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title: Could Your Business Outlive You?
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Plus, a book recommendation, inviting the next generation into purpose, and is the growth of DAFs changing philanthropy?  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­    ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  

| View in browser DAFs are Growing. Are they Changing Philanthropy?   Last month, Candid published a blog that our data-minded readers may find interesting: Do national DAF sponsors give differently than foundations?   The findings do show that donor advised funds (DAFs) are reshaping the charitable landscape: DAF giving grew from 10.3% of U.S. charitable giving in 2020 to 15.3% in 2024.     In digging deeper, a more nuanced question emerges: Are DAFs changing where charitable dollars go—or simply changing how donors get there?     The data suggests that, so far, much of DAF giving follows familiar patterns: “National DAF sponsors and foundations support similar causes overall, with notable differences for religion and health.” Those notable differences are significant: national DAF sponsors grant to religious causes at more than twice the rate of private foundations, while private foundations support health causes at about twice the rate of national DAF sponsors. REVIEW THE RESEARCH (candid.org) BOOK RECOMMENDATION: The River and The Garden   Often, the conversations we have about charitable giving can lean toward the technical and prescriptive. Sometimes, it helps to see wealth stewardship in action.   Published in June, The River and the Garden is a novel by Rachel McDonough that explores a more personal, descriptive side of one family’s journey as they follow head, heart, and spirit.   The River and the Garden is perfect for: The spouse who feels disengaged from the "numbers conversations" but cares deeply about impact, The next generation heir stepping into more responsibility than they've had language or training for, Any family that is technically aligned on paper but may not have talked about the purpose of building their wealth. We recently interviewed the author to learn about the inspiration behind the story and the impact she hopes it has: HEAR MORE FROM THE AUTHOR Inviting the Next Generation into Purpose   At its core, leaving a legacy is twofold: building now and stewarding what comes next. Inviting the next generation into generosity takes more than involving them in giving; it also means inviting them into a deeper sense of purpose.   Certain seasons in your kids’ or grandkids’ lives may demand more direct guidance as they face pivotal education and career decisions. One resource for discerning and pursuing meaningful careers that we have come to appreciate is Christians for Impact (CFI). CFI offers tools for young adults to explore calling, identify problems they feel drawn to address, and consider how their skills might be used for kingdom impact.   Consistent mentoring, along with tools like the ones provided by CFI, can help the next generation understand that generosity is not only about the wealth we have or where we give. It is about how we live and what we do with all that we have been given.   EXPLORE TOOLS (christiansforimpact.org) Could Your Business Outlive You? For many business owners, an exit marks the end of one chapter. But what if it could also begin a new one—one that continues creating impact for generations?   One familiar option is donating a portion of a business to a donor advised fund (DAF) before a sale. When structured appropriately, this can turn part of an ownership interest into a charitable asset while potentially reducing capital gains taxes.     Another approach involves donating the whole business to a trust or nonprofit that will continue to operate the business, with profits funding charitable causes.    PBS recently highlighted the story of Eddie Smith of Grady-White Boats (Greenville, NC), who placed the business in a trust. You can read more about his decision and the inspiration behind it here.     If preserving values is an important part of your exit, consider involving a Christian nonprofit, such as The Signatry, in a long-term hold of the business.    This strategy may be less common than donating an interest before a sale, but it could be an important conversation to explore with your leadership team, tax professional, financial advisor, and family.   Build in community Do you have friends and colleagues who share your vision for stewardship? Invite them to join The Bottom Line & Beyond. SHARE THIS LINK Find The Signatry online: The Bottom Line and Beyond is a publication of The Signatry 7171 W 95th St, Suite 501 Overland Park, KS 66212 (913) 310-0279 You are receiving this email because you are subscribed to The Bottom Line & Beyond newsletter. Manage Preferences   Copyright © 2026 The Signatry, All rights reserved.     This does not constitute nor does The Signatry provide legal, tax, financial or other professional advice. You should consult professional advisors concerning the legal, tax, or financial consequences of your charitable activities. |
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