To give money is an easy matter in any man’s power. But to decide to whom to give it, and how large and when, and for what purpose and how, is neither in every man’s power nor an easy matter. Hence, it is that such excellence is rare, praiseworthy, and noble.
- Aristotle (384 - 322 BC)
Charitable giving cuts across demographic, cultural and geographic boundaries. It can range from donating time or money to a charity to solve immediate local problems, or directing large sums to tackle issues on a broad scale.
While giving may appear simple, giving effectively is not; as a donor’s giving increases, so too does the time and effort required to manage the distribution of charitable funds - and to ensure that the money is given wisely and strategically. Whether global or local, philanthropy cannot be handled on an ad hoc basis. At some point, many donors decide that they would benefit from the assistance and guidance of an individual or firm with experience in handling a range of philanthropy-related issues. This can be prompted by a number of different scenarios including those in which the donor wishes to:
Invest resources across a broader geographical region, but is unfamiliar with either regional issues or active organizations;
- Learn more about the range and types of groups working to address a specific problem; or
- Establish a foundation or trust, but neither wishes to manage the day-to-day operations nor hire a full-time staff to do so.
Most donors seek professional guidance simply because they want to maximize the impact of their philanthropy over time. They recognize the value of a professional who will work closely with them to focus on the motivations and goals for their giving; research and identify appropriate beneficiary organizations; monitor and gauge the impact of the giving, and work in concert with the donor’s financial and legal advisors to ensure that a giving program dovetails with a donor’s over all financial plans.
Nothing is more personal than our finances - how we earn, invest and donate our money are often reflections of who we are. For this reason, you most likely selected a financial advisor who understands and respects your goals, and acts accordingly.
The same should be true with your philanthropy. When the time comes that you are interested in exploring whether you need a philanthropic advisor, it is most important that you find an advisor who takes the time to listen, to talk with you about your motivations, interests and goals, and then works closely with you to turn them into a giving program.
Precisely this collaborative methodology and unparalleled experience are at the core of how we help donors create thoughtful, effective philanthropy.