Five questions, in order, will give you a broad-stroke-overview understanding of the legacy planning process. A few additional questions help clarify. Read the rest of this entry »

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Do North American evangelical Christians really believe in heaven? Not if you look at their behavior, says one speaker. Here’s his evidence.

I’m at the The Seed Company’s President’s Forum. Great stuff coming out.

One of the speakers spoke provocatively: “Based on their giving patterns, American evangelicals do not believe they are going to heaven.” Read the rest of this entry »

In business you’re told to find a niche and fill it: define clearly what you’re all about, and focus on that one thing. I believe it should be similar when it comes to charity.

I met today with a guy who has given several million dollars to a number of charitable causes over the past 25 years or so. He told me his story. Maybe one day I’ll share it here.

But in the midst of all the other fascinating things he told me, one thing stuck out above all else: he knows his charitable niche. Read the rest of this entry »

What do you get from the following personal letter Sarita and I received Monday from the president of one of the charities we support? I believe it raises some strategic questions major donors ought to be thinking about as they fund their favorite charities. Read the rest of this entry »

Patricia Sellers, editor-at-large for Fortune magazine has written an inspirational and thought-provoking article about Melinda Gates and her perspective on Bill, working with Warren Buffett, and giving away their billions.

Just so you understand what, exactly, we’re talking about, let me note:

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has assets of $37.6 billion, making it the world’s largest. In that total is $3.4 billion that Warren Buffett has already given, and still to come are nine million Berkshire Hathaway B shares, currently worth $41 billion, that he has pledged to contribute in coming years. Assuming that Berkshire (BRKA, Fortune 500) shares continue to rise and that the Gateses continue to bestow their own wealth on their foundation, Melinda and Bill will very likely give away more than $100 billion in their lifetimes. Already the foundation has disbursed $14.4 billion - more than the Rockefeller Foundation has distributed since its creation in 1913 (even adjusted for inflation).

Anything to be learned from someone like Melinda?

Here are a few of my take-aways: Read the rest of this entry »

I wrote a post in which I referenced the “50% of AGI Barrier.” I realized maybe some of my readers would be unaware of what I was talking about.

First of all, a definition.

AGI is Adjusted Gross Income–the basic number on which the IRS calculates your income tax.

The “50% Barrier” refers to the fact that the US tax code permits you to give up to 50% of your AGI to approved charities and claim a deduction. Gifts beyond 50% of AGI can be carried forward for deduction in the future–up to five years.

A great benefit, indeed. However . . . Read the rest of this entry »

Below, you will find a portion of one of two videos we’ve seen from Bob Coy.

It matches what I just wrote about last night.

Actually, now that I think of it, Read the rest of this entry »

I think I caught the meaning of something I have heard before, but never quite understood. As it is beginning to sink in, I think it may be revolutionary . . . because it provides clarity for some fundamental financial decision-making.

Specifically, here’s the phrase:

It all belongs to God. Now, how much does He want me to keep for myself?

Read the rest of this entry »