Insights

For most people, making a charitable gift is not a spur-of-the-moment decision. Sure, many of us say yes to small donations like rounding up purchases at the drug store for a worthy cause or dropping a little extra in the jar at a convenience store to help local youth organizations.

But bigger gifts are typically far more intentional and come after careful consideration and, often, fairly significant planning. It all starts with you, of course, but the culmination of significant gifts frequently proves to be the work of a three-member team: you, a representative of our staff, and your advisor(s). Each team member plays a very important role in the process.

• Captain. Let’s start with the most important member and captain of the team: You! It all starts with your desire to achieve a meaningful philanthropic goal. You are the one who knows what it is you would like to achieve by way of your generosity. Only you can decide which course the team will ultimately follow.

• Coach. Next up is a member of our staff who functions somewhat like a coach. It is our job to know about gift-planning options. It is also our job to get to know you and understand your philanthropic goals, share aspects of our mission that may align with your passions, and then share information about giving strategies that might work for you.

• Rules Expert. Your advisors are invaluable. It is important to you—and to us—that there is someone in your corner who understands your specific circumstances; who understands the practical, legal, and financial implications to you of various giving options; and who is charged with looking out for your best interests.

If you would like to get the ball rolling, please contact our office. We would love the opportunity to meet with you, have you share your vision for how you would like to support our work, and answer any questions you might have for us. We, in turn, can share information and options you might find useful—maybe even inspiring. If you like what you hear, perhaps we should bring your advisors into the conversation to discuss the best way to achieve your goals. It could be time for a team meeting.