On May 10, Silicon Valley Community Foundation and Stanford University’s Office of Planned Giving co-sponsored the annual Conference on Charitable Giving.
Every year, the conference provides professional advisors – attorneys, accountants, and financial planners – as well as senior development staff, with an opportunity to learn from experts in the field, discover tips and trends to help their clients reach their charitable giving goals, and earn continuing education credits. Approximately 200 advisors and guests attended this year -- one of the largest gatherings in COCG history! “The whole event was superb!” shared one attendee following the conference. “I enjoyed hearing all of the speakers and meeting many interesting people.”
Martin Hall of Ropes & Gray began the conference with a broad overview of legislation and cases that affect charitable planning for individuals and private foundations, including the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Jeff Raikes, former CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and co-founder of the Raikes Foundation, followed by sharing his personal philanthropic journey.
During lunch, Jeremy Grantham and Ashby Monk discussed how climate change will impact financial portfolios and what advisors can do to protect their clients’ assets.
Breakout sessions covered topics including IRS rules regarding client deductions; charitable strategies for business owners; impact investing in charitable giving; ways to engage the next generation in charitable giving; and recent legislation around donor advised funds.
The COCG planning team would like to thank everyone who attended, as well as our sponsors, Wells Fargo Private Bank, Wetherby Asset Management, Seilter LLP, Merrill Lynch Private Banking & Investment Group, Sideman Bancroft LLP, Hoge Fenton and TIAA Kaspick.
The 2019 Conference on Charitable Giving will be the 20th anniversary of COCG! Stay tuned for additional information and for next year's conference date.