We're deeply grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with you, especially as we look forward to the coming months. At the Community Foundation, we're dedicated to serving as your trusted partner, ensuring the seamless execution of your clients' charitable giving plans. With a focus on tax efficiency and community impact, our team is committed to supporting your mission of creating positive change.

Sincerely,  

Ryan Douglas  

Senior Charitable Giving Advisor 

“Bunching”:

Through a DAF at the Community Foundation, your clients may be able to concentrate charitable contributions into particular tax years and benefit from the deductions above and beyond the standard deduction. This is called “bunching,” and a DAF can help your client take advantage of itemizing tax deductions, while still allowing them to provide steady support to nonprofits in years that follow the itemizing year. 

For example, if you have a client that gives $10,000 per year to charitable causes, they may not break through the standard deduction threshold and write those gifts off on their tax returns. However, if they gave multiple years’ worth of donations into a DAF in a single tax year, say $40,000, then they would break through the standard deduction and write that gift off on their taxes. Then, the donor could continue to give $10,000 per year for four years as they normally would. 

Click here to learn how Cynthia incorporated shares of stock into her charitable giving legacy. 

Privately-Held Business Interests:

Do you have a client that is a small business owner or key employee with privately-held shares (i.e. S-Corp, LLC, etc.)? As that client approaches milestone moments, such as retirement, a gift of a portion of those interests into a DAF could be an effective strategy for tax savings, as well as helping to build up charitable capital for their future years’ giving needs. The Community Foundation has decades of expertise in accepting these types of gifts and stands ready to walk alongside you and your clients in these conversations.

Community Foundation Events 

We host regular professional development, training opportunities and community education events on a wide variety of relevant topics. Keep an eye on our events page throughout the year for opportunities for you and your clients to join.  

The 2024 National Study on Donor Advised Funds 

Interested in learning more about nationwide trends and statistics relating to donor advised funds? This national study surveyed 111 DAF providers covering nine years of activity of more than 50,000 accounts. 

Key Takeaways:  

- Did you know that nearly half (49%) of all DAFs had total assets of less than $50,000 at the end of 2021, and only 7% had balances of $1 million or more? DAFs are not just for high-net-worth individuals and families, these are effective tools for many of your clients. 

- Nearly 70% of the DAFs in this study have a succession plan naming family members. Knowing that, DAFs could be a great opportunity for engaging the next generation and building those relationships now to increase client retention for the future. 

Celebration Luncheon  

Thursday, May 2, 2024 | 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. 

Community Choice Convention Center Grand Ballroom 

Fee: $30 individual | $300 table of 10  

Join us Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the Community Choice Convention Center Ballroom to celebrate the many ways the Community Foundation is promoting charitable giving, connecting donors with causes they care about and providing leadership on important community issues...we're simply better together. 

Questions? Please contact Barb Hobson at hobson@desmoinesfoundation.org.

On Board: The Basics of Being an Effective Board Member   

Friday, May 10, 2024 | 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. 

Community Foundation C3 Center  

Fee: $10 

This interactive session is designed to introduce participants to the roles of nonprofits and their boards and empower you to map out a meaningful plan for your terms. Through video, storytelling and hands-on workbook exercises, we will explore the dimensions of commitment, governance and fiduciary duties. Alongside fellow leaders, develop a learning plan that will enhance your experience and build on your abilities as an ambassador for your organization. 

Questions? Please contact Jenny McCloud at mccloud@desmoinesfoundation.org.

DonorConnect: Growing Workforce Housing for Vibrant Communities  

Thursday, June 6 | 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. 

Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity Office  

Free

Workforce housing that meets demand, aligns with employment needs and is conveniently located near jobs and transportation is key to ensuring accessible housing options in our communities. Join us for a conversation with community partners about how workforce housing initiatives are essential to building vibrant, thriving neighborhoods. Currently, the supply of workforce housing has lagged behind regional population and job growth, which has resulted in a higher cost of living in the fastest-growing job centers in the metro. We will explore how prioritizing workforce housing will ensure existing residents continue to live in the communities they love, while welcoming new residents to these growing neighborhoods throughout the Central Iowa region. 

Questions? Please contact Barb Hobson at hobson@desmoinesfoundation.org.

The Community Foundation works with professional advisors to help you enhance your relationships with clients by offering local, personalized charitable giving services.   

"Being a Charitable Investment Partner has helped deepen client relationships by understanding what is most important to them and implementing strategies efficiently. The Community Foundation has been a huge value add for our clients.” 

- Trent Burley, CFP®, RICP®, Director of Planning, McGill Junge Wealth Management  

Whether serving as a local charitable giving resource or maximizing tax savings, our team works as part of your team to offer giving opportunities to meet clients’ financial and charitable goals. Whether in person or virtually, I am eager to connect and discuss how we can help meet and exceed your clients' charitable giving goals.