Money to Give

What can thousands of estate plans teach us about life, death, and what truly matters? In this thought-provoking episode of Money to Give, Rick Peck sits down with Eli Angote, founder of The Best Notary, to explore the deeper human lessons revealed through estate planning. After working with families across thousands of legacy plans, Eli shares how estate planning is far less about money or assets than most people think. Instead, it becomes a reflection of relationships, love, trust, and the desire to protect the people we care about long after we are gone. From healthcare directives to legacy letters and final wishes, these documents often serve as deeply personal messages to the next generation.

Rick and Eli also dive into broader reflections on service, wealth, and the meaning of legacy. Eli shares how reading The Denial of Death reshaped his understanding of why humans pursue wealth, fame, or power and how service to others can provide a far more meaningful legacy. They discuss lessons from legendary fundraiser Hank Rosso, the power of persistence, and how intentional relationships can shape our impact in the world. The conversation closes with Eli’s concept of Soju Wede, inspired by the African philosophy of Sankofa, encouraging us to learn from the past, embrace our mortality, and use our wealth financial, social, and spiritual to create a more just and compassionate future.

If you have ever wondered what estate planning reveals about human priorities, or how our lives and relationships define the legacy we leave behind, this episode offers a powerful and philosophical perspective.



Contact Rick Peck:
Website: https://www.thephilanthropyguy.com
Email: [email protected]
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LinkedIn: Richard Peck

Contact Eli Angote:
Read more about Eli's work: https://thebestnotary.net/team/
LinkedIn: elijahka

In this episode of Money to Give, Rick Peck sits down with behavioral health expert Tym Rourke for a timely and deeply important conversation about mental illness, substance use, and the systems that shape recovery in the United States. Tym explains why these issues have been at a crisis point for years, how stigma has kept too many people suffering in silence, and why the pandemic only intensified what was already happening beneath the surface. He also breaks down what actually works in behavioral health care, highlighting the essential roles of prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and long-term recovery support. This episode offers a practical and compassionate framework for anyone trying to better understand one of the most urgent challenges facing families and communities today.

Rick and Tym also explore where philanthropy can make the greatest difference and where donors should be cautious about placing their dollars. Rather than simply paying for treatment that insurance should already cover, Tym explains why funders can be especially impactful by supporting prevention efforts, recovery organizations, harm reduction work, policy advocacy, workforce capacity, and the wraparound services that help people stay stable and well. They also discuss how government, insurers, and policymakers influence access to care, and why professional advisors can play a powerful role in helping donors give strategically in this space. If you have ever wondered how to move beyond stigma and fund what truly helps, this episode gives you a thoughtful place to start.



Contact Rick Peck:
Website: https://www.thephilanthropyguy.com
Email: [email protected]
Book A call: Rick Peck's Calendar
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LinkedIn: Richard Peck

What if there were a charitable giving strategy that allowed donors to support nonprofits consistently, unlock immediate tax benefits, and still retain more flexibility than many traditional giving tools offer? In this episode of Money to Give, Rick Peck sits down with charitable planning attorney Brad Gornto to unpack the iCLAT, a simplified version of the charitable lead annuity trust that can be a powerful fit for donors, advisors, and nonprofits alike. Brad explains why this often-overlooked planning tool deserves more attention and how it can help donors who already give annually or are preparing to make significant multi-year charitable commitments.

Rick and Brad explore how the iCLAT works in practical terms, why it can be especially attractive in years when donors face a spike in taxable income, and how it differs from donor-advised fund “bunching” strategies. They also discuss why this vehicle can be useful for CPAs, wealth advisors, trust and estates attorneys, community foundations, and nonprofit professionals who want to bring more value to their donor conversations. If you have ever wondered whether there is a more tax-efficient way to structure charitable giving without sacrificing donor control or nonprofit benefit, this episode offers a clear and accessible introduction to a tool more people should know about.



Contact Rick Peck:
Website: https://www.thephilanthropyguy.com
Email: [email protected]
Book A call: Rick Peck's Calendar
Sign Up For Charitable Giving Newsletter: Charitable Giving Newsletter
LinkedIn: Richard Peck

Contact Brad Gornto:
Website: iclat.net
Email: [email protected]

Why do people give to charity and what truly motivates them to make a difference? In this episode of Money to Give, Rick Peck speaks with Matt Coleman, Executive Director of Giving Multiplier and researcher at Harvard University, about the psychology behind charitable giving. Drawing from behavioral science and experimental psychology, Matt explains how emotional connection, social influence, and the “warm glow” of giving shape donor behavior. The conversation explores why giving decisions often differ from other financial choices like investing or purchasing products, and why donors frequently rely on instinct and personal stories rather than measurable impact.

Rick and Matt also dive into how charitable effectiveness is assessed and why some organizations can be dramatically more impactful than others. They discuss the surprising gap between typical charities and highly effective ones, the challenge donors face when balancing emotional connection with data-driven impact, and how psychological research inspired the creation of Giving Multiplier a platform designed to help donors support causes they love while also funding some of the most effective charities in the world. If you’ve ever wondered how to balance the “head versus heart” dilemma in philanthropy, this episode offers a fascinating look at the motivations that drive generosity and how donors can make their giving go further.


Contact Rick Peck:
Website: https://www.thephilanthropyguy.com
Email: [email protected]
Book A call: Rick Peck's Calendar
Sign Up For Charitable Giving Newsletter: Charitable Giving Newsletter
LinkedIn: Richard Peck

Contact Matt Coleman:
Website: We match donations to the charities of your choice | Giving Multiplier

Donor-advised funds now hold nearly $250 billion in charitable assets, yet they continue to spark debate about transparency, accessibility, and how quickly money is reaching nonprofits. In this episode of Money to Give, Rick Peck talks with Alexis Miller of Endowment about how donor-advised funds are evolving and why new technology-driven models are attracting a different kind of donor. From crypto donations to digital assets to lower-barrier DAF models, Alexis explains how philanthropy is shifting to meet the expectations of younger, more tech-savvy givers.

Rick and Alexis also explore how wealth managers, nonprofits, and philanthropic professionals can better respond to these emerging trends. They discuss why transparency matters more than ever, how blockchain and digital infrastructure are influencing donor behavior, and what it means to make giving more engaging, flexible, and accessible. If you have ever wondered how crypto fits into charitable giving, why donor-advised funds continue to grow, or how the next generation of donors is changing philanthropy, this conversation offers an insightful look at where the sector may be headed next.



Contact Rick Peck:
Website: https://www.thephilanthropyguy.com
Email: [email protected]
Book A call: Rick Peck's Calendar
Sign Up For Charitable Giving Newsletter: Charitable Giving Newsletter
LinkedIn: Richard Peck

Too many nonprofits approach donors with a relentless cycle of asks, unintentionally turning what should be a meaningful relationship into something that feels purely transactional. In this episode of Money to Give, Rick Peck talks with author, fundraising coach, and major donor Lisa Greer about what happens when nonprofits focus too much on the next gift and not enough on the donor experience. Drawing from her own perspective as a major donor, Lisa shares how frustrating it can be when organizations fail to build authentic relationships, overlook new donors, and treat generosity like an automatic withdrawal instead of a true partnership.

Rick and Lisa explore why traditional fundraising methods are becoming unsustainable, especially as nonprofits continue to rely on a shrinking pool of familiar donors while missing opportunities to engage new generations of supporters. They discuss the importance of thanking donors well, creating real human connection, and rethinking fundraising culture so donors feel seen, valued, and inspired to stay involved over the long term. If your organization wants to move from short-term transactions to stronger, more lasting donor relationships, this episode offers a powerful and timely perspective.



Contact Rick Peck:
Website: https://www.thephilanthropyguy.com
Email: [email protected]
Book A call: Rick Peck's Calendar
Sign Up For Charitable Giving Newsletter: Charitable Giving Newsletter
LinkedIn: Richard Peck

Contact Lisa Greer:
Website: Lisa Greer
Books: Philanthropy Revolution and The Essential Fundraiser’s Handbook

Community foundations exist in nearly every region of the United States, yet many people still struggle to explain what they actually do. In this episode of Money to Give, Rick Peck sits down with Chris Beach of the Minneapolis Foundation to explore the powerful role community foundations play in connecting donors, nonprofits, and communities. Chris explains how these institutions act as trusted hubs for civic conversation, helping individuals, families, and companies understand the most pressing local challenges and direct philanthropic resources where they can make the greatest impact.

The conversation also dives into the rapid rise of donor-advised funds and how they are reshaping philanthropy. Chris shares his vision for helping donors move beyond simply giving money away toward deeper engagement with community needs. By encouraging listening, learning, and collaboration, community foundations can unlock billions of dollars for meaningful local change. If you’ve ever wondered how community foundations operate or how they can help transform charitable giving this episode offers an insightful look at the future of community-driven philanthropy.



Contact Rick Peck:
Website: https://www.thephilanthropyguy.com
Email: [email protected]
Book A call: Rick Peck's Calendar
Sign Up For Charitable Giving Newsletter: Charitable Giving Newsletter
LinkedIn: Richard Peck

Contact Chris Beach:
Website: www.minneapolisfoundation.org

As the expiring tax cuts of 2025 draw closer, the nonprofit sector faces growing uncertainty about what Congress may do next. In this episode of Money to Give, Rick Peck sits down with federal policy consultant and tax lobbyist Sara Barba to unpack why this coming round of tax reform could have major consequences for charities, foundations, and donors alike. With deficits and debt weighing heavily on lawmakers, Sara explains why Washington may be looking for new sources of revenue and why philanthropy could end up in the crosshairs.

Rick and Sara explore how the political environment heading into 2025 differs from the pro-growth mindset that shaped the 2017 tax law, why many members of Congress still lack a strong understanding of what the charitable sector actually does, and how tax changes could affect incentives for giving. Sara also offers a practical look at what nonprofits, donors, and sector leaders can do now to educate lawmakers, build relationships, and advocate for policies that protect charitable giving. If you want a clearer picture of the risks and realities facing philanthropy in the next chapter of tax reform, this conversation is an important place to start.


Contact Rick Peck:
Website: https://www.thephilanthropyguy.com
Email: [email protected]
Book A call: Rick Peck's Calendar
Sign Up For Charitable Giving Newsletter: Charitable Giving Newsletter
LinkedIn: Richard Peck

Contact Sara Barba:
Website: integerpolicy.com/philanthropy-policy/ 
Email: [email protected]

Over the next two decades, an estimated $84 trillion will pass from baby boomers and the silent generation to younger generations in what experts are calling the Great Wealth Transfer. This historic shift will impact families, tax policy, charitable giving, and the future of philanthropy itself. In this episode of Money to Give, Rick Peck speaks with policy and philanthropy expert Sandra Swirsky to explore how this massive transfer of wealth could reshape the charitable landscape.

Sandra shares insights from the front lines of Washington, D.C., where tax policy, estate planning, and philanthropy intersect. She explains how upcoming tax law changes in 2025, growing bipartisan scrutiny of wealth and charitable vehicles, and the looming challenges of federal deficits and entitlement programs could influence how wealth is distributed between families, charities, and government. The conversation also highlights why nonprofits and donors should be paying close attention now band what actions they can take to prepare for the policy debates ahead.

If the Great Wealth Transfer represents one of the largest financial shifts in history, the question becomes: How much of it will strengthen philanthropy and how much will be redirected elsewhere? This episode offers a timely look at the forces shaping that answer.



Contact Rick Peck:
Website: https://www.thephilanthropyguy.com
Email: [email protected]
Book A call: Rick Peck's Calendar
Sign Up For Charitable Giving Newsletter: Charitable Giving Newsletter
LinkedIn: Richard Peck

Asking a donor for the wrong amount can leave fundraisers with a lingering sense of regret. Ask for too much, and the conversation may feel awkward or unrealistic. Ask for too little, and nonprofits risk leaving significant resources on the table or worse, signaling that their ambitions are smaller than their mission demands. In this episode of Money to Give, Rick Peck sits down with veteran fundraising strategist Larry Raff to explore one of the most persistent challenges in philanthropy: determining the right amount to ask a major donor for a transformational gift.

Larry shares the thinking behind the Abacus Major Donor Ask Calculator, a tool designed to turn donor research into confident, data-informed gift requests. Drawing on more than four decades of advancement experience, Larry explains why traditional wealth screening tools often fall short, how personal bias influences fundraising decisions, and why many organizations unknowingly undersell their biggest opportunities. The conversation also highlights how more accurate ask amounts can strengthen donor relationships, improve campaign planning, and help nonprofits avoid the costly mistakes of guesswork. If you want to approach major gift conversations with greater confidence and precision, this episode offers a fascinating look at the science behind the art of fundraising.


Contact Rick Peck:
Website: https://www.thephilanthropyguy.com
Email: [email protected]
Book A call: Rick Peck's Calendar
Sign Up For Charitable Giving Newsletter: Charitable Giving Newsletter
LinkedIn: Richard Peck

Contact Larry Raff:
Website: Donor Abacus | Make Every Ask Count