The Art of Giving: Where the Soul Meets a Business Plan by Charles Bronfman, Jeffrey R. Solomon, John Sedgwick

Synopsis

A unique guide to finding purpose, meaning, and results in the complex world of charitable giving

In this definitive guide, world-renowned philanthropist Charles Bronfman and lifelong expert and nonprofit leader Jeffrey Solomon show donors and potential donors how to become street-smart, effective philanthropists.

Despite their critical importance to philanthropy, donors have few resources for solid information—deciding what type of gift to give, how to structure it, the tax implications, what level of follow-up and transparency they should expect, among many other complexities. With candid, clear advice, this book fills that vacuum and helps anyone gain a special understanding of philanthropy as a business undertaking as well as a soulful process. It also shows nonprofits how to open a dialogue with the donors they serve to make smart, meaningful choices with their funds to create change.

Comprised of three key sections—The Donor, The Partners, and The Gift—The Art of Giving offers reflective questions, logistical answers, and endless resources to create a business plan for giving that works for you, regardless of income level. By exploring the differences between charity and philanthropy, the complexities of nonprofits, and the tools for making a thoughtful donation—as well as your own passions, concerns, and timeline—you will be better informed, able to confidently articulate your own interests, passions, and giving needs, and know the right questions to ask.

Whether you are a potential donor, active donor, or a nonprofit professional working with donors, The Art of Giving reveals how the act of giving benefits not only the recipient but also oneself.

Library Journal

Bronfman and Solomon (founder and president, respectively, Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies) set out to create an approach to philanthropy for everyone. They do not recommend which organizations to donate to but instead present strategies to help philanthropists pinpoint what types of organizations are most meaningful to them, determine what level of involvement they want, and help them plan their giving better. The authors begin by differentiating philanthropy, which they see as a new way of giving, from charity, which they see as the old way of giving. They then present three sections, "The Donor," "The Partners," and "The Gift," providing relevant examples on the topic, mostly from their own experiences. The fourth part of the book is an extensive list of resources on nonprofits that includes descriptions of organizations and their web sites. VERDICT The authors' straightforward explanations, particularly of types of gifts, help make their complicated topic simpler to understand. The book will provide some food for thought for anyone considering making charitable donations.—Elizabeth Nelson, UOP Lib., Des Plaines, IL

Biography

Charles Bronfman, of the Seagram's corporate family, is the founder of the Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies. He was cochairman of Seagram's, the founding owner of the Montreal Expos, and former chairman of Koor Industries Ltd., as well as chairman of the Montreal Jewish Federation and the first chairman of the United Jewish Communities. Among his many philanthropic duties, Bronfman sits on the boards of Mount Sinai Medical Center and Brandeis University.

Jeffrey Solomon is president of the Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies. He has taught the subject of philanthropy at New York University and has served on numerous nonprofit boards, including the Council on Foundations, where he chaired the Committeeon Ethics and Practice. Solomon has been chief operating officer of the United Jewish Appeal Federation in New York, and he is a founding trustee of the World Faiths Development Dialogue.