A Practical Guide to International Philanthropy

Jonathon R. Moore

Nov 2009 · Cambridge University Press

About this ebook

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 US-based foundations. A significant portion of the regulatory burdens facing US private foundations derives from tax benefits available to donors under US 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 US regulatory regime. For existing private foundations, this book suggests strategies designed to hedge against ever-increasing and intrusive regulation.

About the author

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, DC, and London, England. His practice focuses on planning and compliance matters for exempt organizations and for non-US and US 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.