Spotting opportunity: Moving from a commercial fund to the FM Area Foundation Although a donor-advised fund, which is becoming a more and more popular charitable planning tool, can be established through a national financial institution, the community foundation offers its donor-advised fund holders much broader services, more personal attention, and deeper connections to the nonprofits whose work is essential to effect positive community change. Unfortunately, many attorneys, accountants, and financial advisors are unaware that a donor-advised fund established at the community foundation is, in most cases, a far better fit for their clients than a donor-advised fund set up at a "commercial gift fund." When you meet with your clients about year-end planning, be sure to ask whether they've established a donor-advised fund and, if so, where it's housed. If a client's donor-advised fund is not at the FM Area Foundation but was established through a national provider, please call us. We would be happy to talk with you and your client about the ease and benefits of moving the donor-advised fund to the FM Area Foundation. The FM Area Foundation offers donor-advised fund holders the same tax and administrative benefits as a commercial gift fund, including: Online access to the donor-advised fund to view balances, contributions, and grants. Simple process for requesting grants to favorite charities. Streamlined tax reporting, often represented by just one letter to provide to an accountant at tax time, even when the donor-advised fund is used to support dozens of individual charities throughout the year. All back-office administration, tax receipts, recordkeeping, and other requirements for the donor-advised fund's 501(c)(3) status. Favorable tax-deductibility of contributions to the fund. Unlike standard commercial gift funds, though, the community foundation offers high-level, customized services to its donor-advised fund holders, including: Concierge-level service by knowledgeable staff to structure estate gifts to charities and accept gifts of appreciated stock or complex assets such as real estate or closely held stock. areafoundation.org
409 7th St S. Fargo, ND 58103