Motivate Generosity
12600 Deerfield Parkway Alpharetta, GA 30004
Phone: (678) 353-3355

Involuntary…

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Webster’s Dictionary defines a philanthropist as “a benevolent supporter of human beings and human welfare.”

When I grew up and heard that big word, guess who I thought about?

Andrew Carnegie. Henry Ford. The Kennedys. The mega-wealthy.

Who’s this, “Someone who surrenders up to one-half of their family’s wealth or one-fifth of their capital gains to support the general welfare of our country?”

The answer: a taxpayer.

In my vernacular, a taxpayer is an involuntary philanthropist.

Our tax code makes us all philanthropists… and tax is the ultimate loss of control. Don’t get me wrong; I’m wholeheartedly for paying my fair share of taxes.

That said… to avoid taking advantage of tax incentives that have been available for decades is… well… ludicrous.

The estate tax and the capital gains tax are both voluntary.

Your donors have the choice to opt out of both of them… and control where that money goes through a more joyful process: Voluntary Philanthropy.

Are you letting them know about all of their choices?

“If there be any truer measure of a man than by what he does, it must be by what he gives”

Robert South
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How Giving Won WWII

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Philanthropy, even your philanthropy, no matter how big or small can make a difference in powerful ways.

You should never underestimate the impact of your philanthropy of the philanthropy you encourage in others.

Private philanthropy played a major role in the defeat of Hitler in World War II!

Alfred Loomis was a successful entrepreneur in the mid- 1930s, whose foresight and clairvoyance of sorts allowed him to profit from the Great Depression.

At the age of forty-five, Loomis made a “gift” that would later change the course of the war. His private philanthropy created a leading-edge physics lab that attracted the likes of Albert Einstein and others.

This 18-month philanthropic project gave the Allies what some have called the “single most important technology that helped win the war” – —radar.

The preferred vehicle for private philanthropy in the United States has long been the family foundation.

However, recent changes to the donor advised fund have made it a very popular vehicle for family giving.

If a donor has a family foundation, show them the advantages of a donor advised fund. Today’s donor advised fund offers nearly all the flexibility with much less cost and hassle.

An outright gift and donor advised fund gift can benefit the donor and the charities it names. Either way, decide to give.

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