Every day, the Community Foundation works with attorneys, CPAs, and financial advisors to help clients support the charities and causes they care about. Often, those conversations involve gifts of appreciated noncash assets—and this is great because of the potential tax benefits. Appreciated stock may be the first noncash asset that comes to mind, but a client’s portfolio can include many other types of investments that deserve a closer look when charitable giving is part of the plan.

Government securities are a good example. Although clients may think of these investments as a single asset category, “government securities” actually encompasses a surprisingly broad range of holdings, including Treasury bills (T-bills), Treasury notes, Treasury bonds, Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS), Series EE and Series I savings bonds, and securities issued by federal agencies and government-sponsored enterprises.

Why does that matter for charitable planning? It matters because not all government securities are created equal where charitable giving is concerned. Here are a few points to keep in mind:

—Government securities can differ significantly in how they generate income, whether they are marketable or transferable, how they are valued, and how their interest or appreciation is taxed. As a result, a charitable strategy that works for one type of government security may not work for another. And even when a government security can be transferred directly to charity, the tax results may be quite different from those associated with the more familiar gift of appreciated stock.

—This dynamic is especially striking when comparing marketable Treasury securities, which may be transferable to charity, with savings bonds, which present very different transfer and income tax issues and may be more interesting in estate planning than as lifetime charitable gifts.
 
—Marketable Treasury securities may be used for charitable giving, but advisors will want to look carefully at the particular security before recommending a strategy. Transfer and charitable acceptance considerations come into play, as do valuation and tax considerations. The security’s holding period, basis, fair market value, and the character of its return can all be relevant because Treasury securities may generate interest or original issue discount rather than the long-term capital appreciation that makes gifts of highly appreciated stock such a familiar charitable planning technique.

—Savings bonds present an even more distinctive situation. Unlike appreciated stock, savings bonds generally are not well suited to a straightforward lifetime charitable gift because transferring the bonds may trigger recognition of previously deferred interest.. Series EE and Series I savings bonds accumulate interest that is subject to federal income tax, and many owners defer reporting that interest until the bonds are redeemed or mature. If a client simply cashes in savings bonds during life and then contributes the proceeds to charity, the client generally recognizes the accumulated interest. In other words, the strategy does not offer the same tax advantage that may be available when a client contributes appreciated publicly traded stock directly to charity. 

—This does not mean savings bonds should be ignored in charitable planning. Quite the opposite: They may be especially interesting in the overall context of a client’s estate plan. This is because accumulated interest on savings bonds can constitute income in respect of a decedent, or IRD. That means leaving savings bonds to individual beneficiaries can carry an income tax consequence in addition to transferring the underlying asset. That IRD characteristic can make savings bonds worth considering in charitable estate planning because a qualified charitable organization generally is not subject to federal income tax on income it receives in furtherance of its exempt purposes. For a client who has held savings bonds for many years, this creates a good reason to identify those assets during the estate planning process and consider whether they may be better suited for charitable purposes than other assets the client intends to leave to family members.

The larger lesson is one advisors encounter frequently in charitable planning: The asset matters! Two investments that look similar on a client’s balance sheet can produce very different tax and charitable planning results.

For all of these reasons and more, the Community Foundation team welcomes a call early in the process. If your client owns Treasury securities, savings bonds, or other noncash assets and has charitable intentions, please reach out before the client takes action. We are happy to work alongside you to explore whether the asset can be accepted, how a potential gift might be structured, and how the Community Foundation can help your client achieve charitable goals while you and the client’s other advisors address the legal, tax, and financial considerations. 

Thank you for the opportunity to help you serve your clients!

​

In 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives adopted a resolution supporting the designation of National Estate Planning Awareness Week, observed each October. You’ve likely heard of this, and you may know that October 19 through 25 is the week in 2026. Chances are, though, you’ve not recently (or ever) looked at the actual resolution. The preamble outlines several reasons why estate planning deserves this annual spotlight.

​Here are three worth noting:

—“Whereas careful estate planning can greatly assist Americans in preserving assets built over a lifetime for the benefit of family, heirs, or charities.”

—“Whereas estate planning involves many considerations, including safekeeping of important documents, documentation of assets, operation of law in the various States, preparation of legal instruments, insurance, availability of trust arrangements, charitable giving, inter vivos care of the benefactor, and other important factors.”

—“Whereas alternatives to disposition of assets after death, such as planned gift-giving, may accomplish a benefactor’s goal of providing for his or her family and favorite charities.”

What’s especially noteworthy is the intentional inclusion of charitable giving throughout the resolution. For attorneys, CPAs, and financial advisors, National Estate Planning Awareness Week is a good time to remind yourself to ask each client a question that can open an important dialogue sometimes overlooked in the estate planning process: 

“Are there charitable causes you would like to include in your estate plan?” 

Sounds simple, right? It’s just thirteen words. Still, advisors may not address charitable giving as consistently or thoroughly as clients would like, according to the 2026 TPI Study of the Philanthropic Conversation, which surveyed high-net-worth clients and wealth advisors, trust and estate attorneys, accountants, and other tax professionals. 

Here’s what stands out in the findings:

—80% of HNW clients agreed that advisors have an obligation to engage them in conversations about charitable activity. 

—93% of clients who discussed philanthropy with advisors considered the advisor's role important. 

—While 99% were satisfied overall, only 61% reported being very satisfied with charitable planning discussions. 

The key takeaway: There’s room to go deeper! Keep in mind that even clients who have never thought of themselves as philanthropists may welcome the opportunity to fully discuss and structure their charitable intentions beyond their lifetimes, such as through a charitable bequest to a favorite organization or a fund at the community foundation, or by naming a charity as the beneficiary of retirement assets. Raising the subject in more than a cursory way can also lead to broader conversations about family, values, getting the next generation involved, and legacy—conversations that deepen your understanding of what matters to your clients. 

So ask the thirteen-word question—“Are there charitable causes you would like to include in your estate plan?”—but don’t stop there. If the client answers “yes,” listen closely to what they say. A smart next step in the conversation is to suggest that you involve the Community Foundation team as a sounding board. Our experienced professionals are here to help you and your client review giving vehicles and approaches that align with the client’s intentions while you continue to guide the overall legal, tax, and financial planning.

The team at the Community Foundation wants to be your first call whenever the subject of charitable giving arises with a client. Indeed, five of our favorite words to hear from tax and estate planning advisors are “Could you help us with …” We look forward to hearing from you!

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If August’s Make-A-Will Month feels like it was just yesterday, you may be wondering whether National Estate Planning Awareness Week from October 19 through 25 is simply another opportunity to deliver the same message. Fortunately, there is an important distinction—and one that can make October especially useful for you and other nonprofits. A will is only one component of a complete estate plan. Retirement accounts, life insurance policies, bank and brokerage accounts, real estate, and other assets may pass outside a will altogether through beneficiary designations or because they are titled jointly or in the name of a trust. Estate planning gives donors an opportunity to think more broadly about how best to use their assets to support the people and causes they care about.

That makes National Estate Planning Awareness Week a natural opportunity to build on—not repeat—the conversations you may have started during Make-A-Will Month. Instead of simply reminding supporters to create or update a will, October gives you a chance to encourage them to look at the bigger picture and consider whether their estate plans fully reflect the people and causes they care about.

You do not need a sophisticated planned giving program—or even a dedicated planned giving staff member—to participate. A few simple, well-timed communications can introduce the idea of legacy giving to donors who may never have considered it before, while also reminding longtime supporters to make sure their charitable plans are up to date.

Keep the message focused on mission rather than technical details. Help donors imagine how a gift made through their estate could extend the impact of the generosity they demonstrate today, and encourage them to work with their professional advisors to determine the approach that is right for them.

Here is a simple five-point plan for making the most of National Estate Planning Awareness Week:

Put legacy giving in front of your donors.

Start with the basics. Send an email or include a short article in your October newsletter reminding donors that an estate plan can provide for both the people and the causes they care about. This is also an opportunity to broaden the conversation beyond wills by mentioning that charitable gifts can come through trusts, retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and other assets with beneficiary designations. You do not need to explain how each option works. Simply let supporters know that your organization welcomes legacy gifts.

Make sure donors can find legacy giving information on your website.

Take a few minutes to look at your website from a donor’s perspective. Is there an easy-to-find page explaining that donors can support your organization through their estate plans? If not, National Estate Planning Awareness Week is a good reason to add one. Include the appropriate organization name and contact information so donors and their advisors know whom to contact with questions.

Tell a story about the future.

Planned giving is ultimately about impact, not estate planning documents. Use a social media post, donor story, or newsletter feature to illustrate what a legacy gift could make possible. Connect tomorrow’s gift to today’s mission: What could a donor help sustain, protect, expand, or accomplish for the next generation?

Invite donors to tell you about their plans.

Some of your most loyal supporters may already have included your organization in their estate plans without telling you. Give them an easy opportunity to let you know. The invitation can be simple: “If you have included our organization in your estate plan, we’d be honored to hear from you so we can thank you and better understand your wishes.” You may discover legacy donors you did not know you had.

Make legacy giving an ongoing conversation.

Do not let the subject disappear when Estate Planning Awareness Week ends. Look for natural opportunities throughout the year to mention legacy giving alongside other ways donors support your mission. Repetition does not have to mean repeating the same message. Make-A-Will Month might focus on creating or updating a will; Estate Planning Awareness Week can emphasize the broader plan; another communication might focus on beneficiary designations or the long-term impact of a legacy gift. Together, these messages can gradually make planned giving a familiar part of the way your organization talks about philanthropy.

And remember that you do not need to become an estate planning expert yourself. Your role is to open the door to the conversation, not to provide legal, tax, or financial advice. Your Community Foundation can be a sounding board as you become more comfortable talking about legacy giving, encounter questions about charitable giving vehicles, or think about ways to incorporate planned giving naturally into your organization’s ongoing donor communications.

Please reach out anytime to the team at the Community Foundation! We are honored to work alongside the nonprofit organizations making such a difference in our region. Thank you for all you do!

​

Donor-advised funds have become an increasingly visible part of charitable giving, and DAF Day offers nonprofits a timely reason to make sure donors know they can use these funds to support the organizations they care about.
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But making the most of DAF Day on October 8 does not require a complicated campaign—or a sudden push to become a donor-advised fund expert. Instead, think of the day as another opportunity to communicate clearly with donors, make giving easy, and keep your organization’s mission front and center. 

Consider these three tips for DAF Day 2026:

Make sure donors know you accept gifts from donor-advised funds.

Duh, right? This sounds simple, but it is an important first step. A donor may have money available in a donor-advised fund without realizing that your organization can receive a grant from it.

Take a look at your website, giving page, email communications, and other donor materials. Is giving through a donor-advised fund mentioned anywhere? If not, DAF Day is a good reason to add a simple reminder.

You do not need to explain the mechanics. A sentence such as, “You can also support our mission by recommending a grant from your donor-advised fund,” may be enough to prompt a donor who already has a donor-advised fund to consider using it.

Connect donor-advised fund giving to your mission—not to the giving vehicle.

DAF Day may be about donor-advised funds, but your communications should still be focused on your organization’s work and the many, many ways donors can support it. Accordingly, rather than making the giving vehicle the centerpiece of your message, show donors what their generosity in any form can accomplish. Share a story, highlight a current need, describe an opportunity, or remind supporters what their gifts have made possible. Then include donor-advised funds as an option alongside the many other ways people can provide support—gifts of stock, Qualified Charitable Distributions from IRAs (for donors 70½ and older), gifts through an estate plan, and so much more.
This keeps the emphasis where it belongs: on the donor’s charitable intentions and your mission. A donor-advised fund is simply one tool a donor may choose to put those intentions into action.

Use DAF Day as a conversation starter.

Not every communication, for DAF Day or otherwise, needs to include an immediate ask. DAF Day can simply provide an opening for broader conversations with donors about their philanthropy. For example, a longtime supporter may have established a donor-advised fund as part of a broader financial or estate plan. Another donor may be interested in making a larger gift but has not considered whether assets already set aside for charity could be part of the solution. Still another may appreciate a reminder to review the charitable funds available to them as year-end approaches.

The goal is not to assume that every donor has a donor-advised fund—or that a donor-advised fund is the right giving tool for every donor. Instead, use the occasion to invite conversation and remind supporters that there are many ways to be generous.

Keep the Community Foundation team in your philanthropic network

As you prepare for DAF Day, as always, the community foundation team is a useful sounding board for general questions about charitable giving through donor-advised funds and the philanthropic landscape in our community. Remember, though, that donor relationships and fund information are confidential. The community foundation cannot share information about which donors have donor-advised funds, encourage particular fund holders to support a particular organization, or provide a shortcut to securing donor-advised fund grants.

And that is actually an important feature of the relationship. Donors trust the community foundation to honor their privacy and charitable intentions, just as they trust nonprofits to steward their gifts well. And that’s good for everyone. Donor-advised funds often inspire and facilitate charitable giving that never would have happened without this useful tool. 

So approach DAF Day for what it is: an opportunity to make donors aware of another way to support the causes they already care about—including your organization. Make it easy for donors to give, keep the focus on your mission, and use the occasion to strengthen the charitable conversations that matter all year long.

​

“It seems like the more I give the more I get, and that is the way it is supposed to go in life.”

--Dolly Parton

Isn’t it wonderful when donors live by that motto? Even if you’re quite certain your donors enjoy giving to your organization, you’ll still likely be hit with waves of uncertainty from time to time. For instance, a capital campaign, milestone anniversary, major facility project, or other special initiative can create an exciting opportunity to invite your most committed donors to make unusually significant gifts. But it can also create an uncomfortable question for fundraising teams: If we ask a donor to give big now, are we jeopardizing the annual—and perhaps even planned—gifts we hope they'll make later?

It's a legitimate concern, particularly as donors navigate a changing tax environment. With the higher standard deduction making it harder for some taxpayers to realize an income tax benefit from charitable gifts in any single year, donors and their advisors may increasingly consider savvy tax planning strategies such as "bunching" multiple years of charitable contributions into one tax year. This can make giving patterns look different from the steady annual gifts nonprofits have traditionally encouraged. 

The answer isn't to shy away from transformational asks. Instead, think of a major gift as one part of a donor’s long-term relationship with your organization—not the finish line. 
Here are four ways to do it.

Talk about the donor's whole giving picture—not just the campaign.

When you're seeking a significant campaign gift, it is tempting to focus every conversation on the immediate goal: the new building, endowment initiative, anniversary campaign, or other pressing priority.

But your most engaged donors likely care about more than a project. Ask how they envision supporting your mission over the next several years. What programs matter most to them? What do they hope their philanthropy accomplishes? Is creating a legacy important to them?

Those questions can open the door to a broader conversation about annual, campaign, and planned giving. Some donors might make substantial campaign commitments while maintaining annual support, for example. Others might decide that a particularly large current gift means annual giving needs to look different for a few years—but also make commitments through their estate plans.
There isn't one correct combination. The important thing is to have the conversation.

Don't mistake a change in giving pattern for a change in commitment.

Tax considerations may influence the timing, amount, and type of charitable gifts donors make. For example, a donor who historically wrote a check every December might instead combine several years of giving into a larger contribution in a single year, potentially using appreciated assets or a donor-advised fund. That means your stewardship systems need to be ready to accommodate these opportunities. 

Another example is a loyal donor who pauses giving for a calendar year. Are they no longer interested in supporting your mission? Or perhaps they simply have funded several years of charitable giving at once. Make sure your development team understands the donor's intentions and records them appropriately so that an intentional change in giving strategy doesn't accidentally trigger a "lapsed donor" communication.

Most importantly, don't let a pause in gifts become a pause in the relationship. Continue sharing impact, expressing appreciation, inviting participation, and keeping donors connected to your work.

Keep planned giving in the conversation—even after a very large gift.

One of the easiest mistakes to make after receiving a major campaign gift is assuming you've already asked enough of the donor. Planned giving doesn't have to be another immediate ask. Instead, it can be part of an ongoing conversation about what the donor wants their philanthropy to accomplish over a lifetime and beyond.

A donor who makes a significant campaign gift today may also be an excellent legacy giving candidate, whether they name your organization as a beneficiary of an IRA, include a charitable provision in an estate plan, establish an endowment, or explore another planned giving strategy with their tax, legal, and financial advisors.

Indeed, a major campaign gift may signal something important: This donor cares deeply about your mission. That's a reason to continue the relationship, not retreat from it.

Think lifetime relationship, not individual transaction.

Campaign fundraising naturally creates urgency. There are goals to meet, deadlines approaching, and perhaps a very large thermometer somewhere that everyone would like to see reach the top. Your donors, however, aren't campaign transactions.

The strongest fundraising strategy considers how annual giving, major giving, and planned giving fit together across a donor's lifetime. Ask boldly when the opportunity warrants it, but accompany those asks with thoughtful conversations about the donor's broader goals. And after the campaign gift arrives, keep stewarding, listening, and talking about the future.

A big gift today doesn't have to diminish support tomorrow. Handled thoughtfully, it can become another chapter in a much longer story of generosity. Please reach out to the Community Foundation anytime. We are happy to be a sounding board! 

​

Let’s face it—aging is inevitable. Whether you are 20, 40, 60, or 80, the reality is that every day you are getting older! And the population as a whole is getting older, too. The share of Americans aged 65 and older grew from 12.4% in 2004 to roughly 18%, with projections estimating that roughly one in five Americans will be 65 or older by 2030. What’s more, in the United States 37% of extended families of older adults include an older relative with dementia.

Against this backdrop, many families have conversations about wills, trusts, financial accounts, health care wishes, and other aspects of planning for the future. Charitable intentions deserve a place in those conversations, too, and, unfortunately, in many cases charitable intentions are overlooked.

No matter how old you are, it’s wise to consider your long-term charitable giving plans. Perhaps you have supported the same organizations for decades and want that support to continue. Maybe there is a particular cause you hope your family will continue to champion. Or perhaps you simply want a portion of your estate to remain in the community, available to address needs and opportunities that may arise long after your lifetime.

Talking about those wishes now—and putting an appropriate structure around them—can reduce uncertainty later. Here are a few reasons to do so:

Reduce the gray areas in the event of future cognitive decline.

Planning ahead becomes particularly important as we age. Over time, health circumstances can change, and some people experience changes in memory or decision-making capacity. Families may also find themselves taking a greater role in helping manage a loved one's financial affairs. That can create difficult gray areas when charitable intentions have not been clearly discussed or documented.
Imagine, for example, that a parent who has supported a particular organization for 30 years wants to make a significant gift later in life. Is the gift consistent with a long-standing charitable intention? Is it a new idea? Do family members understand why the organization is so important? If questions about capacity or outside influence have also emerged, even a perfectly legitimate charitable gift can become complicated.

Provide valuable context that will be essential later.

A documented charitable plan can help family members and advisors understand not only where you want charitable dollars to go, but why. Depending on your goals, that might include establishing a fund at the community foundation during your lifetime, documenting plans for a future charitable fund, including charitable provisions in your estate plan, or involving family members in giving while you can experience that philanthropy together.

Leave room for changes.

Planning ahead does not mean locking yourself into charitable decisions you can never change. Your interests may evolve. Organizations change. New community needs emerge. Your financial circumstances may change, too. Instead, the goal is clarity. By discussing your charitable intentions while you can fully participate in the conversation, you create a foundation that you, your family, and your advisors can build upon. You can revisit the plan as circumstances change and make adjustments when appropriate.

This can be especially meaningful when family members are included in conversations with the community foundation team. Conversations about charitable giving offer an opportunity to talk about much more than money. They can help children and grandchildren understand the experiences and values that shaped your generosity—and give them an opportunity to share what matters to them as well.

Plan early to avoid sticky situations in the first place. 

In some cases, financial institutions and professional advisors must follow certain procedures when questions arise about unusual transactions, diminished capacity, or possible financial exploitation. But even though there are important legal and financial safeguards designed to protect older adults from exploitation and undue influence, it’s much better to plan ahead and reduce the likelihood that your family will need to navigate those issues in the first place. Ideally, your family will not be trying to determine your charitable intentions for the first time after those questions arise. One of the most valuable things you can do is start the conversation early.

Reach out to the Community Foundation!

At any stage of your life, the Community Foundation team can help you explore questions such as: What do you want your giving to accomplish? Which organizations or causes are most important to you? Would you like your children or grandchildren involved? Should your charitable plan continue after your lifetime? And how much flexibility would you like your plan to have as organizations and community needs change? The answers can help you and your estate planning and tax advisors determine how charitable giving fits into your broader estate and financial plans—and help avoid challenges in the future. 

Planning ahead cannot eliminate every question the future may bring. But it can reduce the gray areas—and give the people you trust a much clearer roadmap for honoring the charitable intentions that matter to you.

​

Many families established private foundations years ago because they wanted to make a lasting difference in their communities. Those foundations have supported important causes, brought family members together around charitable giving, and created meaningful legacies.

Over time, though, circumstances can change. Children and grandchildren may live in different parts of the country. Board meetings become harder to schedule. Administrative responsibilities grow. Tax filings, investment oversight, recordkeeping, and compliance with complex rules can begin to feel like more work than anyone anticipated.

For many families, that's when it becomes worthwhile to ask an important question: “Would a donor-advised fund at the community foundation better serve our charitable goals?”

There's no one-size-fits-all answer, but if you're beginning to explore the possibility, here are a few steps to consider as you discuss the options with your family and your tax advisors.

Be realistic about what’s working and what’s not.

Start by taking an honest look at how well your private foundation is working today. Is it still helping your family accomplish what you hoped it would? Are family members actively engaged, or has the responsibility fallen to just one or two people? Sometimes the answer isn't that the private foundation has failed—it's simply that your family's needs have evolved. 

Consult the specialists.

Next, talk with your attorney, CPA, and financial advisors. Transitioning from a private foundation to a donor-advised fund involves important legal, tax, and financial considerations. Your advisors can help you evaluate the options and factors from a tax and legal perspective and determine whether the approach makes sense for your family's particular financial circumstances.

The Community Foundation is an important part of the conversation, too, even in the early stages. Be sure to introduce your advisors to the Community Foundation as soon as you can. Our team can explain how a donor-advised fund works, answer questions about the transition process, and, importantly, help you explore ways to preserve the identity and charitable purpose your family has built over the years. In many cases, the donor-advised fund can even continue under a familiar name, allowing your family's charitable legacy to live on in a meaningful way.

Identify decisionmakers.

As you consider the transition, the Community Foundation team can help you think about who should serve as advisors to the new fund. One of the strengths of a donor-advised fund is its flexibility. You can name family members to recommend grants today and designate successor advisors to help involve future generations in your family's philanthropy. In many ways, the advisors to a donor-advised fund resemble a private foundation’s board of directors. 

Move to implementation.

If your family decides to move forward, the transition itself often can be handled efficiently, although it requires careful planning. Generally, the private foundation distributes its remaining assets to the community foundation to establish or add to the donor-advised fund after reserving sufficient funds to pay final accounting, legal, tax preparation, and other closing expenses. Your advisors will then help complete the foundation's final tax return and any required state filings.

Carry on with your good work!

Once the transition is complete, your family can continue supporting the organizations and causes you care about—often with significantly less administrative responsibility. Rather than spending time on compliance and paperwork, you can devote more energy to what likely inspired the foundation in the first place: making a difference.

Every family's situation is unique, and moving from a private foundation to a donor-advised fund is an important decision. If you're wondering whether it might be the right fit for your family, we'd be delighted to visit with you and your advisors. The Community Foundation is here to help you evaluate your options and continue building the charitable legacy you've worked so hard to create.​

When the curtain rises on The Wizard of Oz this fall, audiences will see a beloved classic brought to life. Behind the scenes, however, another story is unfolding: one of mentorship, friendship, and community.

For the second year, the Empire Theatre Company is bringing performers ranging in age from seven to seventy together on one stage. While intergenerational casts are uncommon, Managing Artistic Director Kathy Coudle-King believes they're one of the company's greatest strengths.
"It doesn't happen very often that people of different ages do anything together unless they're in a family," she said. "I really like the idea of blending the two together."

That vision has created an environment where experienced performers naturally share their knowledge with younger cast members, while younger actors bring fresh energy and enthusiasm to every rehearsal.

Last year, those relationships developed on their own. This year, the company is intentionally encouraging them by introducing an informal buddy system for The Wizard of Oz. Cast members will be paired across generations to practice lines, get to know one another, and learn from each other's experiences.

"We want to put things in place to help facilitate those relationships," Kathy said.

One memorable example came during last year's production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Mark Diers, who portrayed Grandpa Joe, shared the stage with young actors playing the other grandparents. During rehearsals, the children occasionally helped him remember lines, while he shared his own experience with them. Today, those young performers still recognize him around town and stop to say hello.

"It's pretty special," Kathy said. "You create something together over several weeks, and those relationships continue afterward."

Those connections are exactly what the Empire Theatre Company hopes to foster. Beyond producing quality theater, the organization wants audiences and performers to see the value of learning from one another across generations.

Support from the Community Foundation's Iseminger Fund for the Arts Grant Program has helped make that possible. The funding allows the company to produce larger musicals with expansive casts while providing a stipend to every performer and crew member.

"We pay everyone," Kathy explained. "It's our way of saying, 'We value your time, your talent, and, in many cases, your training."

That support has made productions like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and this year's The Wizard of Oz possible, creating opportunities for dozens of local performers to participate in meaningful artistic experiences.

This season also introduces the company's "From Page to Stage" theme, celebrating stories that began as books. Through a partnership with the Grand Forks Public Library, community members can read each featured book before seeing it performed on stage, creating a unique connection between literature and live theater.

For Kathy, however, the heart of theater has always been about bringing people together.

"It's community," she said. "People from all different parts of the community come together to experience the same story. Our neighbors are right up on stage telling it."

Whether it's a child discovering a love for theater, an experienced performer passing along years of wisdom, or an audience member seeing themselves represented on stage, the Empire Theatre Company is creating more than productions. They're creating connections that strengthen the community long after the final curtain falls.

Thanks to support from partners like the Community Foundation, those connections continue to grow, one rehearsal, one performance, and one generation at a time.​

Welcome to the Great Wealth Transfer! This much-cited era, happening right now, is reportedly the time when trillions of dollars will pass from one generation to the next over the coming decades in various forms, ranging from cash and stock to real estate and business interests.

Understandably, most conversations and commentary about this transfer focus on the assets themselves. Who will inherit the family business? What will happen to the investment portfolio? How should the estate plan be structured? Naturally, those are important questions! But many families are beginning to ask something deeper: "What values do we want to pass along, too?"

A recent Kiplinger article exploring the Great Wealth Transfer makes the point that the strongest family legacies are built not simply by transferring assets, but by intentionally passing along values of generosity through shared charitable experiences and conversations. It encourages families to involve younger generations in philanthropy early, making giving a collaborative, multigenerational experience rather than a one-time financial transaction. 

For many people, philanthropy is one of those values. If you’re among them, here’s food for thought:

—A charitable legacy isn't simply about the gifts that are made after you're gone. It's also about helping your children and grandchildren understand why giving has been important throughout your life. In many ways, the conversations, traditions, and shared decisions surrounding philanthropy can become just as meaningful as the financial inheritance itself. 

—Now is a great time to begin mapping out your legacy if you’ve not done so already. For starters, August is widely recognized as Make-A-Will Month, in large part because the downtime of late summer offers a perfect window to address open estate planning issues.

—According to the latest Giving USA report, charitable bequests totaled more than $62 billion in 2025, increasing nearly 20% over the previous year. Bequests were the fastest-growing source of charitable giving, underscoring how important estate gifts have become to nonprofit organizations and the communities they serve. 

—A charitable bequest can be surprisingly simple. You might leave a specific dollar amount or a percentage of your estate to your donor-advised fund, or designate another type of charitable fund at the Community Foundation, to continue supporting the organizations and community priorities that matter most to you.

—For example, by naming your children or other loved ones as successor advisors of your donor-advised fund at the Community Foundation, you're inviting them to continue the family's tradition of generosity by recommending grants to the organizations and causes they believe will make a difference. This opportunity is itself a meaningful inheritance! 

—For individuals and couples with especially large estates, charitable planning also may reduce the federal estate tax ultimately borne by the estate, helping preserve more of the remaining assets for heirs. This consideration applies to relatively few families because the federal estate tax exemption is $15 million per individual in 2026, but when it does apply, it really matters because gifts and bequests to qualified charities generally are deductible in determining the taxable estate. Your attorney, CPA, and financial advisor can help determine whether estate tax planning is relevant to your particular circumstances. 

—Even when estate taxes are not a concern, a charitable bequest can still become one of the most meaningful gifts you make. You may, of course, provide for family members while also supporting the causes and organizations that have mattered throughout your life.

Estate plans are designed to transfer wealth. A charitable legacy has the power to transfer something even more lasting. The Community Foundation would be honored to work with you and your estate planning advisors to arrange charitable bequests, establish a donor-advised or other charitable fund, and build a legacy your family can continue long into the future.

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When “back to school” enters your vocabulary, you know the rest of the year will go by in a flash! That’s why it’s important to check in on your charitable goals for 2026 before fall gets into full swing. Otherwise, you may find yourself scrambling to synchronize tax planning, financial planning, and gifts to favorite nonprofits. 

In particular, a technique called “bunching” is important to consider as you get a jump on your year-end charitable giving plans.

Even just a few years ago, not many people had heard of “bunching.” That’s because the standard deduction (which itself has an interesting history) under the Internal Revenue Code’s income tax rules was much lower than it is now. Many donors easily met the criteria to itemize deductions—including their charitable contributions—on their income tax returns. That changed after the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 significantly increased the standard deduction starting in 2018. 

Further changes to the charitable deduction rules under 2025’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act increased the complexity of charitable deduction thresholds because the new law, effective for 2026, imposes a 0.5% of adjusted gross income (AGI) floor for itemized charitable deductions and, for taxpayers in the highest tax bracket, a 35% cap on the tax benefit of those deductions. All of this means that thoughtful charitable planning is more important than ever.

What you need to know is that "bunching" charitable gifts may be useful to you, and it’s something you ought to discuss with your tax and financial advisors as soon as you can. The essence of bunching is that, rather than making similar-sized charitable donations every year, you would combine two or more years of charitable gifts up front into a single tax year. The reason this is useful is because by concentrating gifts into one year, you may be able to accumulate enough deductions to make itemizing more beneficial than claiming the standard deduction and achieve a greater tax benefit than you would by making smaller annual gifts and taking the standard deduction. 

A donor-advised fund at the Community Foundation makes bunching especially attractive. For example, you can contribute several years' worth of charitable gifts to your donor-advised fund this year, generally be eligible to claim an income tax deduction for the current year, subject to applicable limitations, and then recommend grants to your favorite nonprofits over several future years. This allows your favorite organizations to continue receiving steady support while simultaneously maximizing your own tax benefits.  

Remember, too, that your donor-advised fund at the Community Foundation accepts appreciated securities, which may provide additional tax advantages in the right circumstances. That’s because you may be able to avoid capital gains tax on the highly appreciated stock you contribute to your donor-advised fund. 

The takeaway here is that now is the time to begin conversations with your tax and financial advisors about bunching and about your charitable plans in general. Please loop in the Community Foundation team! We are honored to serve as a sounding board as you carry out your charitable wishes. The community foundation is your home for charitable giving, and we always welcome a conversation! 

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Naturally, your organization understands the importance of planned giving. But, if you are like many organizations, figuring out a way to track it and measure success leaves you scratching your head. 
That's understandable. Unlike an annual campaign, planned giving is built on relationships that often develop over many years. A donor may first express interest today but not finalize an estate gift until years later. That long timeline can make it difficult to know whether your efforts are paying off.
The good news is that you don't have to wait decades to measure success. Instead of focusing only on completed bequests, begin tracking the activities that lead to future legacy gifts—which will also generate plenty of annual giving along the way!

Here are a few best practices to consider.

Document “meaningful conversations,” not just commitments and gifts received

One of the best indicators of a healthy planned giving program is the number of meaningful conversations your team is having with donors about legacy giving. Ask yourselves, “Did this conversation make it more likely that this donor will include our organization in their estate plan?” Every discussion represents an opportunity to better understand a donor's goals, while also planting the seeds for a future gift and securing lifetime gifts.

Celebrate documented intentions

When a donor informs your organization that they have included you in their estate plan—or signs a letter of intent—celebrate that milestone. Tracking these commitments helps you understand how your legacy program is growing long before gifts are ultimately realized.

Focus on stewardship activities

Activity drives results! And the work doesn't end when a donor makes a legacy commitment. You can generate ongoing meaningful conversations through in-person meetings (even if just 10 minutes!), phone calls, invitations to special events, and even super warm email exchanges that move the relationship forward. 

Check your marketing materials

Successful planned giving programs are supported throughout the organization and across the team. Review your website each year to ensure legacy giving information is easy to find. Include planned giving stories in newsletters and annual reports. Add brief legacy giving messages to event materials, email signatures, and social media throughout the year. Small, consistent reminders help normalize conversations about charitable bequests.

Set activity goals you can achieve—and also challenge you

You don't need dozens of metrics to get started. Even setting goals for one or two types of metrics—most importantly, meaningful conversations—can provide valuable insight into your progress from year to year. Again, the activity will drive results! Over time, multiple conversations with a donor, even if brief, stand a good chance of paying off in the long run. Imagine what could happen if everyone on your team held meaningful conversations with a wide range of donors throughout the year—and appropriately introduced legacy giving during those conversations.

Keep it simple!

We cannot stress this enough! If you are spending so much time tracking and reporting that it is eating into precious time available for proactive meaningful conversations with donors, something is wrong. It is not a badge of honor to show your board a rocket-scientist-level tracking plan for stewardship, planned giving, and legacy giving, or any type of giving, for that matter. Measure what matters, and what matters are activities that build relationships.
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The bottom line is that what gets measured gets managed. By establishing a few simple tracking systems today, your organization can build accountability, celebrate progress, and create a stronger planned giving program that will benefit your mission for generations to come. 

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The Community Foundation team appreciates that so many attorneys, CPAs, and financial advisors recommend to clients age 70 ½ and older that they take advantage of Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from traditional IRAs. Your client can direct a QCD to a designated fund, field-of-interest fund, scholarship fund, or unrestricted fund at the community foundation, or even directly to support the community foundation’s overall mission and work.  

Because QCDs are so useful, we’ve got our eyes on pending legislation that might expand the ways your clients can use them. Specifically, Congress continues to consider two bipartisan charitable giving bills: the Charity Parity Act, which would permit QCDs directly from employer-sponsored retirement plans, such as 401(k)s, in addition to traditional IRAs, and the IRA Charitable Rollover Facilitation and Enhancement Act, which would extend QCD eligibility to donor-advised funds. Neither proposal has advanced beyond committee, but both are still active and of course could be very useful to expand charitable giving options if enacted. 

We will keep you posted! 

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​Grand Forks, ND – The Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Region in partnership with the Knight Foundation Donor-Advised Fund have awarded a $53,000 grant to the Town Square Farmers Market to advance their exploration of a downtown food hub and public market hall. This year-long initiative will complete a comprehensive site feasibility study while providing targeted technical assistance to help local producers build the capacity, infrastructure, and operational knowledge needed to scale sustainably.

"When we invest in local food systems, we're building economic resilience across the region. This grant removes real barriers that prevent small-scale producers from building lasting capacity," says Becca Baumbach, President & CEO of the Community Foundation. “By combining site development with technical support, the Town Square Farmers Market is creating the conditions for long-term success.”

The proposed food hub will serve as a year-round community destination where local entrepreneurs can launch and grow their businesses while building meaningful connections throughout the region. “It has the potential to become much more than a place to shop for local products,” said Dawn Rognerud, President of the Town Square Farmers Market. “We envision it as a vibrant community destination where small entrepreneurs can launch and grow their businesses with the support, resources, and connections they need to succeed.”

Since 2000, the Town Square Farmers Market has welcomed thousands of visitors each summer while supporting local growers, food producers, artisans, and small businesses. The proposed food hub builds on that legacy by creating a permanent space that expands economic opportunity and strengthens connections between rural producers and their consumers.

About the Town Square Farmers Market 

The Town Square Farmers Market inspires and nurtures a healthy community by building a local and sustainable food economy in a vibrant, educational, and culturally expansive marketplace. Since 2000, the market has connected residents with local growers, artisans, food producers, and community organizations while serving as one of downtown Grand Forks’ signature community gathering places. 

About the Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Region

The Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Region is a nonprofit, community foundation created by and for the people of the region to encourage a spirit of philanthropy. Working in partnership with individuals, families, businesses, nonprofits, and trusted advisers, the Foundation manages charitable funds and provides grants to qualified nonprofit organizations, public entities, and other charitable causes. Since 1998, the Foundation has granted $16 million to create stronger, more vibrant communities across the middle and upper Red River Valley region. Learn more about the Community Foundation and its work at gofoundation.org.

You’ve no doubt seen the report that in 2025, Americans contributed an estimated $617 billion to support nonprofits. Philanthropy is going strong! It’s also likely not a surprise that donor-advised funds continue to play a growing role in charitable giving. Across the country, more donors are using donor-advised funds to organize their philanthropy, make grants to favorite nonprofit organizations, and involve family members in giving decisions. The Community Foundation offers donor-advised funds to families, individuals, and businesses to help maximize the dollars that ultimately flow to support a wide range of charities, including local organizations like yours that are making a difference every single day. 

Yet despite the growth of these vehicles, many nonprofit organizations still find them somewhat mysterious. One of the most common frustrations nonprofit leaders express to the Community Foundation team is that, because grants arrive from the Community Foundation rather than directly from the donor, nonprofit leaders may feel disconnected from the people whose generosity is supporting their mission.

The good news is that donor-advised fund donors are often exactly the type of supporters that you and other nonprofits want to cultivate. Research and industry reports consistently show that donor-advised fund donors tend to be thoughtful philanthropists who are actively engaged in charitable planning and frequently work with attorneys, CPAs, and financial advisors to maximize their impact. 

The team at the Community Foundation is always happy to have a conversation about why donor-advised funds are actually not a barrier to your donor relationships, but rather an important tool that fits into a donor's broader charitable giving strategy. We look forward to a conversation! In the meantime, here are three ways you can strengthen your relationships with donor-advised fund donors.

1. Recognize that a donor-advised fund is a giving tool—not a donor

A donor-advised fund is simply a vehicle for charitable giving. Behind every donor-advised fund grant are real people who have intentionally recommended support for your organization.

When a grant arrives from a donor-advised fund at the Community Foundation, try to avoid treating it as a transaction from a financial institution. Instead, look for opportunities to identify and thank the individual donor whenever possible. Even when the grant itself comes from the Community Foundation, the charitable decision originated with a person who believes in your mission.

2. Make it easy for donor-advised fund donors to support your organization

Many nonprofits now include information on their websites and donation materials about how donors can give from their donor-advised funds. Simple reminders that your organization accepts grants from donor-advised funds can help donors understand that this option is available.

You may also want to ensure that your organization's legal name, tax identification number, and contact information are easy for the team at the Community Foundation to locate. Our team needs this information to receive and process grant requests from donor-advised fund holders.

3. Steward donor-advised fund donors the same way you steward other donors

Some organizations unintentionally place less emphasis on donor-advised fund gifts because the donation arrives through an intermediary. This can be a missed opportunity.

Donor-advised fund donors should receive meaningful stewardship, impact reporting, invitations to engage, and ongoing communication whenever possible. The fact that a donor uses a donor-advised fund does not make the relationship less personal. In many cases, these donors are among an organization's most committed supporters. 

In addition, it’s important to know that the Community Foundation gives donors access to resources, information, and education about local organizations and how to make maximum impact. We encourage donors’ active involvement with the community and the nonprofits they support. We take seriously our role as a convenor and champion for local quality of life. 

The bottom line
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As charitable giving tools become increasingly sophisticated, nonprofits in our community can benefit from understanding the tools donors use to support the causes they care about. Donor-advised funds are no longer a niche giving vehicle. They have become an important part of modern philanthropy and are likely to remain so for years to come. The Community Foundation is always happy to help your organization stay informed about charitable giving trends and identify opportunities to strengthen donor engagement. We look forward to our next conversation! ​

At the Community Foundation, we regularly hear from nonprofit leaders that getting your board engaged in the right ways can be a challenge. And that’s on top of the already high bar to recruit board members in the first place! Finding—and motivating—qualified people who are passionate about your mission, willing to volunteer their time, and prepared to serve as ambassadors for the organization can feel harder than ever.

At the same time, the expectations placed on nonprofit boards continue to grow. Today's board members are not simply expected to attend meetings and vote on motions. They are expected to provide oversight, ensure financial accountability, uphold the organization's mission, support fundraising efforts, and help position the nonprofit for long-term success. 

As you evaluate your board's effectiveness, consider whether members are equipped to contribute in several key areas:

Governance and oversight

Board members should understand the organization's finances, review materials before meetings, ask thoughtful questions, and participate actively in decision-making. Good governance requires more than just showing up. It requires paying attention, and it requires genuine engagement.

Mission and strategy

Strong boards help keep the organization focused on its purpose. They understand the mission, participate in strategic planning, and help leadership navigate challenges and opportunities while remaining true to the organization's core values. Strong boards also understand the difference between board and staff roles and, accordingly, empower the staff to carry out the organization’s operations. 

Fundraising and relationship building

Not every board member needs to ask for gifts. However, every board member should be willing to help advance the organization's development efforts. Sometimes that means making a personal contribution or arranging for a legacy gift. Sometimes it means hosting an event, introducing a friend to the executive director, or helping identify prospective funders. The most successful nonprofit boards understand that fundraising is a shared responsibility. 

Community connections

Many nonprofit organizations recruit board members because of the relationships they bring to the table. A board member's network can help create introductions to major donors, family foundations, corporate partners, elected officials, and community influencers. These connections can be invaluable in expanding awareness and support for the mission.

Advocacy and ambassadorship

Board members are often among a nonprofit's most visible representatives. Their willingness to speak positively about the organization, attend events, and share the impact of its work can significantly strengthen public trust and community engagement.

Remember that an “elevator pitch” is not always the best vehicle to support board member advocacy. An elevator pitch tends to get too long, often sounds “canned,” and sometimes is developed through a lengthy process of “analysis paralysis.” Instead, encourage board members to simply speak from the heart about why they joined the board and then introduce interested people to you and your team for follow up.

Building the board your organization needs

Many nonprofits inherit board structures that were created years ago under very different circumstances. As organizations grow, it is worth periodically asking whether the board's composition aligns with current needs. Do you have members with financial expertise? Legal expertise? Fundraising experience? Community connections? Relationships with prospective donors and funders? A board composed entirely of passionate supporters may still have important gaps that need to be filled.

The good news is that intentional recruitment, orientation, and ongoing board development can help close those gaps. The goal is not simply to fill seats around a table. The goal is to build a board that can provide strong governance while also helping your organization expand its impact. 

As always, the Community Foundation is happy to serve as a sounding board as your organization evaluates board development, fundraising strategy, and long-term sustainability. Please reach out!

Many nonprofit organizations are fortunate to be surrounded by long-time supporters whose generosity has sustained the mission for years, and sometimes decades. These donors often remain deeply committed to the causes they care about well into their later years. As the donor population ages, however, nonprofit professionals increasingly find themselves navigating situations that require both sensitivity and caution.

Most interactions with older donors are straightforward and positive. But occasionally, a donor's behavior, requests, or circumstances may raise concerns about cognitive decline, undue influence, financial exploitation, or simply a misunderstanding about charitable intentions. Of course, you and other nonprofit staff are not expected to diagnose medical conditions or serve as financial advisors. Still, because fundraisers often develop trusted, long-term relationships with donors, you may be among the first people to notice that something seems different.

Here are five signs that may warrant a thoughtful pause and a closer look.

1. The donor seems unusually confused about previous gifts or commitments

A donor who suddenly cannot remember making recent gifts, repeatedly asks the same questions, or appears confused about longstanding charitable arrangements may be experiencing challenges that deserve attention.

Of course, everyone occasionally forgets details. The key is whether the behavior represents a noticeable change from the donor's normal pattern. If so, it may be wise to slow the conversation, provide written summaries for the donor and for your files, and encourage the donor to review decisions with a donor’s trusted family members or legal advisors when appropriate.

2. Grant recommendations or gift requests are dramatically different from past behavior

People's interests evolve, and donors certainly have the right to support new causes. However, a sudden and dramatic shift in giving priorities can sometimes be a signal that additional questions are warranted.

For example, a donor who has supported local education initiatives for decades may unexpectedly request a large gift to an unfamiliar national disease research organization they recently encountered through a phone solicitation, email, or direct-mail campaign. While the gift may be entirely legitimate, nonprofit professionals should feel comfortable asking open-ended questions to ensure the donor understands the mission of the organization they wish to support and how the gift aligns with their goals. 

3. A new individual is speaking for the donor or directing decisions

Family members, caregivers, and advisors often play appropriate and important roles in supporting older adults. At the same time, nonprofit staff should pay attention when a previously independent donor is suddenly accompanied by someone who insists on controlling conversations, answering questions on the donor's behalf, or directing charitable decisions.

The presence of a helper is not itself a concern. What matters is whether the donor appears comfortable, informed, and genuinely engaged in the decision-making process. When possible, organizations should make reasonable efforts to hear directly from the donor and confirm that charitable decisions reflect the donor's wishes, and then prepare appropriate documentation.

4. The donor mentions suspicious financial activity or unusual solicitations

Older adults are frequently targeted by scams, fraudulent charities, deceptive sweepstakes, and aggressive fundraising tactics. During conversations, donors may mention receiving constant requests for money, confusing invoices, urgent appeals, or pressure from unfamiliar organizations.

These comments often provide an opportunity for education and support. Certainly nonprofit staff should avoid giving legal or financial advice, but if you are faced with this situation, you can encourage donors to discuss concerns with trusted family members, attorneys, accountants, financial advisors, or representatives of the Community Foundation. Helping donors access reliable resources can be an important form of stewardship.

5. Important documentation has not been reviewed in many years

Beneficiary designations, estate plans, powers of attorney, and charitable provisions often remain untouched for years, even as circumstances change. Aging donors may assume that documents signed long ago still accurately reflect their wishes.

A gentle reminder to review charitable plans periodically can help donors ensure that their intentions remain current and clearly documented. This is particularly important when donor-advised funds, endowment gifts, planned gifts, or other long-term charitable arrangements are involved.

So what can you do?

The best course of action is to prepare yourself well before any red flags appear. Encouraging donors to introduce you to their advisors and other family members early in the relationship gives you plenty of time to build natural connections with the people they trust. Those relationships can be invaluable if concerns later arise. 

Of course, you will approach any situation with an aging donor with empathy and respect. Most older donors remain fully capable of making thoughtful charitable decisions and should be treated accordingly. At the same time, organizations understandably feel obligated to exercise good judgment when circumstances raise questions. If you are already encountering red flag situations and you don’t have a connection with trusted people in a donor’s life, consult your colleagues and potentially even your organization’s legal advisors.

The bottom line is that this is a very tricky area where donor stewardship, situational awareness, and confidentiality considerations overlap. Being prepared ahead of time is well worth your attention.  

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." — John Lennon

You’ve certainly heard that well-known quote. But have you thought about it in the context of your charitable giving? It’s common to create a charitable giving plan during a particular season of life. Perhaps you established a donor-advised fund after selling a business, included charitable gifts in your estate plan when your children were young, or began supporting favorite causes after retirement.

Over time, however, your life changes—and so does the community around you. Families grow, financial circumstances shift, priorities evolve, and our community faces new challenges. Organizations you care about may expand their missions or collaborate with other nonprofits tackling similar needs. Just as financial and estate plans benefit from periodic review, your charitable plan deserves an occasional checkup as well.

If it has been a few years since you've revisited your charitable goals, consider reaching out to the Community Foundation team. We’d be happy to serve as a sounding board as you ask yourself a few questions.

Examples include:

Are the causes I support today the same causes I cared about ten years ago?

Many donors find that their interests evolve over time. You may have become passionate about education, environmental conservation, healthcare, animal welfare, faith-based initiatives, or other causes that were not top priorities years ago.

Does my charitable plan still reflect my family's values?

Children and grandchildren often develop interests and perspectives of their own. Many families discover that charitable giving provides a meaningful opportunity to discuss values, generosity, and community impact across generations. The result is that families want to adjust their charitable priorities to reflect the interests of the family’s next generation. 

Have I reviewed my retirement account beneficiary designations recently?

Perhaps you’ve already worked with your advisors to update beneficiary designations of your retirement plans. Even so, it’s a good idea to take a look at those documents every few years to be sure nothing is missing. And if you’ve not yet named your fund at the Community Foundation or another charity as a beneficiary of IRAs and other retirement accounts, it’s worth exploring because of the potentially meaningful tax benefits of these arrangements. Be sure to ask your tax advisor about whether this technique could be a fit for you, and reach out to the Community Foundation team to help set your intentions in motion.

Do I know how local needs have changed?

Communities are constantly evolving and ours is no exception. While many longstanding needs remain, new challenges and opportunities often emerge over time. New opportunities to make a difference pop up every year, and learning about them can inspire you to get involved. The Community Foundation is a valuable resource to provide not only the big picture of what’s going on in our region but also specific examples of how nonprofits are meeting the most pressing community needs. 

Am I making this as easy on myself as possible?

You want to experience the joy of giving—not add administrative layers! Many donors appreciate opportunities to simplify their philanthropy. Whether through a donor-advised fund, another type of fund at the Community Foundation, or a combination of funds designed to achieve different goals, the right structure can make giving more organized and enjoyable.

Remember that updating your charitable plan does not necessarily require major changes. Sometimes a simple conversation with the Community Foundation team is enough to confirm that everything remains on track. Other times, donors discover opportunities to strengthen their impact, engage family members, or support causes in new ways.

The Community Foundation is always happy to help you review your charitable goals and explore ways to ensure that your philanthropy continues to reflect your values, your family, and your hopes for the future. We look forward to our next conversation!