Topic: Wealth and the Family: Asking Essential Questions
On February 2, Charles Collier, Senior Philanthropic Advisor at Harvard University will speak to our community at a morning workshop at the University of Richmond’s Jepson Alumni Center. His appearance presents an unusual opportunity for development professionals at every level in small or large shops to step back from the day-to-day challenges of fundraising and to focus on what truly motivates philanthropy at every level.
Collier is widely recognized as the foremost authority on the vital importance of understanding underlying family and personal values as the foundation of philanthropy. His message and examples are worthwhile for every nonprofit organization, especially those which hope to encourage even greater continuous support. Perhaps more immediately, his insights are the ultimate expression of donor-centered fundraising and are invaluable for any fundraising professional intending to develop a full skill set needed in today’s environment.
What truly motivates donors to give? Do we understand our donors’ values and do they mesh well with our organizational values and mission? Is their philanthropy rooted in a broader set of personal and family values that might be the basis for even greater support in the future? Is one’s philanthropy in some way “transferrable” to other family members or might these values become embedded in the next generation or in personal foundations? What might children learn for the philanthropic actions of the parents? What can the nonprofit community do to encourage cross-generational giving? All of these are among the issues and questions addressed in Collier’s presentation.
Take advantage of special cost savings for the workshop by registering more than one person from your organization. This invaluable program will not only benefit you, but also your CEO, board members, and other representatives from your “team.” Don’t come alone!
Speaker: Charles W. Collier, Senior Philanthropic Adviser, Harvard University
Charles W. Collier has worked with hundreds of individuals to shape their philanthropy, help them make tax-wise gift decisions, and advise them on family relationship issues surrounding wealth. He serves on the committee on the Emotional and Psychological Issues in Estate Planning of the American Bar Association. Mr. Collier holds a BA from Dartmouth College and an MTS from Harvard Divinity School. He completed the postgraduate course on family systems theory at the Bowen Center for the study of the Family. A second edition of his book, Wealth in Families, was published by Harvard University in 2006.
Schedule:
- 8:30 a.m. Registration & Continental Breakfast
- 8:55 a.m. Welcome and Introduction
- 9:00 a.m. The “Simmons” Case Study
- Review the anxiety around family and money
- Who spoiled the children?
- Discuss adult children as co-trustees
- 9:30–9:45 a.m. Breakout Conversations
- 9:45 a.m. Explore the Family System
- Family, difficult topics, and control
- Family sensitivity to others
- “Individuality” and “Togetherness”
- “Triangles” and “Cut-off”
- 10:30 a.m. Break
- 10:45 a.m. Revisit the “Simmons” Case
- How has your thinking changed?
- 10:55 a.m. The Art of Questions
- Questions as intervention
- Discuss ten questions
- Client decision-making
- Benefits of family meetings
- 11:25–11:45 a.m. Breakout Conversations
- 11:45 a..m. –12:00 p.m. Question & Answer
- 12:00 p.m. Lunch Distribution
- 12:15 p.m. Asking Essential Questions: An Interview with Wesley Wright, Jr.
- This discussion between Mr. Collier and Mr. Wright, a volunteer fundraiser, will demonstrate this new context for engaging the family in its decision-making
- 1:00 p.m. Adjourn
Location: Jepson Alumni Center at the University of Richmond. Click here for directions.
Menu: Box Lunches will be available.
Cost to attend: $50 for members, $75 for the first guest and $65 for additional guests from the same organization. Fee includes workshop, which qualifies for 2.75 hours of CFRE continuing education points, continental breakfast and lunch.
Fees support program costs and administration. Registrations should be received by Thursday, January 28th.
Questions? Contact VAFRE Administrator Mary Kidd at (804) 288-2950 or by e-mail to vafre@catapult-inc.com.
To register, follow the link above or click here for a printable version of the registration that can be faxed or mailed in.
