Over the years, I’ve had the privilege to work with many families who were exploring ways to involve their children (and sometimes grandchildren) in their charitable giving. For some, it is a natural extension of their existing family dynamic–their children have grown up participating in many forms of giving back as a family, and they take easily to becoming more deeply embedded with decisions about grantmaking. For other families, it’s a more sensitive conversation–especially if it involves estate planning. What I’ve learned is that every family is different–with a range of personalities, financial considerations and philanthropic goals. Parents come to the table wanting their children to share their philanthropic journey, but they have to figure out whether to share the reins or turn them over, and when. Children might want to forge a new philanthropic path but still wish to honor their parents giving history. Fortunately, we are able to provide a safe space for all family members–and their professional advisors–to talk openly about how to arrive at a charitable giving solution that works for the entire family. And our work doesn’t stop there; we will continue to help educate and guide your family members as they become more deeply involved.
At The Community Foundation, opening a fund starts with opening a conversation. If you’ve been considering how to involve your family members more intimately with your charitable giving, please feel free to call on us. We can help you share the joy of your philanthropy with confidence that your legacy is in good hands.
