We are seeing many more living donors from all walks of life. Community foundations like Cleveland's are the fastest-growing element of philanthropy in America today. For those plunging into philanthropy for the first time, allying with community foundations offers distinct advantages. And foundation staffs often have knowledge of local agencies and the ability to negotiate many of the legal and bureaucratic tangles required in maintaining charitable trusts. Other philanthropists are exploring private family foundations.
Every drop counts.
And small donors make a difference. Researchers see potential for an even more explosive growth in charitable giving thanks to the estates of older Americans who lived through a half century of record prosperity. Many Americans have been taken by surprise by the amount of wealth they have accumulated. Chatman began to reflect on the purpose of accumulating money. The answer, Chatman found, was to spend the money forging the kind of relationship he had with his Uncle Sy.