Although many people dream of starting their own charity, they are often discouraged by the perception that foundations are only for the wealthy. That is why Dr. J. T. “Dock” Houk founded the National Heritage Foundation. Established in 1968, the National Heritage Foundation makes it easy for anyone with a desire to serve their community to establish their own family foundation. To date, the National Heritage Foundation has helped thousands of philanthropists establish their own charitable fu... Read Full Story
by Dock HoukSome of you may have read Phil Rucker’s article in The Washington Post and elsewhere on the Value of Non-Profit (Charities) to the Washington, DC regional economy. It is estimated in Rucker’s article that…1. The economic value of the contributions of Philanthropy to the Washington, DC was more than $9.6 Billion dollars.2. The charities in the DC area number 7,614.3. Usually the services are delivered less expensively and more prudently than the Government,4. And that the key area... Read Full Story
A follow-up to Katrina Part Deux Here’s what you must know from previous posts so that you really understand what I am beefed about: 1. Since 1968, the National Heritage Foundation has been encouraging Charitable Entrepreneurship. People who want to make the world a better place have been encouraged to set up a “foundation at NHF”, make donations from their own pockets, obtain funds from friends and neighbors, and from other fund raising events, then make suggestions to the final a... Read Full Story
by Dock HoukMy goodness, the things I learn from you. This is exciting – perhaps one of the most exciting new markets we have come up with: Life InsuranceBackground:Most of you are aware that the National Heritage Family is a BIG booster of the product LIFE INSURANCE. “Pennies buy dollars for future delivery” is a great sales line. We love it for many reasons, not the least of which being my dad’s influence on me. Dad served on the Board of Directors of a major insurance company for 25 years... Read Full Story
Donors should be able to DO charitable work, not just DONATE to existing charitiesby Dr. JT Dock Houk, JD, PhD, CPhD Some of you may have read my blog from October 18, 2007 called "KATRINA PART-DEUX," which noted sadly that the Pension Reform Act of 2006 makes it illegal for a donor to recover reasonable compensation and expenses from moneys that he may have donated to a DONOR ADVISED FUND when he assists victims of a second disaster like HURRICANE KATRINA. And now comes th... Read Full Story
by Dock HoukWhy in the world would Congress stop the progress of charitable involvement by the American People?By preventing Donor Advised Funds from operating charitable programs, Congress has effectively hampered market forces at work -- to create jobs in the charitable sector and help those in need. Did you know these programs were operating in when the law was passed?The 14 pages of the 400-page Pension Reform Act (that prohibits payment from a Donor-Advised Fund for reimbursement of exp... Read Full Story
When Hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit the New Orleans and Texas areas, breaking down the levees and flooding the lower lying homes, many of the foundations under the authority of the National Heritage Foundation (NHF) took immediate action. Both money and people advanced on the tragedy and did what they could to help. And many wonderful new chapters in the NHF story were written – headlined by The KATRINA HOUSING FOUNDATION, EVERY CHURCH A SCHOOL FOUNDATION, AND MUTTSHACK.Foundations at NHF ta... Read Full Story
