Insights and Information

Help Your Clients Give Generously-and Retire Comfortably
Many of the nation's 78 million baby boomers have reached the perfect time in their lives to develop a charitable giving plan. They may be preparing for retirement, but their flower-child roots are still firmly committed to improving their communities through donations and volunteer work. After all, using philanthropy for positive goals appeals to boomers. Born between 1946 and 1964, this generation grew up during the turbulent 1960s and 1970s. It was a period of upheaval, war, and social and political activism. As youngsters, many members of this generation participated in causes, such as civil rights and women's liberation, that reshaped America.

Efforts to Help Children in Poverty
Poverty is a difficult cycle to break and may be linked to other social problems in a community. Working with the Blue Mountain Community Foundation allows a donor to make a contribution and make a difference-while taking take the tax benefit that year and leaving the administration of the funds to BMCF.

The Story of a Gift: Art With a Purpose
Council on Foundations and Community Foundations of America
When a benefactor donated a valuable art collection to a community foundation through a charitable remainder unitrust, he was able to fund important causes, leave a charitable legacy, and continue to draw an income for life.

Community Foundations as Knowledge Banks
Council on Foundations and Community Foundations of America
With years of experience working with local organizations, community foundations serve as knowledge banks on philanthropy in their communities and offer expertise to professional advisors. The knowledge can be as low-tech as, for example, an advisor calling a program officer to find out who’s doing great work in early-childhood development. On the other end of the spectrum, many community foundations have a searchable online database of opportunities in the community. Advisors can leverage this knowledge to deepen their relationships with existing clients.

Legacy Lessons: A Conversation with Harvard University's Charles W. Collier
As a nationally recognized expert in planned giving and family philanthropy, Harvard University’s Senior Philanthropic Advisor Charles W. Collier has worked with hundreds of individuals and families to help them discover the meaning of legacy and encourage the principle of generosity beyond the family unit. His book, Wealth in Families, is the culmination of years of research and experience exploring such questions.

In the conversation that follows, Collier discusses how advisors can better serve their clients by helping them focus more on the “whys” than the “how-tos” of their charitable giving.

Active Philanthropist or Passive Donor: Why Giving Profiles Matter
Published September 22, 2005 by the National Marketing Action Team (NMAT)
There is no one-size-fits-all philanthropy. Understanding the basic types of donors can help you steer your clients toward the appropriate charitable vehicles—and help them meet their financial goals. "Clients run the gamut—from very active donors, who give money, time and talent, to passive donors, who may write a single check at the end of the year," says David Bromelkamp, the President of Touchstone Investment Consultants in Minneapolis and an advisor to wealthy individuals and families.

The Case for Donating Retirement Assets
Council on Foundations and Community Foundations of America
When clients choose to make testamentary gifts to charity of retirement assets such as IRAs and 401(k) plans, they are able to significantly reduce the tax burden of their estate and tailor their donations to fit their charitable goals.

Partnering for Charity
Council on Foundations and Community Foundations of America
By collaborating with other attorneys, accountants, and financial planners, professional advisors can strengthen their relationships with clients, better understand the mechanics of philanthropy, and help educate the public about the importance of charitable giving.

Engaging Adult Children in Philanthropy
Council on Foundations and Community Foundations of America
Adult children can play a pivotal role in your clients’ philanthropy. By engaging grown children, you’ll help build greater family unity while strengthening your firm’s ties to clients and their kids—potentially securing new business in the process.

The Appeal of Charitable Lead Trusts
Council on Foundations and Community Foundations of America
Charitable lead trusts offer your clients a dependable vehicle for supporting their favorite charities, a way to preserve their wealth for the next generation, and significant tax advantages, especially when interest rates are relatively low.