PHILANTHROPIC PLANNING in the NEW YEAR
Many of our clients will begin this New Year contemplating how to make more effective use of their philanthropically committed dollars. So, I thought it wise to help clients understand some important themes that will make the planning process more effective and the results more satisfying. Rarely do clients think of the word “teamwork” and its application to charitable planning. Unfortunately, too many clients think that the planning process primarily involves establishing a private foundation, a donor-advised fund, or some type of charitable trust for tax planning purposes. Often, clients minimize a focus on the process within and among the… Read more
(Random) NEW YEAR THOUGHTS
Valuable information sometimes comes in small packages. And so it is with a recent study that caught my attention about a small section of American business families. While not geographically diverse, the study offers yet another glimpse into the many contradictions and complexities of family owned businesses. This study was conducted by the Seidman College of Business at Grand Valley State University and Western Michigan University, both in Michigan. What makes the survey so interesting is its very regional nature of focusing on counties in West Michigan. 690 family businesses were sent surveys and 156 responded. Just some facts: The… Read more