When working with affluent families, I often hear the popular warning: “Shirtsleeves-to-shirtsleeves in three generations.” This quote suggests that a family’s wealth often disappears by the time it reaches the grandchildren of the wealth-creating generation.

Nearly 50 years ago, Milton Friedman launched the era of “shareholder capitalism.” The world has changed a lot since then – for better and for worse.

Although truly strategic philanthropy is highly individualized, some lessons are universal. Here are several lessons I've learned.

"Philanthropy should be taking much bigger risks than business," said Bill Gates. "If these are easy problems, business and government can come in and solve them."

Since disaster-related philanthropy is often an emotional response to a terrifying event, it is rarely strategic and, as a result, often not effective. Mistakes are common. Here are some ways to make sure that your generous response does the most good.

The best antidote to the current pandemic of hopelessness is philanthropy, which is inherently optimistic -- reflecting the fundamental belief that we can have a positive impact on stubborn societal issues and the lives of others.

Across the United States, companies of all sizes increasingly recognize the importance of philanthropic community engagement. In 2017, those companies donated more than $20 billion to charitable causes.

Across the United States, companies of all sizes increasingly recognize the importance of philanthropic community engagement. In 2017, those companies donated more than $20 billion to charitable causes.

Impact investing is the rapidly expanding approach to financial markets that seeks to do well and to do good. It attempts to generate positive financial and social returns.

Economic and political volatility will impact the giving world.

The U.S. ranks last among the G20 nations in achieving the SDGs, and 36th among all the countries in the world.

Since 2010, I have now written 100 columns addressing many aspects of philanthropy – for families, businesses and foundations. To acknowledge this milestone, here are some of my favorite excerpts.

Through philanthropy, individuals can (and do) make a difference, promote change and improve their communities.

The fastest-growing tool in the philanthropic arena is the donor-advised fund. DAFs are 501(c)(3) philanthropic accounts established at a public charity.

Philanthropy is “coherent” when it is logical, well-organized, well-planned and sensible – as well as easy to understand and articulate.

Philanthropy is “coherent” when it is logical, well-organized, well-planned and sensible – as well as easy to understand and articulate.

Community foundations will play an important role in achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the UN.

In 2015, the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and established a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Let’s put these new goals into a good news/bad news context.

Give children input into giving -- in too many families, philanthropic values are unilaterally created by the older generations.

An important new study finds that half of U.S. nonprofits are at risk financially -- facing inadequate cash reserves, negative income margins and technical insolvency.

Businesses must play a more strategic and integral role in efforts to solve the most pressing problems of our local, national and global communities.

When it comes to the world of philanthropy, 2018 promises to be transformational. Watch for these trends in 2018.

We are currently engaged in the largest wealth transfer in history. Over 50 years, between 2007 and 2061, an estimated $59 trillion will pass from older to younger generations. What does that mean for philanthopy?

Soon, many of us will gather around the Thanksgiving table with family and friends -- to indulge in an abundance of delicious traditional foods and give thanks for abundant blessings and freedoms.

Bruce DeBoskey shares thoughts on giving to international charitable organizations.