As Charles Dickens once wrote, “The year-end brings no greater pleasure than the opportunity to express to you season’s greetings and good wishes. May your holidays and new year be filled with joy.” While I would never presume to edit Dickens’s words, they feel incomplete for me without adding the pleasure of embracing and expressing […]

With the end of the current calendar year fast approaching, charitable tax planning is top of mind for many individuals. This topic is particularly timely in 2025, due to several provisions in the federal tax legislation enacted by Congress in July that impact charitable giving. Some of these provisions will apply beginning in 2026—creating opportunities to […]

R. Sanders “Sandy” Williams, MD and his wife, Jennifer Scheid Williams, PA-BHS  To commemorate the 50th reunion of his Duke University School of Medicine class, R. Sanders “Sandy” Williams, MD’74, HS’77-’80, P’09 and Jennifer Scheid Williams, PA-BHS’74, P’09, made a $1 million commitment to establish the Williams-Wallace Biomedical Research Fund in honor of their friends […]

Donor Advised Funds (DAF) are charitable investment accounts that allow donors to contribute funds and receive an immediate tax deduction. The funds are then invested and grow tax-free while donors recommend grants to qualified charities on their own timeline.  There are some restrictions on what DAFs can fund — for instance, donors can’t receive a […]

On July 4, 2025, the federal “One Big Beautiful Bill” was signed into law. The legislation includes several provisions related to charitable giving and other tax updates, with some changes taking effect in 2025 and others in 2026. Highlights include: Key Tax Changes Charitable Donations – Opportunities and Challenges (Starting in 2026) Planning strategies to […]

August is National Make a Will Month. We previously shared why having a will is important. If you don’t already have a will or revocable trust in place, now is the time to make arrangements! You can start by making a list of all the assets you own — bank accounts, cryptocurrency accounts, investments, life […]

With a father who was a steward’s mate in the Navy Reserve and a high-achieving mother who was valedictorian of her high school class, Clarence Maxie “Max” Templeton III ‘71 says his parents encouraged him to always excel. And the family’s shared value of achievement and dedication provided a strong foundation for young Max when […]

When economic conditions shift, so do the tools individuals use for long-term financial planning and decision-making. In the current economic climate, factors like rising inflation and increased cost-of-living expenses are driving new conversations with donors seeking charitable solutions. One strategy gaining traction in recent months involves the testamentary charitable remainder unitrust (CRUT). Testamentary CRUTs are […]

In May, more than 150 alumni and friends of Duke gathered at the Washington Duke Inn in Durham for the annual Tower Society Luncheon—an event that celebrates those who have chosen to support the university’s future with a gift through their estate or other long-term plans. The event featured remarks by Dr. Walter Sinnott-Armstrong, Chauncey […]

As the possibility of a recession looms, there has been a lot of uncertainty in virtually every sector of the current economic landscape, including that of philanthropy. Recent market volatility poses concern for many individuals in terms of their giving to the institutions and charitable organizations they love.   While nonprofit leaders consider creative strategies to […]