Why I Choose to Become a CAP

That's a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy?

I still remember taking a client through the process of making a grant from her new donor advised fund. As she completed the final step, she paused and said, “That felt so good.” It sure did. As an advisor, it feels great seeing others achieve meaningful goals. It’s why we do what we do.

Purpose and significance

To be valuable as an advisor on charitable planning is more than just helping people give money away. Or even assuring them that they can afford to do so. The real value is in creating conversations of discovery, which lead to greater inspiration and purpose.

The word “philanthropy” comes from the Greek roots love and mankind, so philanthropy is a “love of mankind.” That describes the intention behind the giving we see. It surely describes mine.

There are many starting points to a giving journey. Many people are motivated by a desire to “give back.” They feel grateful and even indebted to their alma mater (or other institution) for having an impact on their life’s course. Others are called to “pay it forward.” Inspired by someone they can never repay, they help others like they were once helped. Yet others see themselves as active investors. They use their money, and maybe their time and talent, to achieve significant impact.

For some, this discovery process is simple. They know what they want to do and are ready to begin the financial planning. For others, exploring their motivations is just a beginning. They might be inspired in multiple ways and seek greater clarity and focus. At this point, we invite them to find their “why” – to peel back the onion – to discover their core values and vision.

 “The alignment of one’s passion to one’s giving is often elusive, but worth the search,” Peter Karoff once said. “The reward is that your giving becomes the best possible articulation of your core values and belief system and at the same time becomes a direct link to those issues you deem to be of greatest significance.”

This search – for passion, values, causes, and desired impact – opens our hearts and reveals a unique path on which we can begin with ambition.

Karoff also described what’s called the Philanthropic Learning Curve, where people begin by becoming a donor (to say “just a donor” would be to miss the point). They might then become more organized, more informed, and more focused on results. Ultimately, philanthropy can become the most satisfying aspect of their lives. Our role, as advisors, is to let clients know that there is such a learning curve and take their lead on how they’d like to navigate it.

Putting plans into action is, in many ways, the fun part. It’s great to work with clients and teams of like-minded professionals to design a giving plan that serves the donor, their family, and achieves outcomes important to them.

I get to see what it’s like from both sides of the table as a leader in a nonprofit myself (I serve as board president for Fifth House Ensemble). It helps me think about our fundraising and our impact. It also informs how I answer this question from young artists: “How do I ask for money?” My short answer is: Don’t ask for money. Instead, describe your vision – what impact your work will have on the world – and ask, “Will you join me?”

For me, a particularly satisfying aspect of advising in philanthropy is its value to everyone, regardless of how wealthy they are. It enriches family conversations about money, wealth, and responsibility. It also informs people how they use their time and talent to become more creative and satisfied with their volunteer work.

For me, being a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) is not merely another tool in the toolkit. It’s the synthesis of wealth management, personal and family discovery, philanthropic instruments and techniques, and the nonprofit’s perspective.

It’s a privilege to serve clients in such a meaningful way and help my community as well.

Onward

“Purpose and Significance” and “Onward” were bookends for each lecture in the coursework taught by Phil Cubeta, Assistant Professor of Philanthropy, The American College. If you’re a trusted advisor (financial, attorney, accountant, gift planner, etc.) and this appeals to you, I invite you to check out the CAP Program.

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