“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. […]
Easier than you might think: Moving a donor-advised fund to the community foundation
As you advise clients on charitable giving, you’re likely aware of the growing popularity of the donor-advised fund as a flexible, tax-efficient tool for philanthropy. Many families appreciate how donor-advised funds can streamline giving, foster family engagement, and serve as a launchpad for deeper community impact. Recently, we’ve engaged with many professional advisors—attorneys, accountants, and […]
Donating business interests: Why a fund at the community foundation is the ideal recipient
If your client base includes business owners, you probably weren’t surprised by this observation in a recent Wall Street Journal article about the “stealthy wealthy”: “Behind a paycheck, the largest source of income for the 1% highest earners in the U.S. isn’t being a partner at an investment bank or launching a one-in-a-million tech startup. […]
More questions than answers: Pending tax legislation
There’s little doubt that you’ve seen extensive news coverage of the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” (H.R. 1) that passed the House of Representatives by a 215-214 vote on May 22, 2025, and now moves to the Senate, where significant changes are expected before final passage. And that is the primary takeaway here: Significant changes are […]
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 […]
Generational shifts: Fulfilling clients’ charitable wishes
Chances are, you’ve already begun to notice that a major transfer of wealth is happening as your Baby Boomer clients establish financial and estate plans to pass their wealth to their Gen X and Millennial children. The dollars involved are eye-popping. Most attorneys, financial advisors, and CPAs have seen the Cerulli study’s estimate that $124 trillion in wealth […]
Weighing the options: Private foundation or donor-advised fund?
When working on the charitable components of a client’s estate or financial plan, one of the first areas you’ll likely explore is the structure. Certainly, you are familiar with both private foundations and donor-advised funds as useful charitable giving tools. Before you jump into one or the other for a particular client, though, it’s essential […]
Trust matters: Your clients’ go-to resource for community impact
As attorneys, CPAs, and financial advisors, you know that trust is the foundation of your relationships with clients. Your clients are seeking a similar level of trust with the people and organizations that help carry out their philanthropic wishes. Fortunately, trust in charities has shown an increase after a recent dip. According to the 2024 […]