With a focus on process rather than on performance, Heritage Planning trains & mentors each generation. Within the context of the family’s philanthropy, family members learn about the power and impact of wealth and the unique personal values which influence the family member’s decision making. When done well, this process often proves successful in counteracting materialism and can address complacency by awakening personalized ambitions to make a meaningful difference in the local community, or world.

In the area of business and finance, the charitable resources can also be used to address sound investment principles, governance, decision-making and sustainable spending. The family may choose to invest the Foundation’s wealth into companies, organizations, and funds with the intention to generate social and environmental impact alongside a financial return (commonly referred to as “Impact Investing”). Microfinance loans, which provide small-business owners in emerging nations with startup or expansion capital, is one such example.

Driven by the unique and personal interests of each family member, the Foundation may be used to teach about economic development, health issues, the arts, or other fields of interest and inspiration. Commonly, through their participation in this process, family members often grow closer in their relationship with each other as they share and learn about their often privately held personal interests.

Heritage Planning compliments the formal structures put in place for the governance of the family’s charitable Foundation. When intentionally addressed, the process by which a family communicates, makes decisions as a group, and resolve conflicts, are put into practice.  The way the meetings are structured and operated will eventually create healthy family norms while also encouraging family unity.