Differing views within families are nothing new. For generations, common topics of disagreement have included popular culture, politics, religion, and parenting, to name a few. But money frequently tops that list — how it’s made, how it’s spent, or how it’s saved.  

How philanthropic families share money, whether agreeably or disagreeably, is a topic all in its own. It’s perhaps never been more relevant than now given these realities: up to four generations living at the same time; longer lifespans; more willingness to discuss family finances; differing social views; and the desire of older generations to set a good philanthropic example while retaining some control of assets built over many years.  

According to figures cited in a May 2023 New York Times article, total U.S. family wealth of $38 trillion in 1989 more than tripled to $140 trillion in 2022, with Baby Boomers and Generation X holding 90% of that wealth. By 2045, older Americans will pass down a projected $84 trillion to Millennial and Gen X heirs, with $16 trillion transferring by 2033. With more and more wealth circulating, both ideas and conflicts about its use will likely occur.  

As an advisor, your objective is to help your clients achieve their goals for their estate plans, financial plans, and charitable plans. As you work with your multi-generational clients, you have undoubtedly noticed that even a subject as uplifting as philanthropy can lead to lively discussions and sometimes even disagreements. To fulfill your role, you must lean on strategies to navigate conversations about charitable priorities when not everyone is on the same page.  

You can also lean on the Omaha Community Foundation – and we encourage you to do so! Community foundations occupy a unique position in the midst of the unprecedented wealth transfer now underway. We can serve as an arbiter, guide and even peacemaker among benevolent multi-generation families. In addition to understanding the needs of our community, the nonprofits and programs addressing those needs, and the ins and outs of the tax vehicles available to help your clients to meet those needs, the Omaha Community Foundation team is deeply experienced in facilitating productive dialogue among people who bring valuable, diverse viewpoints to the table. 

As a secure, convenient, and trusted partner to help individuals and families invest wealth in charitable causes, the Omaha Community Foundation can help you work with your philanthropic clients in a variety of ways: 

  • The Omaha Community Foundation team focuses on listening to understand the cross-generational and intra-generational values of a family.  
  • We ask a lot of questions about what causes matter to your clients and the origins of those preferences, both historically and now.  
  • Our team seeks to understand a family’s values, and then we research and suggest potential organizations or causes the family might consider supporting.  
  • The Omaha Community Foundation can educate the various generations about the giving vehicles available to them, including Donor Advised Funds, field of interest funds, designated funds, and other options.  
  • Our team can develop giving plans that support several causes, not just a single area of interest, to ensure that everyone feels like the causes they support are included in the giving.  
  • Multi-generational families often have family members who live in different regions. Our team can schedule multiple meetings to accommodate various family members, plan family meetings at agreed-upon intervals for convenience, or schedule virtual meetings. 

We are here for you and the charitable individuals and families you serve. As the needs, capabilities and opinions around wealth expand, the Omaha Community Foundation can facilitate conversations, make connections, and build consensus among charitably inclined but independently-minded families and help you carry out your professional responsibilities.