Welcome!

This is a place you're invited to visit regularly for hot topics and creative ideas about all things philanthropic. Looking ahead is the focus. Here you'll learn about things you can do to design and use financial, estate, and gift plans that add value to your life - and, to the community and world around you.

You recall the Wizard of Oz noted, 'Back where I come from, there are men who do good deeds. They are called phila...er, phila...er, yes, ah, Good Deed Doers.' Indeed, men & women who are active philanthropists epitomize the spirit of good deed doing, not just back in the Wizard's homeland, but across the USA and around the world.

So, if you're curious about philanthropy, estate & gift planning, voluntarism, charitable financial planning, read on.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

If you can care and can do something, now is a good time to act.

All the news coming out of Washington, DC these days not only fills the newspapers and the news channels on TV and radio - but in all the news clutter, a message that is getting lost is how much the colleges & universities, charities, churches, and other causes in our lives need the support of folks who care.  Economist Arthur Brooks has asked - and answered - the question, "Who Really Cares?" - and, the overwhelming conclusion he discovered in the course of his painstaking research is that the folks who care the most are the folks we all know - and, us. Sure, there are the big-time philanthropists who can make mega-gifts of $50 or $100 million (or more), but there's not a lot of Vanderbilts, Carnegies, Buffetts, and Gates around.  In truth, the lion's share of charitable giving comes from folks of modest means - billions of dollars in charitable gifts come from millions of donors every year.  And, all the causes we care about are able to help make our lives and society better thanks to this support.

So, right now it's easy to be concerned about a lot of things - many of which are quite beyond our capacity to affect the ultimate outcomes - but, well within our control is the chance - right now - to do something that makes a difference.  Whether it's a gift to your alma mater to help with scholarship needs (and, you can be sure that such needs are great at every college & university in the country!), or a pledge at work for United Way, or adding a special gift in the plate at church for a mission trip or the pastor's discretionary fund - whatever it may be, it will be greatly appreciated.  

I suppose it comes down to this:  If you care, this is a terrific time to act on your caring nature. Not only will the beneficiary of your generosity be appreciative, but you'll be glad you did it, too.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Hmmmm.... Michael Jackson's WIll

Well, it seems the world is curious about all things Michael Jackson, and where else better than a blog on all things having to do with financial & estate planning to offer you, dear readers, a link to MJ's LAST WILL & TESTAMENT. 

So, here it is -