November 13, 2014

I attended a Women's Philanthropy event held through the Jewish Federation of Rochester, of which, Brighton Securities was honored to have the opportunity to sponsor. The Women's Philanthropy Event or the Main Event for Women is a tremendous event that generates many charitable dollars which ultimately serve to benefit the greater Rochester area community. At the dinner, many women spoke of their involvement with the Federation and why they choose to give. They also talked about their history of giving and why it is important tradition to not only themselves, but their families as well. Whether you support a religious organization, an animal shelter, or a local soccer team, giving is a personal and fulfilling act which many people engage in, regardless of their net worth.

Recent statistics show the following:

  1. 4% of households in the U.S. give to charity
  2. The average household contribution is $2,974
  3. Americans gave $335.17 billion in 2013-refleting a 4.4% increased from 2011
This culture of giving accounted for 2% of our GDP in 2013. So, whether your contributions are modest or sizable, you should talk with your advisor/tax professional about how to report your contributions and how you could structure estate contributions to a charitable organization. There are advantages that you deserve to enjoy for living and leaving a legacy of good will.

Caroline Hill, Financial Advisor

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(This article contains the current opinions of the author but not necessarily those of Brighton Securities Corp. The author's opinions are subject to change without notice. This blog post is for informational purposes only. Forecasts, estimates, and certain information contained herein should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy or investment product. References to specific securities and their issuers are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended and should not be interpreted as recommendations to purchase or sell such securities)..