Full Description
2025 Independent Publisher Book Awards Silver Medalist in Finance, Investment, and Economics
"An illuminating and inspiring introduction to an undercovered topic."
BookLife by Publishers Weekly
The Philanthropist Handbook: Finding Meaning in the Endowment of Humanity by Clay M. Grayson is a guide for those who wish to leave a lasting legacy through planned giving. Over the next twenty years, the Baby Boomer generation is expected to donate $12 trillion to nonprofits. With 80 percent of this giving expected to be made through their estate planning, this transfer of wealth to nonprofit organizations will transform American society in amazingly positive ways. Clay, a distinguished attorney in nonprofit law, shares his experience representing some of the largest and oldest nonprofit organizations in the United States to guide readers through the transformative power of charitable giving.
The book is divided into four parts, covering the historical role of philanthropy, the disciplines necessary for effective charitable giving, the evaluation of nonprofit organizations, and the creation of a personal philanthropic plan. Readers will find practical tools, detailed case studies, and actionable advice to maximize the impact of their giving.
By following the guidance in this handbook, you can learn to build trust-based relationships with nonprofits, understand the legal and financial aspects of charitable giving, and find your place in the continuum of human experience as a philanthropist in your own right. Ideal for donors, nonprofit professionals, and volunteers, The Philanthropist Handbook is an essential resource for anyone looking to make an enduring impact in this world. Embrace the power of charitable giving and transform your philanthropic vision into reality.
Contents
Preface
PART 1: The Philanthropic Role in Society
Chapter 1: Are You a Philanthropist?
Chapter 2: The Nonprofit in American Society
Chapter 3: Why Do Nonprofits Exist within Capitalism?
PART 2: Living Philanthropically
Chapter 4: Philanthropy as a Form of Self-Improvement
Chapter 5: The Discipline of Empathy
Chapter 6: The Ethics of Information and Truth
Chapter 7: The Discipline of Foresight
Chapter 8: How Does the Way of Philanthropy Assist You in Your Role as Philanthropist?
PART 3: The Aspirational Nonprofit
Chapter 9: Designing the Contemporary Nonprofit Organization
Chapter 10: Evaluating Nonprofit Organizations
Chapter 11: Assessing Organizational Learning—Nonprofit Leadership
Chapter 12: Assessing Institutional Knowledge—Internal Controls
Chapter 13: Objective Measures of Nonprofits
Chapter 14: Why Are Philanthropists Attracted to Endowments?
PART 4: Your Philanthropic Plan
Chapter 15: The Beaufort Fund
Chapter 16: Envisioning Your Philanthropic Plan
Chapter 17: Your Philanthropic Team
Chapter 18: Assets to Fund Your Philanthropic Plan
Chapter 19: The Format and Drafting of Your Plan
Chapter 20: Endowment Giving within Your Philanthropic Plan
Chapter 21: Your Message to the Future
Chapter 22: Why We Are Philanthropists
Afterword
