Bridging Crypto and Philanthropy in Family Business with Robbie Heeger

01/28/25 • 33 min

R. Adam Smith welcomes Robbie Heeger, founder and CEO of Endaoment, the first blockchain-powered community foundation revolutionizing philanthropy for digital asset holders. Heeger shares how his journey began with a simple quest for tax efficiency when donating cryptocurrency, revealing the gap in the market for donor-advised funds (DAFs) that could accept digital assets. The conversation explores how DAFs serve as accessible entry points for next-generation family members looking to establish their philanthropic identity within the family wealth office structure. Heeger also discusses Endaoment's dual structure as both a technology company and nonprofit, outlining his vision for democratizing philanthropy through blockchain's transparency and community governance capabilities.

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Bridget Kustin and Emanuela Rondi on the Evolution of Family Enterprise Impact

R. Adam Smith welcomes economic anthropologist Bridget Kustin of Oxford Saïd Business School and Associate Professor Emanuela Rondi of the University of Bergamo for an insightful academic perspective on family enterprise dynamics. Kustin shares findings from the Ownership Project 2.0, examining how ultra-wealthy families approach impact investment and the disconnect between their self-perception and actual ESG performance. Rondi discusses her research on family business innovation, particularly how intergenerational relationships can drive digital transformation through "reverse mentorship." Together, they explore the complexities of family wealth office structures, succession planning challenges, and how evolving concepts of legacy affect multi-generational family financial planning.

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Family Business Audiocast - Bridging Crypto and Philanthropy in Family Business with Robbie Heeger

Transcript

R. Adam Smith: Welcome to the Family Business Audiocast on LinkedIn. I am R. Adam Smith, creator of this audiocast series. As an entrepreneur, investor, founder, investment banker, and board leader the last 25 years, I'm fortunate for my many experiences within the family firm industry. A brief comment on why I created this broadcast: private companies are a passion of mine having grown up in a family of entrepreneurs and having engaged for two decades in deals, strategic tran