Documentation is no joke and coffee is not milk: Two important tax rulings
At the FM Area Foundation, we value the role you play in helping individuals and families make the most of their charitable giving. That’s why we’re committed to providing regular updates on legal and policy developments that may impact your clients. In two recent rulings, the underlying message is consistent: Courts and the IRS continue […]
Case study: Charitable giving in a down market
As you guide clients through ongoing market uncertainty, you may be noticing that conversations are becoming as much about perspective as performance metrics. While headlines may or may not ultimately signal a prolonged downturn, the mere possibility of a bear market can influence how clients think about everything from retirement timelines to charitable giving. As […]
Why 2026 is different: Four tax-time reminders
It’s tax season, which means it’s a terrific time to ensure that your charitable giving goals are on track. If you’ve already established a fund at the FM Area Foundation, please reach out to discuss your charitable priorities for 2026 and beyond. If you’ve not yet established a fund but are considering doing so, we […]
Donor-advised funds: Bunching, abundance, and flexibility
Many people establish a donor-advised fund at the FM Area Foundation to simplify their giving, stay organized, and even engage the next generation in philanthropy. And, for some families, 2025 is the year when the donor-advised fund takes on an even bigger role in aligning charitable giving goals with changing tax laws. Even families who […]
Six tips for your year-end game plan
With only a few months left in 2025, it is important to evaluate your philanthropy sooner rather than later. Recently passed tax laws may throw a curveball into the financial planning strategies you’ve set in motion with your advisors. Here are six tips to help you and your attorney, CPA, and financial advisor evaluate whether […]
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. […]