If you are donating to worthy causes, I am guessing you’ve asked yourself whether to give it all away in your lifetime, or over a set period of time. This is what’s called “spending down” in philanthropic circles. This month Sybil is going to investigate the right conditions to spend down, versus the benefits of investing your assets so that you keep giving to the cause you care about in perpetuity. Whether one of these strategies is better than the other is hotly debated in philanthropic circles. Sybil works with both types of philanthropic clients - the spend-down kind and the in-perpetuity kind - and she is here to tell you that there is no one right way here, just a series of pros and cons depending on how you want to show up for the cause you care about and the nonprofits you support.

There is already a lot of material out there that discusses the issue of spending down but most of it is too strident about one way that is the “right” way to go. That’s why Sybil is entering the fray to talk overall about the pros and cons so you can decide for yourself what’s best for you.

Episode Highlights:

• Top two indications you may be leaning towards an in-perpetuity strategy.

• Top two indications you may instead be leaning towards a spend-down strategy.

• When to choose an in-perpetuity strategy

• When to choose a spend-down strategy

Sybil Ackerman-Munson Bio:

With over 20 years of experience as a nonprofit professional and foundation advisor, I work with philanthropic institutions and foundations interested in successful, high-impact grant making, so you can make a true and lasting positive contribution to the world on your terms.

Links:

• New Your Times Article of Interest https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/12/giving/12SPEND.html 

• The reasons for spending down from the Ivey Foundation https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-ivey-foundation-endowment-climate-change/

• Beyond the 5% report https://ncg.org/sites/default/files/resources/Beyond_5%25_Report.pdf

• SD Bechtel Jr Foundation, Setting the Course https://www.ncfp.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Sooner-Rather-Than-Later_-Chapter-1-Bechtel-2019.pdf

• Geo Blog, What does it take to spend down successfully https://www.geofunders.org/resources/what-does-it-take-to-spend-down-successfully-669

If you enjoyed this episode, listen to these as well:

https://www.doyourgood.com/blog/69-patton-mcdowell

https://www.doyourgood.com/blog/109-why-people-give

https://www.doyourgood.com/blog/110-Laura-MacDonald

Crack the Code: Sybil’s Successful Guide to Philanthropy

Become even better at what you do as Sybil teaches you the strategies as well as the tools, you’ll need to avoid mistakes and make a career out of philanthropy through my new course, Crack the Code!

In this new course, you’ll gain access to beautifully animated and filmed engaging videos, and many more! 

• Link for the wait list for the Philanthropy Accelerator 

https://www.doyourgood.com/Philanthropy-Accelerator-Mastermind-Waitlist

• Link to the nonprofit email sign-up to connect 

https://www.doyourgood.com/ticket-to-fundraising

• Check out her website with all the latest opportunities to learn from Sybil at 

www.doyourgood.com. 

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Would you like to talk with Sybil directly?

Send in your inquiries through her website https://www.doyourgood.com/ or you can email her directly at [email protected]!