A Practical Guide to International Philanthropy

This book is a practical guide addressing the issues faced by philanthropists seeking to engage in international charitable activities and offers alternative approaches to traditional U.S.-based foundations. A significant portion of the regulatory burdens facing U.S. private foundations derives from tax benefits available to donors under U.S. law. A charitable organization must initially qualify and then be maintained under a complex regulatory regime. If some or all of these tax benefits are either unavailable or not needed, or if the tax advantages are outweighed by the burdens of regulatory compliance, foundations can be established in foreign jurisdictions. Charitable activities can then be operated flexibly and privately outside the constraints of the U.S. regulatory regime. For existing private foundations, this book suggests strategies designed to hedge against ever-increasing and intrusive regulation.

This book is a practical guide addressing the issues faced by philanthropists seeking to engage in international charitable activities and offers alternative approaches to traditional U.S.-based foundations. A significant portion of the regulatory burdens facing U.S. private foundations derives from tax benefits available to donors under U.S. law. A charitable organization must initially qualify and then be maintained under a complex regulatory regime. If some or all of these tax benefits are either unavailable or not needed, or if the tax advantages are outweighed by the burdens of regulatory compliance, foundations can be established in foreign jurisdictions. Charitable activities can then be operated flexibly and privately outside the constraints of the U.S. regulatory regime. For existing private foundations, this book suggests strategies designed to hedge against ever-increasing and intrusive regulation.

Jonathon R. Moore, an internationally recognized expert in the legal aspects of philanthropy, is a partner in the law firm of Moore & Bruce, LLP, in Washington, D.C., and London, England. His practice focuses on planning and compliance matters for exempt organizations and for non-U.S. and U.S. corporate and individual clients interested in establishing charitable organizations. He is a member of the District of Columbia and New York Bars, the Committee on Exempt Organizations of the American Bar Association's Section on Taxation, the Philanthropic Advisors Network of the Council on Foundations, and the District of Columbia Estate Planning Council.