Creating a Charitable Legacy for When You Are Gone

This makes so much sense. And who wouldn’t have this concern? But the fact remains that it’s simply not always practical or optimal to donate all your charitable dollars in your lifetime. Sometimes a foundation, a donor advised fund, endowments, charitable trusts, or some combination of the like can be a good fit for the express reason that these vehicles often do have a life beyond that of the original donor.

So, if you’re interested in leaving a charitable legacy, how can you navigate the tension between these apparently conflicting concerns?

Start by clearly defining your charitable mission. If your plan calls for starting a private foundation, write your foundation’s mission definitively in your founding documents. Supplement your mission statement with a description of your preferences – what you like and don’t like in your charitable giving. Take advantage of technology and record a video to this effect.

Next, choose trustees and a team of financial and legal professionals who understand and generally agree with your own principles. Omit family members, friends and any professionals – including financial planners, accountants and lawyers – if they are not aligned with your viewpoints.

Then continue to work on your giving plan and make gifts and commitments while living. Use the experience to shape the future approach and objectives of your foundation after your death.

Instate procedures to appoint future trustees who share your principles, and have systems and policies in place to encourage future boards to consider a respect for donor intent as part of their fiduciary duty.

No amount of planning will guarantee that original donor intent – yours – will be fully maintained. Adverse and impossible-to-predict consequences that arise from trying to control too much down through too many years are a hallmark of failed legacy and estate planning. Often it begins with being too specific and inflexible out of the gate. But taking prudent and reasonable steps to make your ideal wishes and outcomes known can increase the odds you hit your legacy homerun.

This commentary originally appeared June 29 on thestreet.com.

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