Gifts to your fund: Breaking through the paradox of choice
As you consider your 2025 giving priorities, you’ll no doubt recall that writing a check to favorite charities is not the only way to support the causes you love. But sometimes, it seems easiest to reach for the checkbook because it’s overwhelming to think about all the options. You might be experiencing what’s known as […]
Just the facts: Five tax reminders for charitable giving
Tax time is a great reason to review the basics! At the FM Area Foundation, we aim to help make the tax aspects of your charitable giving as easy and effective as possible. If you’ve already established a donor-advised or other type of fund at the FM Area Foundation, or if you’re considering starting a […]
FM Area Foundation Distinguished Board of Directors Scholarship
The FM Area Foundation is committed to giving back to our local nonprofits. In an effort to commemorate distinguished board members who have completed three full terms with our organization, we have decided that starting in 2025 and in the year proceeding with these individuals’ dedicated service, we will establish a $500 Scholarship for individuals […]
For clients who love local causes, the FM Area Foundation is the place
Most of your philanthropic clients likely support various charities year after year. The causes they support represent a range of motivations, including personal experience, a role as a volunteer or board member, family tradition, or alignment with values and community priorities. Many of the charitable organizations your clients support are local. That’s important to note […]
“If this, then that”: Scenarios to consider as tax time approaches
As attorneys, CPAs, and financial advisors, you are well aware that you have clients’ attention when tax season rolls around. This makes it a great time to cover tax planning strategies for the current year and beyond. To help incorporate charitable giving topics into your tax season client conversations, we’ve put together tips to address […]
Doing Your Due Diligence
You’re ready to roll into a new year, including staying involved with the charities you love, whether as a donor, volunteer, board member or all of the above. The team at the FM Area Foundation is here to support your charitable endeavors, no matter where your passions lie. Our region is full of charitable organizations […]
It’s a family thing
If you’ve not yet involved your children or grandchildren in your charitable giving, this may be the year to consider it! Children of all ages can benefit from learning even just a little bit about philanthropy and how charities improve the quality of life for everyone. Indeed, many parents and grandparents believe that some level […]
If this, then that: Your charitable planning cheat sheet
At the FM Area Foundation, we’ve recently been asked by attorneys, CPAs, and financial advisors for “cheat sheet” resources to make it easy to determine which type of charitable planning tool is best for a particular client. We love that idea! We’re always happy to be a sounding board for any client situation where charitable […]
QCDs: $105,000, $108,000, and more things to smile about
As you and other attorneys, CPAs, and financial advisors put the finishing touches on implementing clients’ year-end charitable giving plans, you may have a moment when it hits you: “Wait, how exactly does a Qualified Charitable Distribution work?” That’s a great question, and you are not alone if you’re asking. Even though QCDs are well-covered […]
Estate tax planning: What’s your next move?
As attorneys, CPAs, and financial advisors, you’re aware of potentially significant upcoming changes to the tax laws that could impact your high net-worth clients. Whether or not a post-election Congress takes action to prevent the estate tax exemption sunset at the end of 2025 will potentially affect how you design your clients’ wealth transfer strategies. During this […]