by Robert Freedman | Sep 12, 2018 | Charitable Giving, Donor-Advised Funds, Featured, Foundations, Linked In |
Antioch, Sep 11, 2018 (Issuewire.com) – The RainShine Foundation (RainShine), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting remote Congolese communities, is proud to announce the launch of its donor-advised fund, the RainShine Donor-Advised Fund. RainShine has entered into a partnership with the Advise Us Foundation, a national public charity dedicated to making the processes of donor-advised and planned giving more accessible, collaborative and beneficial for charities, donors, and their advisers. Through a generous, anonymous gift, the RainShine donor-advised fund enables the organization to build up financial reserves and plan for long-term capital improvement projects. Through its charitable giving partner, Advise Us Foundation, RainShine supporters can contribute a wide range of assets to RainShine’s donor-advised fund, including cash, appreciated stock, bonds, mutual funds, restricted and closely-held or non-publicly traded securities, real estate, limited partnerships, deferred gifts, and other illiquid assets. Assets in the donor-advised fund grow tax-free. “The decision for RainShine to partner with the Advise Us Foundation was simple. We were seeking a like-minded organization that was small enough to listen to our unique needs but also big enough to provide the charitable giving guidance we need now and into the future,” said Rob Freedman, Founder and Managing Director of The RainShine Foundation. This partnership will help ensure RainShine’s work building schools and other community infrastructure can continue and eventually expand to other villages in the Bas-Uele region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. For far too long, this region of the Congo has been underserved by both the Congolese government and international NGOs alike. RainShine stands as the only international organization working to help the people of Epi achieve...
by Robert Freedman | Oct 2, 2017 | Charitable Giving, Donor Impact, Featured |
Over the past 10 days Jews around the world, myself included, observed the High Holy Days, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. During these days, I along with countless others, turned our thoughts towards Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) and Tzedakah (charity). Between the trio of powerful hurricanes that ripped through the Caribbean and the southeastern United States, powerful earthquakes devastating neighboring Mexico, and the ongoing struggles of poverty, poaching, and refugees in central Africa, there is no shortage of need around the world. As I reflected on my own faith traditions of helping those in need, I was prompted to think about what other faith traditions say about charitable giving, especially during their highest holy days. Uniting Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism (amongst other things) is charitable giving. Here are some thoughts on charitable giving from these traditions: For Christians, the role of charity is first built on teachings in the Hebrew Bible. However, in addition to Hebrew teachings of performing mitzvahs are lessons in the New Testament. Jesus’s parables and actions also speak to the morality of charitable sentiments. The Gospel of Luke, for example, notes “love thy neighbor as thyself” and asks Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” The lesson is that we are interconnected, everyone is my neighbor and thus all should be considered. Buddhists also see the interdependence of all things and have an awareness of the helplessness of those less fortunate. Practicing selflessness in this way is thought to increase one’s own merit and is also seen as an antidote to greed. Giving is an expression of the natural qualities of kindness and compassion....
by Robert Freedman | Jul 31, 2016 | Linked In |
Santa Fe Community Foundation celebrates 35 years The foundation builds and manages charitable funds established by individual donors, families, and organizations. It also serves the philanthropic sector of New Mexico by training nonprofits in effective collaboration, defining board and staff roles and preaching community philanthropy. Read more...
by Robert Freedman | Jun 29, 2016 | Charitable Giving, Donor Impact, Donor-Advised Funds, Featured |
The Active Transportation Alliance partnered with The Advise Us Fund to offer expanded giving options to donors. This new partnership will go a long way in supporting Active Trans in its future development and planned giving efforts. Chicago, IL, June 23, 2016 –(PR.com)— Cycling advocacy has deep roots going back more than 40 years. As such, the early pioneers of this movement are looking to secure the future of the cycling movement through planned giving and major gifts and bequests. This shift in development strategy balances traditional annual giving and long-term planned giving to meet the needs of cycling advocates looking to secure the legacy of their life’s work. The Active Transportation Alliance partnered with The Advise Us Fund to offer expanded giving options to donors. This new partnership will go a long way in supporting Active Trans in its future development and planned giving efforts. Recognizing that both organizations work to achieve a similar goal, Active Trans is proud to partner with The Advise Us Fund. “The sustainable transportation movement has reached a new level of maturity,” said Ron Burke, Active Trans Executive Director. “Establishing a long-term giving program for the organization is a natural development for us as we grow and evolve. And we’re thrilled to be teaming up with The Advise Us Fund in pursuit of this goal.” Furthering this partnership, “We work toward matching the interest of donors to the needs of the organization and providing outcomes to help them enhance the difference they are making.” said Amy Roy, Charitable Catalyst and Managing Director of The Advise Us Fund. “We look forward to bringing our expertise...
by Robert Freedman | May 19, 2016 | Charitable Giving, Donor-Advised Funds, Uncategorized |
Your wallet, your heart and your head must all be open when donating to a charity. The first two are easy: you either have the passion and the funds or you don’t. However, the latter requires you to ask yourself five important questions to give wisely to a reputable charity. What truly interests you? A charitable heart can be pulled in many directions but it takes mindfulness to identify the organizations that are most meaningful to you. Take time reading the mission statements and understanding a charity’s goals so that they mirror your unique values, not just a cause that is universally good. Do you want to give to a general fund or a specific program? Like any investment, you want to make sure that your dollars go a long way. Instead of a Return on Investment, concentrate on your ROG, or Return on Giving. Determine “multipliers” for your donation and figure that in the rate of return. For example, a $100 donation to an organization could make your community $200 richer, or a $100 donation could enable volunteerism. A day’s work by a volunteer that would replace professional services charging, say, $50 for eight hours, is a $300 net on your $100 donation. Set goals for the outcomes of your donation and identify charities that give the best ROG. Will your donation be tax deductible? You may also want to take advantage of tax breaks. Part of your research of charities should involve a visit to the IRS website to search its database of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions. Keep in mind, this...
