Reviews of the Book

“Philanthropy is a vital activity, and there's never enough money to do all the good that needs to be done. In Creating a Private Foundation, Roger Silk and Jim Lintott clearly explain a number of different giving strategies - both tax and philanthropic - to help donors make their limited resources go farther. I highly recommend it.”

-- Ace Greenberg
former Chairman, Bear Stearns

“This book is a great guide for those interested... in charitable foundation[s]. Every donor should study it.”

-- Vernon Smith
2002 Nobel Prize Winner in Economics

“The primer on effective philanthropy. I found it well-written and extremely relevant. I wish I had the book years ago.”

-- Warren Lammert
Manager, Janus Mercury Fund

“If you are a donor to charity, or if you advise donors, you must have this book. You'll learn more than most experts know and you'll be empowered to have far more impact than you'd ever have thought possible.”

-- Mark Victor Hansen
co-creator, #1 New York Times best-selling series Chicken Soup for the Soul®
co-author, The One Minute Millionaire

“I have your book, Creating a Private Foundation: The Essential Guide for Donors and Their Advisers with great anticipation. It does not disappoint. As an attorney who frequently advises clients on charitable giving, I find the book both useful and informative. What I especially enjoyed about the book was its effective "bulls-eye" strike at two target audiences - high net worth clients and their professional advisors. It is an excellent introduction to the laws and economics of private foundations. It belongs on any advisor's bookshelf of basic reference materials.”

-- Robert G. Petix, Jr.
Arnall Golden and Gregory, Atlanta

“For a period of time I have done a great deal of research into the area of private foundations. I gathered a great deal of information. I was very impressed by the material that I received from Sterling Foundation Management. I was very fortunate to have received a copy of the pre-publication book on private foundations authored by Roger D. Silk. I found this book to be very complete and it seemed to answer all of my questions on private foundations.”

-- Richard D. Sleeper
Founder, Sleeper Vision Mission Foundation

“I have been a tax and financial planner since 1974. Over the years I have had high net worth clients who are interested in a variety of charitable endeavors. I have attended many seminars that covered charitable trusts and other strategies including private foundations. One of my clients was very motivated towards establishing a private foundation. He and I looked into a lot of different possibilities. It was just fortuitous that I came upon the Momingstar web site and found an article by Roger Silk of Sterling Foundation Management. This was the clearest exposition on private foundations that I seen. This led me to solicit more information from Mr. Silk and I was extremely pleased with the material I received. I subsequently received the pre-publication draft of Private Foundations: A practical Guide for Donors and Their Advisors. This volume is amazing to me in its clarity and comprehensive coverage of a very complex topic. I shared this document with my client. He told me that it answered all of his questions and we are proceeding with the establishment of his private foundation. I believe that Roger Silk's book on private foundations is a must for any financial professional I would be more than happy to talk with any person that has questions on this book.”

-- Philip A. ("Andy") Bewley
Oaktree Securities
Aptos, CA

“Thank you for such a wonderful resource. I found [it] to be incredibly useful as a reference for counseling families about money issues and their children. The book is a valuable reference for both the advisor and foundation directors.”

-- Christopher Valentine
First Security Investments.
Radio host, WDNC, Raleigh, NC

“An excellent source for getting all your questions answered on a topic that can be rather overwhelming and complex. Very easy to read and understand.”

-- Bill Billimoria
Billimoria Wealth Management, Inc.
Schaumberg, IL

“Being a tax director of an exempt organizations practice at a large accounting and consulting company, I work extensively with professionals at various firms advising tax-exempt clients. It is exceedingly rare for one individual or one company to possess comprehensive knowledge regarding private foundations. Roger Silk and his team at Sterling Foundation Management have managed to write a book that offers an incisive look at the entire planning process involving private foundations. From the genesis of philanthropic thinking (giving the example of Plato, no less) to the mind-numbing compliance rules unique to private foundations, Roger manages to bring it all together in a fascinating book written in plain English. I'm heartily recommending Creating a Private Foundation to foundation directors, trustees and officers. Professional advisors should also have the book prominently featured in their office libraries. In fact, anyone interested in philanthropy will find practical wisdom in Roger Silk's outstanding work.”

-- Jeffrey Perelman
Director, Exempt Organizations, Anchin Block and Anchin
New York, NY

“This guide provides just the right information to help you create and effectively manage your foundation--and does so in an interesting and very readable way. The authors have clearly been listening to their clients and do an excellent job of anticipating the questions you will have about your foundation. They share their breadth of experience and have organized the information to be most helpful. You will refer to this book over and over again as an important resource for your philanthropic giving.”

-- Charlie Haines, CFP
President, Charlie D. Haines, LLC

“This comprehensive and compelling guide effectively describes why and how a grants-making foundation can be an extremely helpful vehicle for donors who want to make a unique and lasting difference.”

-- Gordon Gund
Chairman, The Foundation Fighting Blindness