tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51322812024-03-08T04:38:37.608-05:00The PhilanthropistNews and insights for aspiring, emerging and established philanthropistsAndrew Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00320813459028259030noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132281.post-7005540332656452472007-09-20T08:07:00.000-05:002007-09-20T08:17:53.896-05:00Donors May Get Pickier with Gifts to CollegesA group of wealthy philanthropists is establishing a nonprofit organization to advise donors on how to attach legally enforceable conditions on gifts to their alma maters.The new Indianapolis-based Center for Excellence in Higher Education is backed by three foundations, those of Bernard Marcus (Home Depot's founder), the Sir John Templeton Foundation, and the John William Pope Foundation.Andrew Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00320813459028259030noreply@blogger.com346tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132281.post-1158675316543879912006-09-19T09:11:00.000-05:002006-09-19T09:15:17.693-05:00Public Confidence in Charities Rebounds SlightlyPublic confidence in U.S. charities has risen slightly since Sept. 11, 2001, but still has not returned to the level of trust experienced before that day, according to a new survey.Confidence in Charitable Organizations, 2006, conducted by the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University. 69 percent of Americans expressed a great deal or a fair amount of confidence Andrew Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00320813459028259030noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132281.post-1152901228472812262006-07-14T13:12:00.000-05:002006-07-14T13:20:29.393-05:00Top 10 Estate Planning MistakesAn estate plan will help you create a coordinated strategy for conserving the assets you accumulate during your lifetime, distribute them according to your wishes at the time of your death, and provide for any needed funding to meet family needs and other special considerations -- such as philanthropic interests.To avoid some common pitfalls, Morningstar reviews the top 10 estate planning Andrew Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00320813459028259030noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132281.post-1151346829259504122006-06-26T13:14:00.000-05:002006-06-26T13:33:49.850-05:00The Biggest Week in the History of Charitable Giving?Is it hyperbolic to consider that this past week has probably been among the most significant in the philanthropic world? Not since 1913 when John D. Rockefeller established his foundation has such an important series of events taken place in such a short span of time:Bill Gates announces that he will step down from day-to-day operations at Microsoft to devote his attention to his private Andrew Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00320813459028259030noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132281.post-1138730788749232782006-01-31T13:00:00.000-05:002006-01-31T13:06:29.046-05:00Rockefellers Celebrate Three Centuries of PhilanthropyThe Rockefeller family has sustained a prominent and creative presence in philanthropy for more than 120 years and six generations. A new monograph, based on a series of discussions and presentations by family members and associates explains how they have been able to nurture the family's charitable pursuits across decades. Entitled, An Entrepreneurial Spirit: Three Centuries of Rockefeller Andrew Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00320813459028259030noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132281.post-1137162455225049972006-01-13T09:22:00.000-05:002006-01-13T09:28:41.460-05:00Getting Smart at Being GoodIn the capitalist world of bare-knuckled competion, a growing number of CEOs believe that baring their corporate soul can bolster the bottom line. Time magazine profiles several executives that are testing the notion that corporations ought to exist for more than the pursuit of profit.Andrew Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00320813459028259030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132281.post-1135904620932052212005-12-29T20:01:00.000-05:002005-12-29T20:06:22.490-05:00Fast Company Recognizes Social CapitalistsThe current issue of Fast Company provides its annual ranking of social capitalists (aka really creative and cutting edge nonprofit organizations). While many of those recognized are past winners, it is always an instructive and inspiring group of institutions doing some fantastic work.Andrew Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00320813459028259030noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132281.post-1133890056357787382005-12-06T12:25:00.000-05:002005-12-06T12:27:50.020-05:00Senate tax bill opens new doors for charitable givingThe Senate's recently passed tax bill includes a section that aims to encourage charitable giving. The bill, S. 2020, contains incentives for charitable giving such as allowing tax-free charitable gifts from individual retirement accounts and new deductions for people who can't deduct their donations, because they don't itemize on their tax returns. Among the bill's other provisions are stricter Andrew Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00320813459028259030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132281.post-1132756668107964832005-11-23T09:17:00.000-05:002005-11-23T09:40:34.453-05:00School Daze: Alumni Ante UpAccording to the latest issue of Kiplinger's Personal Finance, if you plan to endow a scholarship at your alma mater, prepare to dig a little deeper. For example, Duke raised the amount needed to fund a restricted scholarship (the kind that gives you some say over who receives the award, such as specifiying the student's field of study) from $100,000 to $250,000. Johns Hopkins raised their Andrew Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00320813459028259030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132281.post-1132668750809230202005-11-22T09:11:00.000-05:002005-11-22T09:19:06.430-05:00Leaving a Legacy, Large and SmallA variety of options are available to create legacy -- from private foundations to donor advised funds and supporting organizations. Each vehicle for donor-advised giving has its strengths and limitations, as well as a minimum investment threshold that may help you quickly narrow your options. But all of them have one thing in common: They help the 1.2 million charities in the United States.Andrew Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00320813459028259030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132281.post-1132170929945245322005-11-16T14:45:00.000-05:002005-11-16T15:49:31.540-05:00New Donor Advised Fund for Financial AdvisorsThe National Philanthropic Trust, in partnership with Concord Equity Group Advisors, have launched a new donor advised fund offered exclusively to independent financial advisors, brokers, estate planners, accountants, trust officers, wealth managers and other professionals. The new program, the Independent Charitable Gift Fund, is also the first donor advised fund to invest in exchange-traded Andrew Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00320813459028259030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132281.post-1131567173014127692005-11-09T15:12:00.000-05:002005-11-09T15:12:53.096-05:00Charitable Gift Annuity CalculatorCalculate your payout from a charitable gift annuity for one or two lives with this simple charitable gift calculator from PGCalc.Andrew Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00320813459028259030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132281.post-1104350694240101272005-11-09T14:38:00.000-05:002005-11-09T15:09:33.046-05:00Seen and Be Seen - Upcoming ConferencesMake your reservations now and chase away the winter blues by attending these conferences:40th Annual Heckerling Institute on Estate PlanningJanuary 9-13Fountainbleu Hilton ResortMiami Beach, FLSponsored by the University of Miami Law School(305) 284-47622006 Mid-Winter Tax & Estate Planning ConferenceJanuary 15-22St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands;Sponsored by the National Law Foundation(302) Andrew Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00320813459028259030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132281.post-1104197495350436582004-12-27T20:28:00.000-05:002004-12-27T20:31:35.350-05:00How You Can Help The Victims of Asia Earthquake and TsunamisThe following organizations have the proven expertise to mitigate the damage from this disaster in both the near and long term. All have a long-term presence in the region, and currently have emergency teams on the ground to provide needed relief assistance to victims:
Save the ChildrenAsia Earthquake/Tidal Wave Relief Fund
54 Wilton Road
Westport, CT 06880
(800) 728-3843
Mercy Corps
PO Box Andrew Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00320813459028259030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132281.post-1104173344680303862004-12-27T13:38:00.000-05:002004-12-27T13:58:27.246-05:00Helping the Victims of the South Asia Earthquake and TsunamisAccording to the Wall Street Journal a multibillion-dollar disaster-recovery package is going to be needed for the countries worst affected by a tsunami that hit southern Asia from India to Thailand, killing thousands of people. While the World Bank, United Nations, and others will provide aid, Americans looking to make a charitable donation to help should contact the American Red Cross Andrew Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00320813459028259030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132281.post-1103640314635650802004-12-21T09:18:00.000-05:002004-12-21T09:45:14.636-05:00Generosity Index Ranks Giving By StateThe Catalog for Philanthropy has released its 2004 Generosity Index (GI), a state-by-state analysis of individual tax returns and charitable giving patterns. The 2004 index (based on 2002 tax returns) ranks Mississippi, Arkansas and Oklahoma as the most generous, and Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Hampshire as the least.
The GI is based on the philosophy that philanthropic generosity is Andrew Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00320813459028259030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132281.post-1101828294823516322004-11-30T10:09:00.000-05:002004-11-30T10:24:54.823-05:00Nifty 50: Top Philanthropists Giving Even MoreWhile overall giving may be growing only slightly, the largest donors in the United States are increasing their gifts by tremendous amounts, according to BusinessWeek’s third annual rankings of the Top 50 U.S. Philanthropists.
For instance, Bill and Melinda Gates donated their entire stock dividend worth $3 billion! That's more than the entire Walton family of Wal-Mart fame have given in theirAndrew Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00320813459028259030noreply@blogger.com64tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132281.post-1101827347869867482004-11-30T10:07:00.000-05:002004-11-30T10:09:07.870-05:00We're In the Money: Millionaires Growing at Record RateThe number of households with more than one million dollars in net worth (excluding primary residence) has risen to a record high as well as at a record rate, according to new research released today by TNS Financial Services. According to the latest Affluent Market Research Program (AMRP), TNS’ annual survey of wealthy U.S. households, the number has shot to 8.2 million as of mid-2004, a 33 Andrew Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00320813459028259030noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132281.post-1100112448434308132004-11-10T13:41:00.000-05:002004-11-10T13:47:28.433-05:00A Bypass Trust Can Assist Wealthy Couples For married couples with estates valued at more than the federal estate-tax exemption, a bypass trust can sharply reduce the potential burden. Bypass trusts also offer a few other important benefits. (Source: The Houston Chronicle)
Andrew Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00320813459028259030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132281.post-1099582252558890072004-11-04T10:15:00.000-05:002004-11-04T10:30:52.560-05:00Donor Advised Fund Reforms WelcomedBased on hearings that took place last June, and its own research, the US Senate Finance Committee’s staff has proposed a number of recommendations to more closely regulate donor advised funds. The Non-Profit Times reports that these reforms are being welcomed by a number of leaders in the field.
The National Philanthropic Trust, along with other leading providers of donor advised funds, has Andrew Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00320813459028259030noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132281.post-1099581290520683562004-11-04T09:51:00.000-05:002004-11-04T10:14:50.520-05:00Bigger Estates - Fewer Estate TaxesAccording to a new report from the IRS, the number of Americans who left large fortunes increased, but the overall amount of estate taxes declined.
A major factor was the decline in the estate tax rate, and increases to the exclusion rate that were passed as part of President Bush's tax overhaul in 2001. Estate taxes only apply to estates greater than $1 million, up from $675,000, and double Andrew Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00320813459028259030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132281.post-1098891482029528022004-10-27T10:20:00.000-05:002004-10-27T10:38:02.030-05:00Wealth Managers - Is Yours Certifiable?The Wall Street Journal reports today that the growth, and increased competition in the high-net-worth marketplace has spawned a number of programs to train and certify advisors in the field of wealth managment.
According to the article the programs seem to fall into two camps: "certificate courses that run for a matter of hours or days, and graduate programs that last a semester or two." The Andrew Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00320813459028259030noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132281.post-1098296359335765352004-10-20T13:08:00.000-05:002004-10-20T13:19:19.336-05:00Stupid Tax TricksForbes.com has a posted an insightful article on donor managed investment accounts (requires registration). This new charitable giving vehicle has received some press lately -- recently profiled in the Wall Street Journal -- but it has a number of shortcomings, and its long-term viability is uncertain. We have also provided a side-by-side comparison between donor managed investment accounts, Andrew Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00320813459028259030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132281.post-1097853230716115852004-10-15T10:04:00.000-05:002004-10-15T10:13:50.716-05:00Where We Have Been, Where We Are GoingIt has been a year since we updated our Weblog, and that is for many and varied reasons. This is not for a lack of commitment. We have gone through a number of changes, and in the future, you should see regular posts online.
In addition, we will be integrating our Weblog onto our host website - National Philanthropic Trust (www.nptrust.org). We are rebuilding that entire site form the Andrew Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00320813459028259030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132281.post-1066744428315063782003-10-21T08:53:00.000-05:002003-10-21T09:09:46.463-05:00Interesting Fact: Wal-Mart Equals Philanthropy
For those of you looking to add an interesting statistic in your keynote address or cocktail party conversation, some stats I read in a recent New York Times article about Wal-Mart, the largest retailer in the world, combined with my sources in the nonprofit sector are quite intriguing.
Wal-Mart (1)
1.4 million employees
$245 billion in sales
$10-14Andrew Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00320813459028259030noreply@blogger.com0