SmartGiving: Planning Well To Do The Most Good - A Philanthropic Advisory Service


• Overview • Samples • FAQ's • Next Steps

Why can't I develop a philanthropic mission statement and plan on my own?
What if there are certain organizations I want to give to no matter what?
What do you charge for your services?
I'm not Bill Gates. Does this service really make sense for me?
Can I afford your services?
I'm awfully busy. How much time does this process take?
What kind of information is available from other sources on charities?
How does philanthropic planning relate to estate and financial planning?
Do the nonprofits pay you a commission for referrals?
Do you work only with individuals or do you also work with Foundations?

Why can't I develop a philanthropic mission statement and plan on my own?
You certainly can, but we have some specialized processes that seem to work well for most people. Also, philanthropic objectives can change over time: your assets may enlarge to the point that you have more to give; your children and grandchildren are successful in their own right and so your annual and estate giving to family may not need to grow; and your priorities may change due to a life-changing event (a loved one struggling with a disease, for example or travel to a part of the world that inspires you). Even if you've established your philanthropic objectives in the past, just like a good financial plan, it's a good idea to periodically review them.

What if there are certain organizations I want to give to no matter what?
The entire process is customized and personalized just for you. Your Grantee List may include organization's you're already familiar with and may be giving to currently. Our goal is to help you do exactly what you want with your charitable investments.

What do you charge for your services?
Like your estate planning attorney, we charge an hourly rate. Unlike other philanthropic advisory services, we never charge a percentage of the amount you donate. No matter how much you give, our fees remain the same.

I'm not Bill Gates. Does this service really make sense for me?
No matter the amount you donate, you want your generosity to have the desired impact. A small, one-time investment in planning can yield significant, long-term returns. We find that our services make most sense for those whose annual giving is in excess of $15,000 or who many not be giving at that level (or above) annually but who are doing estate planning.

Can I afford your services?
Our initial fees usually cost no more than you would pay to have a simple will or financial plan drafted. And our ongoing work is even more cost-effective. The best way to find out about our fees, though, is to contact us. We'll provide an estimate before we do anything.

I'm awfully busy. How much time does this process take?
Actually SmartGiving will save you time since we do all the legwork for you when it comes to finding the best charity matches for you. Your time is invested up-front, in determining your goals and preferences. A few hours of your time are all it takes.

What kind of information is available from other sources on charities?
Very little, Financial metrics are generally limited to what's shown on a charity's IRS return, commonly known as a Form 990. Annual reports are available but nonprofit organizations simply aren't accustomed to providing the kind of qualitative information most donors want to know. And, as noted above, to analyze the information that is available takes time and expertise, which most donors don't have.

How does philanthropic planning relate to estate and financial planning?
All three types of planning have the same goal: achieving the best possible impact with investments. We're happy to consult as a team with donors and advisors.

Do the nonprofits pay you a commission for referrals?
Never! Nothing is paid to us by the nonprofit nor do our fees vary based on the amount of the gift.

Do you work only with individuals or do you also work with Foundations?
We welcome the opportunity to work with Foundations that have been established by individuals and/or families through a donor-advised fund, through a Community Foundation, a Federation or through a financial services or brokerage company. What we don't do is the administrative aspects of running a Foundation, such as annual meetings and grants administration.

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• Match Profile
• Grantee Snapshot
• Reports