Unlock the unexpected power of regret to grow your charitable giving
Did you know the FM Area Foundation provides “regret mitigation” services? We’re only half kidding! Not surprisingly, financial regrets are common, with those related to personal finances among the most frequent. Of recently surveyed American retirees, 75% wished they’d started saving earlier, and 62% wished they’d saved more money for their golden years. On the […]
Bridging the gaps in multi-generational family philanthropy
Differing views within families are nothing new; differing views about nearly anything and everything is centuries old. For generations and generations, common topics of disagreement have included popular culture, politics, religion, and parenting, just to name a few. Frequently outranking all is money—how it’s made, spent, or saved—or not. How benevolent families share money, whether […]
Have your cake and eat it too: A dual approach to charitable giving
The change of seasons is often an opportunity to catch our breath and reassess. We’re done with taxes, really done with cold weather (hopefully), and we feel a sense of renewal as our attention turns to gardening and other growth-oriented, warm-weather pursuits. And many of us are wondering how in the world it can already […]
Hidden no more: Designated funds and Field-of-Interest funds
Most attorneys, accountants, and financial advisors are well-aware of donor-advised funds and the reasons behind their popularity. Especially when a donor-advised fund is established at the FM Area Foundation, this vehicle is an excellent way for your clients to organize their charitable giving and get even more connected to the causes they care about. Enter […]
Proposed legislation: Is better deductibility back on the table?
Charitable deduction legislation ebbs and flows. Proposed reform efforts come and go, resulting in the occasional change to the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code governing charitable giving. At the same time, popular charitable giving techniques evolve and grow over time, frequently creating new opportunities for your clients to support the causes they love. For […]
Private foundations and donor-advised funds: Debunking three myths
If you’ve been involved with charitable giving for a few years, you’ve no doubt become familiar with both private foundations and donor-advised funds and their popularity as charitable giving tools. As is often the case with tax and estate planning-related topics, the differences between private foundations and donor-advised funds are sometimes the subject of confusion […]
It’s not luck… It’s because of you and this community!
With St. Patrick’s Day right around the corner and the old sentiment “Luck ‘O The Irish,” I came across an article talking about where success originates. Is it luck…serendipity…or hard work? Quite the question to ponder when one looks back on where you’ve been. I feel so fortunate to be a part of the FM […]
Client conversations: Why your 2023 agenda must include charitable giving
No doubt, your news feed includes far more
It’s not too early for spring cleaning: Make this the year to help clients get organized
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 […]
Stay the course: Intentional philanthropy is critical in a downturn
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 […]