Wealthy Donors Seek Out Advisers to Guide Their Giving

From show-business successes like Barbra Streisand to billionaire business types like Ronald O. Perelman, many of the wealthiest people in America rely upon longtime advisers to guide their personal charitable giving.

These representatives are always on the lookout for a cause or an innovation that fits with their donor’s vision for his or her philanthropy.

Such advisers are in growing demand these days, says Ellen Remmer, managing partner of the Philanthropic Initiative, a Boston consultant to wealthy donors. “It has always been important to get an objective read on programs and ideas, but there are more requests now because wealthy people can be easily found,” Ms. Remmer says.

The Internet has made the great divide between the rich and everyone else seem less daunting, but it’s more than that: “Development people have become much more sophisticated, and lists of donors are everywhere. Donors need more protection now.”

While it’s easy to see these advisers as guarding the gates between charities and major donors, Ms. Remmer says, in some ways they make the donor more accessible because they become an additional point of contact.

How can these advisers be found? What are the best ways to approach them? Just as important, how should they not be approached? See these topics in our special package on advisers.

• Careful Listening Helps a Philanthropy Adviser

• Billionaire’s Adviser Focuses on Results

• Streisand’s Adviser Shares Star’s Interests

• Do’s and Don’ts for Fundraisers Seeking Gifts From Wealthy Donors