I recently encouraged a client to imagine the personal joy and fulfillment she would experience through supporting organizations she cares about DURING her lifetime, instead of after she’s gone.

For many, being philanthropic means leaving money to charity through beneficiary designations or wills. Once the donor passes away, organizations will certainly benefit from those donations; but sadly, in my opinion, the donor misses out on the opportunity to witness the meaningful impact their dollars have toward the greater good.

I ran upon an article, “Is Family Philanthropy Worth the Effort?”, that addresses building a family culture of philanthropy, whether that is through monetary efforts, or through gifts of time and energy. This can strengthen family bond, create family legacy, and make meaningful difference in our communities.

Fall always feels like a season of giving to me. What better time to be intentional about conversations with family to come up with ways to give back, pay forward, however you want to label it?

Be creative. Involve the littles, the tweens, the teens, your college students, and your adult children. Make it a fun and meaningful conversation about how blessed you are, and learn how each would give back if there were no limits.

Remember, the most valuable contributions are often not monetary. I encourage you to think outside the box to build your family philanthropy plan.

At the end of the day, we are about helping you achieve your best return on life. For many, that includes making the lives of others better. Share your ideas with your advisor, ask for our input and guidance. If you are considering cash or securities donations, we will help you strategically achieve your goals.

For insights on on "tax-smart" charitable giving, we invite you to watch the "Tax-Smart, High Impact Giving at Any Age" webinar recording, hosted by Global Links in Pittsburgh, PA and featuring MCWS Chief Compliance Officer and Financial Strategist John Binz, JD as speaker. John shares very valuable information for all donors.