For Bill Lorenz — longtime financial services leader, community advocate and former Interim chief operating officer of Foundation For The Carolinas — philanthropy has always been a family value. Last Christmas, he and his wife, Carol, chose a unique gift for their two adult children and their partners: FFTC Donor Advised Funds. The decision sparked new conversations about generosity, impact and the role each person can play in strengthening community.

We sat down with Bill to learn more about why he believes a donor advised fund may be one of the most meaningful gifts you can give.

What inspired you to give your children donor advised funds as a Christmas gift?

There were really two motivations. First, both of our adult children — and their partners — grew up in families where giving back was the norm. They already had a strong philanthropic mindset. Second, during my time as Interim COO at FFTC, I saw firsthand the importance of cultivating the next generation of philanthropic leaders.

Carol and I try to live generously as part of our faith, and we often talk about giving around the Sunday dinner table with our family. Gifting a donor advised fund was simply a way to make it easier for our children to act on the generosity they were already practicing.

How did you first learn about gifting donor advised funds and what made it feel like the right fit?

I first heard the idea at the University of Michigan’s business school, and later it resurfaced in conversations at FFTC. It struck me as a smart, practical way to give younger generations an entry point into structured, meaningful philanthropy.

I don’t feel like we’ve fully cracked the code on engaging millennials in giving but enabling them to open and manage donor advised funds is a powerful step. It’s simple, accessible and flexible, exactly the kind of tool that can grow with them.

How did your children react and how has it shaped conversations around giving?

We told them during a Sunday family dinner, which felt fitting. They were shocked — donor advised funds certainly weren’t on their Christmas lists. But that’s what made it special. It created an opportunity to open up conversations about generosity, responsibility and the joy that comes from giving.

Those conversations have continued, shaped in part by lessons we’ve learned through our church’s generosity initiatives. A consultant once encouraged us to consider giving the largest gift we’d ever given — not out of obligation, but joy. That mindset has influenced our whole family as we think about what giving can mean.

How have they chosen to use their funds so far?

I try not to pry too much, but I did ask as we prepared for this conversation. Their giving reflects both their values and their lived experiences. They’ve supported organizations like Freedom School, Safe Alliance, Charlotte Rescue Mission and the YWCA — causes rooted in education, safety, stability and opportunity.

They’ve also given beyond Charlotte, directing gifts to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and a suicide-prevention nonprofit in Colorado. What I find most meaningful is how personal their choices are. Their giving mirrors the things they care deeply about—and that’s exactly what we hoped would happen.

How has this experience shaped your perspective on engaging the next generation in philanthropy?

It confirmed something I’ve seen time and again: when people truly understand where their dollars go, they feel inspired to give more.

I recently attended a gathering for Trinity Episcopal School and learned about their capital campaign. Hearing directly about the impact of that work immediately moved Carol and I to increase our support. The same has been true in our years serving Freedom School, where you can see the difference in hundreds of students each summer.

When young adults experience that same sense of connection and purpose, their giving becomes more intentional—and more joyful.

What has been the most rewarding part of giving this kind of gift?

It’s the joy on both sides: the joy in offering someone the opportunity to be generous and the joy in seeing the impact of the choices they make. It’s a gift that keeps expanding in meaning long after the holiday season is over.

What would you tell others who may be considering gifting a donor advised fund?

I hope our story encourages others to explore this idea. Those in a position to do so have a real opportunity — and I would say a responsibility — to help future generations discover their philanthropic path.

A donor advised fund is a powerful tool, but the concept is simple: give someone the ability to help others. Even giving someone $1,000 to distribute to organizations they care about can spark something meaningful.

If we want to inspire the next generation of generosity, this is a beautiful way to begin.

If you’re considering a gift that creates lasting impact, FFTC’s experts are here to help — and can keep your surprise under wraps. Reach out to us at philanthropy@fftc.org to learn more.