Hi, you're receiving this email because you've expressed an interest in Watermark in person or on LinkedIn. Add sharilyn@watermarkpc.com to your address book to ensure we land in your inbox. Alternately, you may unsubscribe below anytime. | |
|
Watermark launches PowerBoard©
Governance counsel for foundations, families, and charities has always been core to Watermark offerings. And now, it is even more accessible to realize the benefits of what good governance makes possible - for you, your mission, and your constituencies.
PowerBoard is a platform that speaks to your governance needs, challenges, and opportunities, today and as you plan for the future. Role confusion, disengagement, transition, or transformation, we can help:
-
Board Kickstart is for foundations just getting started and wanting to get it right the first time
-
Board Check-up is a 5-domain governance assessment experience to help your board's growth and development
-
Board Builder enhances the capacity of your board through director education opportunities, strategic counsel, and facilitated conversations and retreats; and
-
Board Wizard provides skilled hands-on foundation board management, coordination, and administration
Most simply, governance is how groups of people (in organizations or families) organize themselves to make decisions together and be accountable. But it is not always simple. Watermark has what you need for the governance you want. Let's talk.
| |
|
Women, Philanthropy and
Wealth Stewardship
As wealth holders and creators, women's influence in philanthropy is increasing with many women, and their advisors, understanding that an intentional approach to philanthropy is part of a comprehensive wealth stewardship strategy.
Drawing from her experience working with women philanthropists, Sharilyn shared some insights on this topic in Giving with purpose: the why, who, what, and how of philanthropic giving, in Minerva, an initiative of Burgundy Asset Management to increase women's financial knowledge and confidence.
We're happy to share the full issue which is jam-packed with great resources for women navigating generational wealth - from philanthropy (see page 29), to family business succession, exploring your wealth identity, and estate planning.
| |
|
It's Not About the Money:
Philanthropy, Purpose & Family Well-being
The family wealth advisory landscape is changing, and so too must philanthropy counsel. Developed by Dr. Dennis Jaffe, Dr. Jim Grubman, and Kristin Keffler, Wealth 3.0 advocates for a more nuanced view of wealth as a complex opportunity for families, rejecting negative tropes about 'shirtsleeves-to-shirtsleeves' and the preservation of capital at all costs. Rather, it puts a family's well-being at the centre, creating opportunities for meaningful conversations about purpose and the purposeful use of capital.
Philanthropy and purpose go hand in hand. Recently published in Trusts & Estates Magazine, Watermark has reflected on what Wealth 3.0 means for philanthropy counsel, and the possibilities that result for client families and communities. Learn more about our approach to working with families.
| |
|
Living and Giving in a Polarized World
We are in a time of increasing polarization - political, ideological, economic, cultural, and religious. It is happening in countries, communities, and sadly, even within families. Polarization divides us into factions, assigns grave moral judgement upon others, and eliminates any opportunity for dialogue, bridge-building and growth - unless there is the guarantee the 'other' side will come over to ours. We must find a better way, and philanthropy can be part of the answer.
For funders and generous families grappling with these challenging dynamics, Philanthropic Foundations Canada has produced Productive Dialogue in a Polarized World: A Resource Guide. Organized thematically, the guide helps to unpack the issues, offers practical tools to engage with others and navigate conflict, and how to build greater resilience in ourselves and our communities.
In practice, the Toronto Public Library has been a stalwart in defense of intellectual freedom and building civic capacity. Their On Civil Society program challenges opinions, explores differences and encourages learning through civil discourse. It has been funded significantly (and anonymously) by a long-time Watermark client who believes the freedom to engage in respectful dialogue is necessary for us to understand each other and safeguard our democracy. Let Watermark help you navigate giving in a polarized world.
| |
Sharilyn's Spring List
Resources to support givers, board directors, and advisors
Governance excellence and the board/CEO relationship for foundations and charities, Dr. Sharilyn Hale, Carleton University, PANL Perspectives, March 2024.
High Net Worth & UHNW Philanthropy: Skilled Advisors and Generous Families, WealthInsurance interview, April 2024
Edelman Trust Barometer 2024
2024 Giving Report: From disconnection to collective action, Canada Helps, 2024.
Spending pathways for foundations, Definity Foundation in The Philanthropist, 2024.
| |
|
YOUR PHILANTHROPY MATTERS.
Strategy - Family Engagement - Governance
Serving leading philanthropists, generous families, and social purpose organizations, across North America and the Caribbean, Watermark helps those who give, give well, engage their families, and channel their wealth and influence for good.
Contact Dr. Sharilyn Hale for a confidential exploration of your needs.
| | | | |
