Giving away control

Charity | Some business owners are turning their companies over to Christian charity | Rusty Leonard

Illustration by Krieg Barrie

Willie Sutton, when asked why he robbed banks, responded, "Because that is where the money is." Fundraisers for Christian ministries have learned that successful Christian businesspeople represent one of the easiest ways to raise significant sums for their cause, because that is where the biggest gifts are. It is not that Christian businesspeople are more generous than other Christians; they just have a greater capacity to give.

While many entrepreneurs give cheerfully and generously from their sizable income, some have tried a different approach. They have used a foundation or donor-advised fund structure to maintain management control while transferring ownership from the controlling shareholder to a legal entity with a stated purpose of funding Christian ministry. Some who have taken this step speak about spiritual benefits that they have received.