The November 2016 Chronicle of Philanthropy reported on a recent study conducted by Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. That study showed that wealthy donors are planning to increase their giving at least through 2018. Wealthy donors were defined as those with income of $200,000 or assets of $1 million. Additionally, the study noted that the wealthy give to …
Donor advised funds have come a long way since the first appearing in the early 1900s. The New York Community Trust claimed to be one of the first in 1931. For the longest time, local community foundations tended to have the corner on the market on providing donor advised funds. Yet from 2008 to 2013, there was a whopping 186% …
Imagine if you were offered the biggest raise of your life, the corner office and ruling power over your company. And imagine if that offer kept coming from multiple people and multiple ways. Imagine as well if all those around you urged you to take that position, which they whispered in your ear was rightfully yours. Jesus had those opportunities. …
This post will be a bit longer than normal, but stick with me. It will be worth it. I grew up poor. Some call it dirt poor. I remember opening the refrigerator and seeing it vividly empty. Yet God in his grace visited us. But for a long time I got the story wrong. I thought it was about me …
Life spans are increasing. Medical technology and improved lifestyle habits are part of the reason. But life spans have risen for 30 years. As a result of these increased life spans, there is an increasing possibility that three generations of family members might work in the family business. As a result, the oldest family member might work into their 80s …
I have a friend who says that in describing people that we are all like sheep. And “sheep just want to be happy.” But that’s the age-old question—how do you become happy? Dr. Dan Arley, Professor of Behavioral Economics and Psychology at Duke University, notes that if you are the receiver of a good deed or gift, then you will …
How do you spark storytelling among your family and preserve family memories? StoryCall, a handbook, lists 10 questions for prompting family stories: Did you have chores? What was your most and least favorite? When was the first time you drove? What was the first concert you attended? What were the main clothing styles during your school years, and how did …
When thinking about legacy, succession, inheritance and passing wealth, the reality is often much different than aspirations. Consider the following statistics on legacy, succession and inheritance: Most wealth transfer fails. 70% of intergenerational wealth transfer fails.[1] Success depends on mission. 30% of the families that succeeded did so because they had a family mission statement and a plan to accomplish that …
My dad came from a family of eight. He died when I was just 12 years old. His death came long before I knew enough to ask questions and to bring out his stories. To be frank, I’m not sure if he would have told them to me, or if we could have even had that kind of relationship. Along …
With Thanksgiving break over, I made the trek to the airport with my son in tow. An early morning flight made for a limited and quiet conversation. But predictably as we neared the airport, he asked, “Dad, do you know…” And with his question, he expressed the thoughts that had probably been on his mind for 8 days. The conversation …
