How Successful Families Are Using Philanthropy to Prepare Their Heirs for Post-Transition Responsibilities

This first-of-a-kind book by Roy Williams and Vic Preisser reveals the hidden power of philanthropy to prepare your heirs for wealth and responsibility. After interviewing 3,250 affluent families, and examining almost 100 family foundations, the authors disclose how successful families are using philanthropy to teach their heirs Values, develop their appreciation for focus on a specific Mission, and instill a sense of Accountability. In many cases, the use of philanthropy as a teaching tool by family leaders determined whether or not the family remained unified—and financially successful—in their post-transition period. As in their prior groundbreaking book Preparing Heirs © 2003, the authors provide exercises, examples and checklists for each of five major age groups, beginning at age five. The book is easy to read and filled with specific guidance. Viewing philanthropy as a tool to improve your odds of post-transition success adds a new benefit to the traditional rationale behind family foundations and family giving programs.

PRAISE FOR PHILANTHROPY, HEIRS & VALUES:

“Right on target! This book proves that philanthropy is an incredible teaching tool for your family once you know how to apply its power.”
- Bill Lane, Founder of Sunset Magazine
Ambassador, Bill and Jean Lane Fund

“…an outstanding tool to put into the hands of every family with sufficient wealth to engage in philanthropy…very practical.”
 - Jim Miscoll, Vice Chairman (ret.) Bank of America

“This book is a great tool for preparing the third generation and as a refresher for those of us who started with Preparing Heirs.”
- Jim and Becky Morgan, Morgan Family Foundation

“This should be the handbook for all philanthropic advisors throughout the country.”
- Don Hartmann, Director of International
Association of Advisors in Philanthropy

An advice guide written especially for affluent families , April 11, 2005

Reviewer:

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA)

Philanthropy Heirs & Values is an advice guide written especially for affluent families seeking an effective means to teach their children values, mission, and accountability, preparing one's heirs for a successful transition of wealth and responsibility. Authors Roy Williams and Vic Preisser, both of whom have decades of experience aiding families with post-transition planning, interviewed 3,250 families and examined almost 100 family foundations, and discovered the secret of using philanthropy to teach values, the focus of a mission, and an individual sense of accountability. Revealing specific cases in which the teaching tool of philanthropy determined whether a family would remain unified (and financially successful) in their post-transition period, Philanthropy Heirs & Values offers exercises, examples and checklists for each of the five major age groups. An extremely useful instructional that reveals the power of enlightened self-interest. Also highly recommended is Williams' and Preisser's previous guide, "Preparing Heirs".

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Roy Williams has invested 40 years helping successful families with their post-transition planning. Skilled in guiding entire families (including heirs, spouses and children), his findings have proved to be an important complement to traditional pre-transition estate planning. His earlier books (Preparing Your Family to Manage Wealth and For Love and Money) are widely used by estate planners, trust officers, lawyers and accountants. As a professional athlete, university trustee, leading researcher, and an accomplished grandfather, Roy is the acknowledged dean of family coaching. A University of the Pacific graduate and Hall of Famer, he personally works with each family that seeks guidance from The Williams Group.
Vic Preisser brings 40 years of experience in business, government and education to his partnership with Roy. A successful senior executive for Fortune 500 companies, he has also served at the State Cabinet level in positions with Transportation, Social Services, and at The White House. Formerly the Resident Professor of Management, and Director of the Family Business Institute for the University of the Pacific, he is a successful entrepreneur who focuses, within The Williams Group, on mentoring “individuals of promise.” He is the co-author of Preparing Heirs. Vic’s Stanford MBA helps him communicate with business-oriented affluent clients and their heirs.