Generous Business Strategies: Part II

Many business owners believe that the privately-held stock they own in their company has little value until they sell the business. Mark discovered otherwise.

Mark leveraged his stock long before selling his business. Mark had his business appraised, then donated 20% of his company stock to a donor advised fund. (That’s basically a checking account specifically for giving.)

This gave him a significant tax deduction, a large tax refund, and the donor advised fund received 20% of future profit distributions to give to charity. When the business eventually sold, Mark’s donor advised fund received 20% of the sale proceeds.

Proverbs 9: 12 says, “If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.”

The earlier verse, Proverbs 9:11, stated that through wisdom, days and years will be added to the life of the wise. The same can be said of businesses and the business world. Even small careful decisions can add years and great prosperity to the life of your business.

Like Mark, be wise in pursuing generous business strategies. Consider tax laws and what you want for the future of your business so you can start enacting that future today.

Questions For Reflection

• What has been stopping you from generosity in your business? Are you anxious about the funds? Do you have any ideas what you’d put them towards?
• Are there any types of charities that play into your business field or directly affect your local area? If you don’t have stock to donate, what else could you give?