Invest in Charity: A Donor's Guide to Charitable Giving

Investing in Charity: A Donor's Guide to Charitable GivingBy Ron Jordan and Katelyn L. QuynnJohn Wiley and Sons, Inc. 2001Reviewed by Norman Olshansky: President NFP Consulting Resources, Inc. Sarasota, Florida If you are looking for a resource that explains the various methods of charitable giving and can be used to help donors (or beginning development professionals) determine which is the best approach or instrument for their personal use, "Investing in Charity" can be a most helpful addition to your library.The authors promote the book by claiming it is written for modest as well as wealthy donors. Personally, I believe this book can best be used to help donors who are considering "major" gifts or who plan to make a large number of significant gifts. The book can help them determine how to maximize the impact of their giving for their favorite charities and themselves. Even though the introductory chapters on donor motivation, selecting a charity and how charities function are too simplistic for a major donor, the rest of the book can be very valuable as it relates to the various methods of giving.I especially liked the way the authors go into detail on planned gifts, trusts, and annuities. They give excellent explanations of the variety, benefits and liabilities of each method, from the perspective of the charity and the donor. The sections on tax implications are also presented in clear and helpful terms.Equally helpful, are their chapters on Private Foundations, Supporting Organizations and Donor-Advised Philanthropic Funds.Planned giving, estate planning, trusts, gifts of closely held stock, gifts of non cash assets, insurance, etc. can be complicated and overwhelming. Helping a potential donor understand how they work and the benefits of these instruments could turn, what would have been a 5 figure gift, into a 6 or 7 figure gift.Each chapter ends with a helpful checklist and series of questions which can help direct the donor to the sources contained therein. In addition, examples are given of specific language which can be used for those who want to deed property or make testamentary gifts. Helpful information is also given on the use of charitable giving as a tool to enhance retirement planning.An extensive index at the end, adds to the usefulness of the book as a resource guide.This book will get good use in my library. I give it 4 stars.