When to talk to your Clients about charitable giving?

Significant giving opportunities often arise when clients are making major business, personal and financial decisions. Many people are already thinking about leaving a charitable legacy to their community, others may eagerly embrace the suggestion. You can help clients realize their charitable goals by listening for charitable giving opportunities, explaining options and suggesting solutions.

Selecting the right assets to give, as well as the appropriate timing, will maximize the charitable impact and provide the maximum financial benefits for your client.

Year-end tax planning

Your client wants to give back to the community, but doesn’t have time to identify the most deserving charities. A contribution to the Unrestricted fund offers long term impact and provides the NCCF with flexibility to respond to the ever changing needs in the County.  Or perhaps, your client would perfer to remain more involved. A donor-advised fund through the Community Foundation offers an immediate tax deduction and the ability recommend  uses for the gift for years to come.

Preserving an estate

Estate planning identifies significant taxes going to the IRS, but your client wants to direct dollars for local benefit. We can work with you and your client to reduce the taxable estate through a charitable bequest or other planned gift. Your client’s gift will create a legacy of caring in the community that stays true to his or her charitable intent forever.

Retirement planning

Your client (and spouse) need an income for life, but want to support their charitable interests. A life income gift (such as a charitable remainder trust) to the Community Foundation will pay income potentially for life. Upon your client’s death, the gift can be distributed by the Community Foundation in accordance with his or her charitable interests.

Establishing a private foundation

Your client is thinking about establishing a private foundation, but is looking for a simpler, more cost-efficient method. We can help you and your client analyze the pros and cons of creating a donor advised fund or a private foundation.

Achieving financial goals

Your client is facing substantial capital gains taxes and would like to avoid or defer the taxes. An outright gift to the Community Foundation can have important financial benefits.

Closely held stock

Your client’s net worth is primarily tied up in a closely held company, but he or she desires to make a contribution to the community. Establishing a donor-advised fund or planned gift makes your client eligible for a tax deduction measured by the fair market value of appreciated stock (less any planned gift value).

Sale of a business

Your client owns highly appreciated stock in a company that is about to be acquired. We can work with you to suggest several ways to structure a charitable gift (including the use of planned giving techniques) to help your client reduce capital gains tax and maximize impact to Nicholas County.

Substantial retirement assets

Your client wants to leave his/her estate to community and family but has substantial assets in retirement accounts. We can help you and your client evaluate the most beneficial asset distribution to minimize taxes, giving more to his or her heirs and preserving charitable intent.

Strategic giving

Your client wants to express his or her passion for giving back to community in specific ways. You and your client can work with our grantmaking experts to understand community needs and programs and then direct gift dollars to make the greatest impact.