Articles Tagged with Charitable Giving

Money tree[Donor-advised funds] promise a number of advantages over foundations, such as lower annual costs, more privacy and no required minimum payout each year. A big difference between the two is control.

Running a charitable foundation can be richly rewarding, yet exhausting. Now there is a popular alternative to a full foundation and a move to collapse back into what is known as a donor-advised fund.

If you or your family run a charitable foundation and are considering this alternative, The Wall Street Journal had a few points to consider in a recent article titled “Risks to Consider With Donor-Advised Funds.”

ThAbout 50 years ago, only 5% of the total assets of America's largest 50 foundations were held by spend-downs. In 2010, that number had risen to 24%, according to Bridgespan Group in Boston.

Today's charitable foundations seem to be shifting from maintenance for longevity to spending down and winding up.

This trend was identified in a recent article in The Wall Street Journal titled “The Rise of Spend-Down Philanthropy.” The hard numbers in the article come from an analysis by the Bridgespan Group which found a marked jump in spend-downs. As reported there, “About 50 years ago, only 5% of the total assets of America's largest 50 foundations were held by spend-downs. In 2010, that number had risen to 24%, according to Bridgespan Group in Boston.”

Money giftThere are several ways to donate a life insurance policy to charity, according to the Planned Giving Design Center, Monroe, NC.

There are many advantages to life insurance as it can be a cushion against high-cost issues or a source of much-needed cash flow for your family. However, you might end up not needing it all. If this is the case, what do you do with the policy?

The good news is that you can kill two birds with one stone. Have you thought about donating your life insurance to a worthy cause?

Giving-to-charity2… Large-scale strategic philanthropists are forcing family foundations of all sizes "to re-examine whether they're approaching their giving in a way that's likely to have the biggest impact." And, sometimes, as Pierce has found, a bigger impact can come from foundations of smaller sizes.

Small family charities and foundations can often be overshadowed by big-time charities– the Gates Foundations, the Case Foundations, former presidents and the Rockefellers of today. It’s an unfortunate problem of recognition that the Wall Street Journal points out over in “Small-Fry Family Foundations,” and many new charities face.

Many new retirees are ready for a new challenge and a second career of giving back. After all, once they are playing the “back nine” of life, several new retirees are looking to make a difference with the fruits of their life’s work. Many choose to create a family foundation to make the most meaningful use of their time and money, not to mention to achieve their charitable objectives.

TaxesYou were so helpful to me in September, clarifying the IRA charitable contribution. Do you know if the government is instituting that same contribution this year?

We are well into tax season and planning for the upcoming year. Are you keeping up with the tax laws? As many retirees and their advisors review changes in the tax laws and begin their planning, they have one important question in common: “Will Congress revive the IRA charity rollover?”

Coincidentally, these taxpayers and advisors will be interested in a recent article in The Wall Street Journal titled “Will Congress Revive the IRA Charity Rollover?

Giving-to-charity2Want to better understand the mistakes charities make, so you can do a better job in your own philanthropic endeavors?

With the yearly end-of-year run on charitable giving now behind us for 2013, and year-end stresses subsiding, this might be a good time to consider how to approach your philanthropy to do the most good.

Sometimes knowing what not to do is more instructive than a positive lesson. This is true in all of life’s lessons, big and small (think sticking your tongue on a frozen flagpole).  When it comes to charitable giving, a recent article in Barron’s chronicles how well-intentioned charity often fails in its follow-through. The article, titled “Philanthropic Fiascos,” provides a few major real-life examples of incredible generosity squandered, including the failure of positive change in Haiti despite an incredible international outpouring of charitable funds.

Gold gift packageAs the year comes to a close, it is time to consider how we show our generosity, so we can allocate our resources deliberately and effectively.

There is still time to give those charitable gifts for 2013! And there are countless worthy causes to choose from.  So the question is: do the charities you select fulfill the purpose behind your contribution?

While you are in the “holiday spirit,” you might want to survey a recent Forbes article titled “What Kind Of Philanthropist Are You? A How-To For Aligning Your Giving With Your Personal Values.

Giving-to-charity2I know that most people will simply write a check to their charity of choice but for many, there is a more tax efficient way to gift, right?

With the end of 2013 fast approaching, have you considered your year-end charitable gift strategy? While it is sometimes hard to figure out to whom you are going to give to, also remember to consider what you are going to give. In addition to your time and/or your money, there are other special (yet common) assets to donate.

Most seasoned donors are already well acquainted with the fact that there are many great tax advantages to charitable giving. In that spirit, keep in mind that those appreciated securities you have may be the perfect gift to benefit your charities rather than the IRS.

MP900382633A tax deduction for charitable giving isn’t guaranteed just because you’re feeling generous. As with everything in tax law, it’s important to follow the rules.

As the holiday giving season begins with the tax year ending shortly thereafter, now is a good time to plan your giving. But take note: there is giving, and then there is “smart” giving. And since you want the best outcome for both you and the charities you support, smart giving is accomplished by thorough planning.

Fortunately, Forbes has provided some giving tips and reminders well in advance in a recent article titled “Making Your Gifts Count:10 Smart Tips For Charitable Giving.

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