Estate planners, financial consultants, and other professional advisors are often asked to suggest the best vehicles for charitable giving. Community foundations offer you and your clients several distinct advantages, including:

Simplicity. Creating a charitable fund or supporting organization at a community foundation is the easy, low-cost alternative to forming and administering a private foundation.

Tax benefits. Community foundations offer maximum federal and state tax benefits; we can work with you to create specialized charitable instruments tailored to your estate and financial plans.

Flexibility. Community foundations accept a wide variety of gifts – including cash, stocks, real estate, and other assets. We can help individuals, families, and businesses create a fund that addresses virtually any charitable purpose.

Community impact. You and your clients can work closely with our professional program staff; we'll help you understand community needs, assess local organizations, and direct gift dollars to high-impact areas.

Stability. Community foundations are professional organizations that meet published standards of performance for investment practices, donor services, and grantmaking practices.

Have you seen our ads?

• Should your clients give through their community foundation? Estate and financial advisors can consider these three reasons. (1.5M PDF)
• How can I recommend charity without recommending a charity? Talk to your clients about giving through their local community foundation. (1.4M PDF)
• Is giving through a community foundation right for your clients? Seven questions for estate and financial advisors. (1.4M PDF)

Additional resources you can print for future reference:

• Listening for charitable opportunities - Helping your clients achieve their charitable goals. (565k PDF)
• Charitable Instruments - A variety of giving methods tailored to your unique situation. (1M PDF)
• Unearthing charitable dreams - Donating real estate through community foundations (467k PDF)