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Connect with Purpose
November 21, 2024 Place-Based Funding: Why Philanthropists Choose this Strategy?

As a philanthropist, you have the exhilarating opportunity to maximize your impact with your charitable dollars, your time and your connections. Early on in the planning phase, you may consider: Should I focus on a specific issue or a specific place to drive my philanthropic efforts? Or maybe it is a combination of the two. […]

November 14, 2024 Five Years of Grant Philanthropic Advisors: Observations in Philanthropy

In 2019, I had a kernel of an idea to help philanthropists in their strategic decision making. Today, we’ve served dozens of clients and grown to a team of 8 to provide an objective, independent point of view on philanthropy advising. You have been critical in our journey as a firm – thank you! Today, the need […]

October 28, 2024 Companies’ Role in Philanthropy, Especially Amid Natural Disasters

When natural disasters like Hurricane Helene strike, the devastation can be overwhelming. Communities face displacement, businesses suffer losses, and infrastructure can be crippled. In times like these, companies have a unique opportunity to step up, providing crucial resources and leadership in disaster response and recovery efforts. An inspiring example is The Biltmore Estate’ response to […]

September 26, 2024 Philanthropic Learning Journeys | How to Design for Impact?

What is a Learning Journey? A learning journey is a series of intentionally planned experiences with thought leaders in the field of philanthropy. It is more than just going on site visits. You may want to go deeper in understanding your role as an effective funder in a specific area. How can you work smarter […]

August 22, 2024 The Power of Family Legacy + Philanthropy

In a world that often prioritizes individual success, the concept of family legacy and philanthropy stands as a beacon of inspiration. By embracing philanthropy as a core element of their legacy, families can create a ripple effect of positive change that spans generations. Spending time to define what your legacy is and means to you […]

July 24, 2024 Making Time to Connect | The Value of Nonprofit Site Visits

Regular connection with the nonprofit community is critical to being an effective philanthropist. One of the most immersive ways to be effective is to conduct site visits at nonprofit organizations. These visits provide a firsthand look at how nonprofits operate, the communities they serve, and the tangible outcomes of their programs.  Site visits can broaden […]

June 27, 2024 Navigating Philanthropy: Let Data be Your Compass

Aristotle once said, “To give money away is an easy matter and in any man’s power. But to decide to whom to give it, and how much, and when, and for what purpose and how, is neither in every man’s power nor an easy matter.” This question has been posed since the dawn of time. […]

June 18, 2024 10 Ways to Volunteer as a Family

It sounds good in theory: “We’re going to volunteer as a family this summer with all of our free time!” Then reality sets in: When are you supposed to fit this into the schedule? Or we hear a lot, “I want my children to use their summer to get better connected to our community. But […]

May 13, 2024 Choosing the Right Charitable Giving Vehicle

Philanthropists and their advisors often wrestle with their options for charitable giving vehicles. You’ve mostly heard of a donor advised fund (DAF) and a private foundation, which are the two most common. Families can choose alternatives in the form of LLCs or Trusts. More sophisticated philanthropists may utilize a variety of giving vehicles to accomplish […]

April 10, 2024 Timing is everything | When to engage a philanthropic advisor?

When is the right time to engage a philanthropic advisor to achieve effective and lasting results? You and your family may be exploring estate and tax planning strategies with your advisors. Philanthropy and social impact are likely a part of the conversation. You are asking big questions about legacy planning and how to take care […]

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P.O. Box 20122
Charleston, SC 29413