Private charitable activities are increasingly international in scope. Individuals, families and companies currently operating private foundations are finding that the regulatory burdens imposed by compliance with U.S. law often constrain or discourage international charitable endeavors. Likewise, potential philanthropists considering establishing new charitable enterprises are often surprised at the extent to which U.S. legal structures present significant disincentives, particularly where the objects of the proposed charitable mission will extend beyond U.S. border.

The recently published Cambridge University Press book, A Practical Guide to International Philanthropy by a well-known legal practitioner in the area, Jonathon R. Moore, describes the mechanics of and the basic legal framework applicable to establishing a charitable institution, whether domestic or foreign. It is both a primer and a "how-to" book, taking the reader through the basic concepts necessary to understand how a private foundation works and how one is established. The focus is on the practical considerations that will arise, important legal and tax issues, and the numerous considerations bearing on selection of a location for the charitable enterprise.

A Practical Guide to International Philanthropy addresses issues faced by philanthropists seeking to engage in charitable activities and offers alternative approaches to traditional U.S.-based foundations. A significant portion of the regulatory burdens facing U.S. philanthropists derives from tax benefits available to donors under U.S. law. The charitable organization must initially qualify and then be maintained under a complex regulatory regime. Where some or all of these tax benefits are unavailable or not needed, or can be foregone, charitable institutions can be established in foreign jurisdictions. Charitable activities can then be conducted flexibly and privately outside the constraints of the U.S. regulatory regime.

Links allow the reader to easily order the book, to sample the practical approaches to philanthropy advocated by the book, and to access a number of other third-party resources, including some of the appendices included in the book. Persons who have already purchased the book can utilize this website to update authorities and sources which have become available since the book's publication.