Lean on us: Five reasons to call the FM Area Foundation
In an economic and legislative environment full of unpredictability, we encourage you to tap the knowledgeable team at the FM Area Foundation–perhaps even more than you have in the past. If you’ve already established a donor-advised or other type of fund at the FM Area Foundation, you’re familiar with many of the ways we make charitable […]
Navigating new laws: Opportunities for 2025
It’s more important than ever to stay informed about how changes in the tax law may affect your charitable giving. The recently-passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) creates challenges as well as opportunities for structuring your philanthropy. We encourage you to reach out to your attorney, CPA, and financial advisor to evaluate how the […]
Fall Professional Advisors Education and Social Event, featuring Bryan Clontz, Charitable Solutions
Featured Speaker: Bryan Clontz Bryan is the founder and President of Charitable Solutions, LLC, specializing in non-cash asset receipt and liquidation, gift annuity reinsurance brokerage, gift annuity risk management consulting, emergency assistance funds, as well as business, virtual currency, and life insurance appraisals/audits. He also serves as Senior Partner of Ekstrom Alley Clontz, a community […]
“It’s so easy”: How the FM Area Foundation makes giving such a pleasure
As individuals, families, and businesses get more involved in charitable giving, it’s not uncommon to become overwhelmed with all the options for supporting favorite charities. Plus, it can be hard to know what really makes a difference. The FM Area Foundation is here to help make charitable giving easy, flexible, and effective. Our team loves […]
One Big Beautiful Bill Act: Three Insights for Philanthropy
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025, after the House of Representatives approved the Senate’s changes to H.R. 1, which passed the House by a narrow margin in May. The OBBBA, with nearly 900 pages of provisions, reshapes policy across major sectors of the U.S. […]
QCDs: Soon there may be more to love
If you are 70 ½ and older, by now you’ve likely heard about a charitable giving tool called a Qualified Charitable Distribution (“QCD”), allowing you to direct a distribution from your IRA to an eligible charity, such as a designated fund, unrestricted fund, or field-of-interest fund at the FM Area Foundation. With a 2025 limit […]
Uncertain times: FAQs about charitable giving
Economic turbulence, inflation concerns, and a general sense of financial instability have made 2025 very challenging for a lot of people. As you consider how to support your favorite charities this year, take a moment to evaluate which assets may be best suited for your donations. In particular, the choice between giving cash or appreciated […]
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 […]
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 […]