No doubt, your news feed includes far more articles about philanthropy as a planning tool for your clients than it did just a few years ago. Charitable giving has always been an important subject of client discussions for attorneys, accountants, and financial advisors. What’s changed is that widespread coverage of both major charitable gifts and the ease of making online donations has prompted mor…

If you’re already dreading asking your clients to pull together their receipts and other documents for 2022 tax filings, this may be a good time to take proactive steps to avoid being in this same spot next year.  When it comes to charitable giving, your clients may find that organizing their giving through one or more funds at the community foundation will make their lives easier. Establishing a…

Your family may be among those taking their charitable giving budgets more seriously this year, given the stock market’s challenges, rising interest rates, economic concerns, and anticipated cash crunches. At the same time, not surprisingly, community needs tend to rise during uncertain economic times. As 2023 gets into full swing, inflation, housing challenges, and economic uncertainty are press…

If you’ve supported a particular charitable organization for many years and perhaps even served on its board of directors, you are likely familiar with some basic concepts of “trust-based philanthropy,” even if you didn’t know that’s what it is called. As a devoted supporter of the nonprofit organizations you love, you know that an organization’s chances of success are greatest when its leadershi…

Now is the time to share important reminders with your clients about year-end gifts. Time is indeed of the essence! Gifts of appreciated stock still shine  Giving in a roller coaster market may continue to be a real concern for many of your philanthropic clients, but remember, not all stocks are down. Gifts of appreciated stock to a donor-advised fund or another type of fund at the FM Area Found…

Qualified Charitable Distributions, or “QCDs,” are becoming a very popular financial and charitable planning tool. At the same time, QCDs are growing as the source of more and more confusion. Here are answers to the questions we’ve been asked most frequently this year by both advisors and donors. Be on the lookout for these and other client questions, and please do not hesitate to reach out to th…

As you prepare to gather with family and friends over the Thanksgiving holiday, we invite you to reach out to the team at the FM Area Foundation for suggestions on how to incorporate charitable giving into the festivities.   For example: –Take this opportunity to brush up on the rich history of charitable giving in America. –Consider asking each family member to conduct quick research on a comm…

In the classic book The Go-Giver: A Little Story about a Powerful Business Idea, authors Bob Burg and John Mann share how Joe, a young professional, uses unselfishness to ultimately find business success.   Among the philosophies:    –Your true worth is determined by how much more you give in value than you take in payment.   –Your income is determined by how many people you serve and how well …

Earlier this year, Bankrate and Psych Central released the Money and Mental Health study and, not surprisingly, a large number of people surveyed in the research reported that money has a negative impact on their mental health. Survey results varied across generations: Financial concerns psychologically impact 48 percent of Millennials, 46 percent of Generation X, and 40 percent of Generation Z. N…

During a routine check-in meeting, your client casually mentions that the client’s employer, a local company, was just acquired. The client and dozens of fellow employee shareholders are now flush with cash. “I’d like to use some of the money to give to charity,” the client tells you. “Let’s talk about a family fund at the FM Area Foundation.”  You try not to flinch as you mentally calculate the …