A conversation first. Then the work to make it real.

We sit with the family, and its advisor as agreed, to learn how it has given in the past and what it wants to accomplish now. We talk about the causes and organizations that matter, whose voices should be heard and what is still undecided.

We investigate the charitable possibilities worth considering. That might mean speaking with an organization's giving team about what a gift could support, what it requires or what the family can expect to hear afterward. Where a question calls for financial, legal or tax judgment, we bring in the family's professionals.

We bring our findings and recommendations back into the conversation. The family decides what it wants to do. It receives a written record of the choices made, the questions still open and the next steps.

We act on one agreed next step rather than handing over a report. That might mean confirming a charity's gift acceptance requirements or coordinating the first conversation with a recipient. The family and its advisor know what happened and what comes next. About 90 days later, we check in on what has moved and what the family may need next.

For families with more to carry through, we can keep working together on specific charitable initiatives or in an ongoing advisory relationship.