Advisor Resources

Advisor Resources

Professional Advisors

It all starts with a simple question.

"Are there charitable or community needs you would like to consider?"

It is likely that many of your clients are already making annual gifts to support their favorite charitable organizations and may be interested in exploring the benefits, both personal and financial, of a planned gift — if asked or prompted.

As a professional advisor, you are in a unique position not only to serve the charitable objectives of your clients but also to significantly affect the quality of life in our community. Funds established today with the Frankenmuth Community Foundation will provide a basis for income in the future to meet the needs of our community.

Your greatest opportunities to help your clients maximize the personal benefits of giving occur when they are making major business, personal and financial decisions, such as:

  • Estate planning
  • Writing or revising a will
  • Sale of a business or other major asset
  • Retirement planning
  • At times of a financial windfall, such as an inheritance, a merger or acquisition

In many of these situations, an opportunity exists to provide special service to your client through a discussion of planned giving. You do not need to be an expert on charitable gift planning to make these opportunities available. One of the simplest and most important things you can do to help your clients enjoy the benefits of giving is to simply open a dialogue with that one simple question.

Benefits of working with FCF

Partner with us!
Creating a plan for charitable giving that addresses both your client's financial and charitable needs is no small task. The opportunity you have to help your clients achieve their philanthropic goals is both a privilege and a challenge. The Frankenmuth Community Foundation will work in tandem with you to educate your client about the many possibilities of charitable giving.

We have a reputation for integrity and service to donors. The Frankenmuth Community Foundation does not provide legal or financial advice. Donors are encouraged to work directly with their legal and financial advisors when crafting their charitable giving plans.

Identifying Donors

How can you determine which clients may be interested in giving through the Frankenmuth Community Foundation?

If you can answer "yes" to any of the following questions about your client, you can be assured that the Frankenmuth Community Foundation is right for them.

  • Are they committed to the Frankenmuth Community?
  • Do they give to more than one charitable cause?
  • Are they interested in creating a personal or family legacy in Frankenmuth?
  • Do they want to receive the maximum tax benefit for their charitable contributions?

Being Aware of Charitable Opportunities

As a trusted professional advisor, your clients look to you for solid advice about the management and investment of their assets. You provide a valuable service to them by being aware of and helping them identify financial situations when a charitable gift would be in their best interest. 

Some examples:
  • Year-end tax planning reveals a need for additional tax deductions.
  • Estate planning activities show the possibility of significant estate taxes.
  • A community-minded client is uneasy donating the principal of retirement savings.
  • Your client shows interest in creating a private foundation
  • Your client owns highly appreciated stock in a company that is about to be acquired.
  • Your client has substantial IRA and 401(k) assets as part of his/her estate mix.

Resources for advisors

Through our partnership with the Council of Michigan Foundations, we are happy to offer the following materials to assist you in your discussions of charitable giving with your clients.
Giving Advice on Charitable Giving Listening for Charitable Opporunities Optimizing Charitable Giving Deciding to Give

Ways to Give

These handouts go into further detail about several of the most popular planned giving strategies available.
Overview Planned Gift Notification Form Bequest by Will Charitable Gift Annuity Appreciated Stock Charitable Remainder Trust Real Estate Life Insurance Beneficiary Designation IRA Donation

Sample Legal Language

Legal language templates regarding donor gifts and the creation of funds are provided to assist you in creating these legal documents. 

These sample documents were developed by Duane L. Tarnacki, Esq., counsel for the Council of Michigan Foundations and attorney with Clark Hill P.L.C. in Detroit, Michigan.

The documents were made possible through the community foundation project of the Council of Michigan Foundations supported by grants from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and the Council of Michigan Foundations' community foundation members.
Life Insurance IRA Donation
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