If this, then that: Your charitable planning cheat sheet
At the FM Area Foundation, we’ve recently been asked by attorneys, CPAs, and financial advisors for “cheat sheet” resources to make it easy to determine which type of charitable planning tool is best for a particular client. We love that idea! We’re always happy to be a sounding board for any client situation where charitable […]
QCDs: $105,000, $108,000, and more things to smile about
As you and other attorneys, CPAs, and financial advisors put the finishing touches on implementing clients’ year-end charitable giving plans, you may have a moment when it hits you: “Wait, how exactly does a Qualified Charitable Distribution work?” That’s a great question, and you are not alone if you’re asking. Even though QCDs are well-covered […]
Estate tax planning: What’s your next move?
As attorneys, CPAs, and financial advisors, you’re aware of potentially significant upcoming changes to the tax laws that could impact your high net-worth clients. Whether or not a post-election Congress takes action to prevent the estate tax exemption sunset at the end of 2025 will potentially affect how you design your clients’ wealth transfer strategies. During this […]
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 […]
Ring in the new year with new charitable giving tax laws
If you’ve been tracking federal legislation, you’re likely aware that on December 29, 2022, President Biden signed a $1.65 trillion-dollar omnibus spending bill known as the