For Shelton Chambers, the law is more than just business - it's a family business and a career she comes to as the latest in a long line of accomplished attorneys. Her specific area of interest – helping families utilize their resources to deepen their connections to each other and to the community around them - has made her a vital partner to the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga.
Tell us about the nature of what you do for clients and how that intersects with the work of the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga.
In my client meetings, families usually have three priorities: education, jobs, and philanthropy. The Community Foundation comes in when we discuss philanthropic goals. Whenever we assist with tax planning for these families, charitable planning is almost always a part of the conversation. Sometimes, there’s a component of charitable planning where the purpose is to bring the family together around a shared vision for the community’s future. This can be done in a way that can create a legacy for your family.
In the past few years, has the charitable focus of the community changed?
Chattanooga is, and has always been, much more philanthropic than many other towns of its size. That’s why I think the Community Foundation has been so successful — it’s in a town with a rich history of people giving back. While there hasn’t necessarily been a shift around people changing their philanthropic philosophy, we should continue educating individuals regarding the importance of philanthropy and efficient and effective ways of doing it. The Community Foundation does a great job of connecting donors and their families, when appropriate, with those opportunities to see how their philanthropic dollars are invested.
This conversation is one in a series produced in partnership with the Community Foundation. For more information, visit CFGC.org