August 7, 2026
I’m pleased to share a new article published by ImpactAlpha exploring an issue that sits at the intersection of philanthropy, impact investing and community development: how the language we use shapes our understanding of the tools available to create impact.
Using donor-advised funds as an example, the article considers important distinctions among charitable giving, recoverable capital and investment activity—and why legal structure, ownership, risk and financial expectations matter. As these fields increasingly overlap, developing greater shared understanding can help donors, investors, advisors and practitioners make more informed choices about how they use their assets for good and work more effectively together.
The article builds on recent legal research conducted through my partnership with professor Steve Virgil, and Wake Forest University School of Law’s Trade and Development Clinic.