Episode 86: Give More and Keep More With Your 2024 Strategic Giving Guide

Ready to explore the latest in tech careers and financial insights? Click here now for an eye-opening journey at http://www.managingtechmillions.com/!

Host: Christopher Nelson

Guest: James Harrington, CEO of the Ugandan Water Project

In this episode of Managing Tech Millions, James Harrington, CEO of the Ugandan Water Project, shares valuable insights into how high-net-worth individuals can strategically maximize their charitable giving while also benefiting financially.

James discusses how to vet nonprofits effectively, the advantages of giving from your balance sheet instead of your income statement, and the power of donor-advised funds.

James has been at the helm of the Ugandan Water Project, a nonprofit dedicated to providing clean, sustainable water to communities in Uganda. Throughout this conversation, he emphasizes the importance of transparency, evaluating nonprofit organizations, and strategically giving appreciated assets for greater tax efficiency.

Connect with James Harrington

https://ugandanwaterproject.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesbharrington/

In this episode, we talk about:

• Giving from Your Balance Sheet – James explains the benefits of donating appreciated assets like stocks or real estate, rather than giving cash, to maximize your charitable impact while reducing taxes.
• How to Vet Nonprofits – James shares three critical questions to ask when evaluating a nonprofit: What is their goal? How do they measure progress? How is their progress tracking?
• Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) – Learn how DAFs allow donors to contribute to charities more efficiently, providing tax benefits while maintaining flexibility in donations.
• Lead Gifts and Amplifying Impact – Strategic giving, including lead gifts, can inspire other donations and partnerships, exponentially increasing your contribution’s effectiveness.
• The Role of Nonprofit Transparency – Understanding the financials and leadership of nonprofits ensures your donation makes a real difference. James highlights the importance of reviewing the 990 forms and working with evaluators like Charity Navigator.

Episode Timeline:

• [00:01:30] Introduction to strategic charitable giving
• [00:05:00] How to evaluate nonprofits effectively
• [00:10:15] The power of giving appreciated assets
• [00:12:40] Leveraging donor-advised funds (DAFs) for more efficient giving
• [00:17:05] Using lead gifts to activate further donations
• [00:20:30] Understanding nonprofit transparency and financials
• [00:25:00] Networking and continuous learning in philanthropy