What “counts” for me and my family?

Posted by Susan Turnbull March 26, 2010 in Blog

James Barnes, Vanguard Charitable Program, as written a very thoughtful piece about family conversations around charitable purpose. I like the question he asks people to consider, “What counts for me and my family?” That is a good starting point for thinking about how to share in the most natural way the answer to the question, “Why did I choose to create this charitable foundation, fund or bequest?”

The legal documents that establish the philanthropic instrument are going to cover WHAT it is and HOW it is going to function. The answer to WHY is rooted in personal history and values, and is invariably interesting. That answer, rich in stories, experiences and convictions will be lost for good if the donor assumes no one is interested, if  successors don’t bother to ask and if its never discussed in conversation or a documented in an ethical will or expression of intent. What a loss!