Summary:
In this episode of the Cause Leadership Podcast, Dave Hutchinson is joined by Tim Cestnick—one of Canada’s leading voices in tax and personal finance—who shares his insights on strategic philanthropy, the importance of understanding family values, and how philanthropists can maximize their impact through thoughtful giving. They also explore the evolving landscape of charitable giving in Canada, from policy shifts to engaging the next generation of donors.
Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction and guest background
04:15 – Foundations of strategic philanthropy and family legacy
06:39 – The purpose and definition of strategic philanthropy
09:40 – The seven faces of philanthropy and motivations
11:20 – How family values influence giving behavior
15:50 – Mistakes in giving: allocation, over-conservatism, and asset choices
19:00 – The future of philanthropy in Canada and risk considerations
21:00 – Trends in Canadian giving: the wealth transfer opportunity
23:00 – Policy environment: tax benefits, legislation, and advocacy
27:00 – The role of community vs. private foundations & donor advised funds (DAFs)
30:00 – Engaging the next generation: education, conversations, and values
36:00 – How younger donors are approaching giving differently
44:00 – Building relationships with professional advisors and charities
50:00 – Observing the impact of policy on charitable contributions
56:00 – Overcoming the “poverty mentality” and encouraging giving
Guest Bio: Tim Cestnick
Tim Cestnick enjoys a reputation as one of Canada’s most respected experts and public speakers in the areas of tax and personal finance. Tim is Co-Founder & CEO of Our Family Office Inc., one of Canada’s leading wealth advisory firms to affluent families.
Tim consults and speaks in all areas of personal finance. In addition to his CA designation, he is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), Certified Public Accountant (Illinois), a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), and a Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP).
Tim’s national speaking profile is confirmed by his position as a personal finance columnist for the Globe & Mail’s Report on Business, Canada’s national newspaper. He has authored 18 best-selling books, and is a regular contributor and on-air personality on radio and television. He appears regularly on CTV, CBC Newsworld, BNN, and the best-known money programs in the country.
Tim and his wife Carolyn have three children and two dogs. All are hockey fanatics – especially his dog.
Connecting with Tim:
website: www.ourfamilyoffice.ca
podcast: https://ourfamilyoffice.transistor.fm
linkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ourfamilyoffice
Personal linkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timcestnick/
