Financial professionals (e.g. investment advisors, financial planners, estate attorneys…)

You need professionals you fully trust, with whom you can talk easily, and who understand and respect your values. Don't settle for less! As your friends and colleagues for names of professionals they use and recommend. Many community foundations and other public philanthropic institutions also have lists of financial professionals. If you're interested in social investing look at the Social Investment Forum for a directory of professional financial services as well as performance comparisons of socially screened mutual funds.

Philanthropic consultants

Some philanthropic consultants provide guidance (e.g. on how to make a giving plan, determine a giving budget, define a family foundation's mission...) and others are "hands-on" (e.g. they can research potential grantees in an area of interest, or administer your grantmaking program...) The National Center on Family Philanthropy, the National Association of Philanthropic Planners, The Philanthropic Initiative and the Council on Foundations can connect you to a variety of philanthropy consultants.

Wealth Counselors

Wealth counselors can help you untangle the emotional, familial, and values conflicts that may block your progress and make dealing with wealth painful. Many wealth counselors are mental health or family therapy professionals, and many have personal as well professional experience with these issues. Contact Dr. Dennis Pearne, for connection to the Wealth Counselor Network.

Mentors

A mentor is a peer you can learn from, someone you admire and who has expertise they are willing to share your area(s) of interest and concern. In most donor networks you will easily find people willing to encourage you, either formally or informally. Please contact us if you seek mentorship or might be willing to act as a mentor.

Coaches

Through skillful listening and step-by-step support, a coach will support you to articulate your goals and to move past whatever challenges you face in achieving them. Most coaches have had professional coach training, and offer weekly, half-hour sessions by phone. Coachville, Coach U, and Falling Awake are coach training programs that have searchable databases of their graduates.