Good news keeps coming: Retirement plans and charitable giving
You’ve no doubt noticed that Qualified Charitable Distributions (“QCDs”) continue to gain traction as one of the most practical and effective charitable planning tools for clients over age 70 ½. By allowing eligible clients to transfer funds directly from an IRA to a qualified charity without recognizing the distribution as taxable income, QCDs can help […]
Getting creative: Unusual noncash assets can make great gifts to charity
If you’re like many advisors, you may have discovered that often charitable giving conversations begin (and end!) with cash or appreciated stock. And of course, you are well aware that appreciated stock is an excellent choice for your clients to fund a donor-advised or other type of fund at the FM Area Foundation because it […]
Charitable giving, due diligence, and how the FM Area Foundation can help
Many people want to be thoughtful in their charitable giving, but that doesn’t always make the process easy. In fact, one of the most common challenges donors face is simply feeling confident in their decisions. With so many worthy organizations, urgent needs, and compelling opportunities, it can be difficult to know where to start—or how […]
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 […]
Giving Back Made Simple: Support Local Nonprofits Through the FM Area Caring Catalog
The season of giving is here, and there’s no better time to make a difference in your community. The FM Area Caring Catalog will soon be live, providing a unique opportunity to support 25 incredible local nonprofits from the comfort of your home! From December 2 to 13, the Caring Catalog offers a simple and […]
Generational impact, with or without children
At the FM Area Foundation, we’re honored to work with our donors and fund holders to achieve a wide range of charitable giving priorities that often involve multiple charitable giving vehicles. It’s not uncommon, for example, for an individual’s or couple’s “portfolio” of philanthropy with the community foundation to look something like this: A donor-advised […]
Fostering trust and making a difference
Many people are not aware of the extent to which America’s charitable organizations help improve the quality of life in our communities. From social services to the arts, virtually every aspect of our lives is touched by the work of nonprofits. Indeed, the gifts Americans give to charity every year total more than $557 billion and provide critical support […]
This may be your best move yet
If you’ve already established a donor-advised fund at the FM Area Foundation, you can understand why it’s become such a popular tool for organizing your family’s giving and serving as a springboard for so many other ways to make a difference in our region. Recently, we’ve talked with a lot of donors who work with the FM […]
Giving to others gives us lots of reasons to smile
The FM Area Foundation is honored to serve at the center of your philanthropy. Whether you’ve established a donor-advised or other type of fund, arranged for a bequest to a fund, the FM Area Foundation itself, or both, our team strives to help you organize your giving to make it easy and convenient. If you’ve […]
Six for the summer: Mid-year reminders about charitable giving
Donate appreciated stock to your fund at the community foundation. Yes, yes, we absolutely understand how easy it is to write a check when you want to boost your donor-advised or other type of fund at the FM Area Foundation. If you can remember to pause before you pull out your pen, though, considering whether […]