Private Client Series

Implementing a Sustainable and Impact Investing Strategy – A Family Perspective

In the second piece of our two-part series on philanthropy and impact investing, we take a closer look at portfolio implementation best practices for families. In doing so, we outline how families may wish to identify opportunities within sustainable and impact investing (SII) themes. We discuss the broad opportunity set, how to construct and then actively manage an investment portfolio of these strategies, and why families are well-positioned to deploy capital in this space.

Unblurring the Boundary Between Philanthropy and Impact Investing for Families

In engaging with our family clients around the world, we are often asked for views on how to think about philanthropy versus impact investing and how to best implement a socially and/or environmentally impactful investment strategy. Common themes transcend these topics, but each is distinct, and we will outline our perspective in a two-part series. In this first piece, we discuss some of the motivations behind philanthropy and we review how philanthropy relates to impact investing.

While Great Entrepreneurs Leap, Great Investors Plan

As entrepreneurs know well, the process of creating and managing a successful business is complex and requires great skill, insight, and hard work. Successful management of significant wealth requires similar attributes; however, not all the characteristics fundamental to entrepreneurial success translate to effective portfolio management. This paper presents five recommendations for those looking to build an investment framework that can be as successful and personally rewarding as building a business.

Business Ownership at a Crossroads: Key Questions for Planning What’s Next

Private business owners who hold the majority of their wealth in one company are different from other investors. They face unique challenges when making investment decisions, including the fundamental question of whether to retain a concentrated position in their business. In this paper, we share some key questions business owners can ask themselves to help arrive at answers best suited to their own unique needs.

Triage Tax Planning in the US: Adapting to an Uncertain Tax Bill

The Build Back Better Act recently introduced in the US House of Representatives includes many tax provisions that would significantly impact US taxpayers. However, any major bill’s road from introduction to enactment is typically long, winding, and unpredictable. This note summarizes four tax planning–related questions we view as prime candidates for consideration by US families with substantial wealth, notwithstanding that uncertainty.

Racial Equity Investing: The Time Is Now

As we all grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic alongside widespread protests after the deaths of George Floyd and others, many asset owners are trying to determine how they can activate their investment portfolios to advance racial and social equity more broadly. We’ve identified three steps investors should take to help address racial inequities in an investment context.

Venture Capital Positively Disrupts Intergenerational Investing

Families of wealth face three key questions about intergenerational wealth planning: how best to invest to sustain future generations; how best to engage the next generation; and how best to ensure family unity endures. Often each question is addressed independently. We find that a conversation across generations about the impact of a meaningful venture capital allocation can help address all three questions in an integrated manner.