Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory is the most complete, trusted source for identifying qualified legal counsel - Jonathan Ackerman's Martindale-Hubbell Page
National Committee on Planned Giving - www.ncpg.org
Charitable Registry, LLC - www.charitableregistry.com
For more information concerning the registration requirements of charitable organizations to comply with state charitable solicitations laws
Interesting Facts Regarding Family-Owned Businesses:
  • Family-owned businesses represent more than 50% of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product and 60% of the total U.S. employment. (Financial Planning, November 1999)
  • Family-owned businesses comprise a major part of America's wealth - 80 - 90% of all business enterprises in North America. (J.H. Astrachan and M.C. Shanker, Family Business Review, www.ffi.org)
  • Family-owned businesses struggle to survive generation to generation - with 30% surviving the second generation, 12% surviving the third generation, and only 3% surviving the fourth generation. (Joseph Astrachan, Ph. D., editor, Family Business Review, www.ffi.org)
  • Improper planning for business succession and lack of funds to pay estate taxes were two leading causes for the demise of a family-owned business, and in almost 50% of the cases, the death of the founder precipitated that demise. (Survey of 800 family-owned businesses, University of Connecticut Family Business Program website - www.sba.uconn.edu/Family Business)
  • Of primary importance to family firm wealth holders is not just the transfer of wealth, but also the transfer of values, which includes encouraging children to earn their own money and philanthropic giving and volunteering. (Wealth with Responsibility Study/2000, Bankers Trust Private Banking, Deutsche Bank Group)
  • By the year 2005, transitions will occur as the primary owner of most of the family-owned businesses will retire or die, causing in significant part the largest intergenerational transfer of wealth in U.S. history. (Robert Avery, Cornell University, "The Ten Trillion Dollar Question: A Philanthropic Gameplan," Initiatives)