As a result of recent success, Corporate Hartz extended its corporate social responsibility-based service to provide counsel directly to executives and families on their personal philanthropy, in both short and long term assignments. This work benefits private-sector leaders, soon-to-retire executives, people in transition, and families seeking a meaningful shared experience.
We implemented our unique approach with two fairly new family foundations in the US. Each private foundation was created when the family’s business experienced a liquidity event that made the structure tax-advisable.
Placing money into a special account, Donor Advised Fund, or Foundation is only the beginning of the journey.
The Individual’s or Family’s Team of Advisors
Jennifer Hartz, the philanthropic expert, works together with financial advisors, accounting professionals, and legal counsel. Each family engaged Corporate Hartz to help develop their mission, strategies, structure, roles, processes, and communications. This investment is the catalyst for:
- Sharing their values with the next generation,
- Focusing on what is most important to them,
- Leveraging their skills and resources in concert with their money.
Benefits of Facilitation
They gained the intellectual clarity and increased confidence that a sound strategy provides. It is a pleasure to work with these multi-generation families, together with their advisors, as they continue to balance professional and personal community engagement in a thoughtful manner.
Genesis of Advising People on Civic Leadership and Investment
It began in the early 1990’s, when Bernie Marcus, CEO of The Home Depot, asked me to place 100 of the company’s leaders and rising stars on boards of directors of nonprofits that address affordable housing, youth at risk, or environmental issues. I learned how people’s values, resources, and opportunities shape their philanthropic impulses, and perfected how to align volunteers’ capabilities and goals with charities’ needs.
That work has always been a thread and of value in my earlier jobs and my now-established firm.
Client Drives Breadth and Depth of Counsel.
Corporate Hartz consults with businesspeople on why, when, where, and how to donate corporate time, expertise, products, services, relationships, and money to generate a return on their investment. In that context, executives often share,
Many of us do not understand how to integrate philanthropy with our busy families and occupational commitments.
Not surprisingly, most people feel ill prepared to share their wealth, talents, and networks, and are confused about how to connect their interests with their professional and personal goals. Corporate Hartz’s impact comes from our exceptional ability to find areas of synergy between a person’s head and heart, work and family, past and present.
Personal Philanthropy and Corporate Social Responsibility
We strongly believe that corporate social responsibility and personal philanthropy have different motivations and goals, and therefore, should have distinct strategies and tactics. In privately owned or closely held businesses, interests may overlap, or they may not.
Corporate Hartz is excited to continue its Corporate Social Responsibility core business with companies, and extend direct service to individuals and families.