicated
Russell James, the well-known Texas Tech professor, is fond of saying that gift planning can do two things, lower taxes and trade a gift for income. Of course, there are many ways to accomplish this goal, but basically, gift planning should appeal to those individuals...
May You Live In Interesting Times
Known somewhat erroneously as the Chamberlain Curse, this expression seems to be part of our collective current experience. These are interesting times indeed. I sense that current events have resulted a feeling of a loss of control on many fronts. The current...
Wealth In Families
A few decades ago, I met Charles W. Collier. He was the Senior Philanthropic Advisor at Harvard University and somewhat of legend in his own time. He had written a book entitled, Wealth in Families, which is an effective manual on the subject of helping families deal...
Let’s Get On With It
The current politically charged environment offers plenty of opportunity to become increasing concerned about the future. Martin Luther once said, “Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.” I feel that this quote...
A Timely Resource
Recent events have many development professionals scratching their heads with regard to asking for needed funds. With all the media attention being given to the reduced economic activity and diminished wealth, not to mention an unprecedented health crises, it’s no...
A Current Opportunity
The current economic environment, although quite different in many respects, is somewhat reminiscent of the 2008 financial crises. Back then, financial markets responded by adjusting downward in value to reflect the reality of the time. I was meeting with a client of...
Thoughts on Jack Welch
Former GE CEO Jack Welch passed away this week. He once said, “Only satisfied customers can give people job security. Not companies.” I think a parallel can be applied to the philanthropic community. Charities are financially secure when they are supported by their...