Looking Forward. Giving Back.

When and why do nonprofit organizations need an audit? Why should nonprofits NOT ALWAYS go with the cheapest auditor. And how cool is it that one of my two favorite CPAs is a farmer, and the other is an Improv mastermind? Join us in this episode of "Looking Forward. Giving Back." as we dive deep into the nonprofit audit with perspectives from both the auditor and auditee. Get advice on how best a nonprofit can prepare for an audit, what the right audit "fit" might be for your organization, and the importance of making sure your staff gets along with the auditing team! 

Many of my listeners have heard me use the phrase "philanthropic back office" when talking about the Community Foundation's relationship with professional advisors. In this episode, meet Ross Rettenmier, the financial advisor who coined that phrase many years ago! Hear about how Ross talks to clients about the benefits of charitable giving as part of overall planning. Learn why he believes these conversations can not only strengthen relationships with current clients, but lead to new referrals too. AND hear about Gonzaga basketball, exciting happenings on the Everett Waterfront, and the joy of grandkids in this latest episode of "Looking Forward. Giving Back."

What do Employment Law, Succession Planning, and Landlord/Tenant Rights have to do with working with women business owners in India? How has a local attorney used her commitment to community justice, child welfare, and a love for contracts to create a successful estate planning practice? And what does she feel is one of the most important responsibilities of professional advisors? Join me as I explore these questions and more with Snohomish estate planning attorney Paige Buurstra on this latest episode of "Looking Forward. Giving Back."

Philanthropic Advising is a thing! Philanthropic Advisors provide critical resources to professional advisors and their clients. Join us in this episode of "Looking Forward. Giving Back." as we welcome Stephanie Ellis Smith, Philanthropic Advisor and Founder of Phila Engaged Giving. Stepahanie shares all the ways philanthropic advisors can help attorneys, financial managers, and accountants strengthen their relationships with clients, and can play an important role in helping you become the most trusted advisor in your clients' estate, financial, and tax planning. 

What happens after an advisor refers a client to the Community Foundation of Snohomish County? What does "donor services" really mean? How can our team help your clients meet their perfect charitable "match"? (Think Match.com, but not in a creepy way ;-) ). Join us for a conversation with Angelique Leone, the Community Foundation's VP in charge of all things Donor Services. Hear about how she and we work with individuals and families by helping them make tax-smart donations today AND leave a meaningful generational legacy for tomorrow. Listen in, share your thoughts, and spread the word about charitable giving options on this episode of "Looking Forward. Giving Back."

Why is it critical that wealth managers understand that women are not a "niche market" in the financial services world? What are simple strategies advisors can use to meet clients' legacy and estate goals while protecting their assets? Where is the hottest jazz club in Hermosa Beach? Join me and CFP Rene Nourse of Urban Wealth Management as we discuss charitable and estate planning strategies, the unique value that a diverse, women-led firm brings to the world of wealth management....and jazz, lots of jazz in this latest episode of "Looking Forward. Giving Back."!

How has the SECURE Act changed critical aspects of estate planning? How can you use these changes to your client's advantage, helping them protect their assets AND their legacy at the same time? What are the key components of pre-planning and what are the dangers of not doing all of them? And why do dogs make such good running companions? Join me for another episode of "Looking Forward. Giving Back." as Attorney Chandra Lewnau, Partner at Wall Group Law in Edmonds, and I discuss all of this and more. 

What is the Community Foundation of Snohomish County's Nonprofit Services Program? How does our local knowledge and partnerships with nonprofits grow the impact of donor gifts and the grants they make? And why do we all need to take a lesson from Mrs. Lorraine Young (aka Nekya's mom) on how to become an expert "Pokémon Go Thrifter"? Join me in the latest episode of "Looking Forward. Giving Back." as CFSC's Director of Community Impact and Grantmaking, Nekya Johnson and I discuss community philanthropy, the crucial impact of equitable grantmaking, and how the Community Foundation connects donors to the charitable causes and nonprofits providing critical services throughout Snohomish County. Thanks for listening!

"Tax codes are not just for the 1%!" An important reminder from my latest podcast guest, Laird Norton Fiduciary Senior Analyst and Trust Guru Debra Smiley. Join me and Debra as we dig deep into the world of charitable remainder trusts and other income-generating gifts that can help your clients meet both immediate financial needs and future charitable goals. We'll also talk about how representation matters in the world of financial planning AND charitable giving. We'll discuss the importance of harnessing the legacy of giving in diverse communities and how legacy, estate, financial, and trust planning are all interrelated. And MOST IMPORTANTLY hear about a few bones we have to pick with IKEA regarding the location of their exits and access to the self-serve ice cream! :-) Join me for another episode of "Looking Forward. Giving Back."!

What EXACTLY does the Community Foundation of Snohomish County do? How do community foundations in general play a unique role in growing community philanthropy? Why and how is CFSC growing our commitment to professional advisors? And MOST IMPORTANTLY, why won't my boss commit to doing a triathlon with me in 2022?! Join me in the latest episode of "Looking Forward. Giving Back." as CFSC's CEO Karri Matau and I discuss community philanthropy, the Community Foundation's rapidly growing work with professional advisors, and so much more. Thanks for listening in and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

How can professional advisors help clients create an estate plan that allows them "to be the good they want to see in the world"? Being your client's "most trusted advisor" is "part of the DNA of being an estate planning attorney." Join us as estate planning attorney Cari Jackson Lewis and I discuss strategies for helping clients make the most of their estate plan and create a meaningful legacy. Hear how attorneys and other advisors create the "trusted team" for clients, provide tailored estate plans that meet legacy, financial, and tax goals now and in the future. Learn about the American College of Financial Services' CAP program too and how advisors can strengthen long term relationship with clients and their heirs. Join us for this latest episode of "Looking Forward. Giving Back."! 

This short 2-part series of our podcast is an opportunity to chat about how kids and their families can make a difference in a community and support causes they love not only now but throughout the year. We’ll discuss what's the best way to start conversations about generosity, community, and what matters to your family. We’ll also talk about how parents and grandparents can use these types of conversations to promote a wider understanding of savings and financial and community responsibility.

In the 2nd episode in this short series, we’ll bring back JD and also have him joined by his 17 year old sister, Thandiwe and his grandparents Gappy and Baba, also known as Karen O’Meara Pullen and Desmond Pullen aka my mom and dad. This multi-generational team will talk about community, legacy, and how their views of giving back developed from a young age, and continue to guide them in a lot of what they do. You’ll also hear about why Baba tells stories that teach lessons, how Gappy’s father the Dr. loved getting paid with fish, the bucket filling of Thandi’s Kindergarten teacher…and what JD is looking forward to most in the New Year (hint: it has to do with a new Marvel movie’s release…because of course it does.) Wishing you a very happy holiday season and a joyful and happy New Year too. Thanks for listening in!

With the end of the year quickly approaching, a lot of us are thinking about charitable giving for a variety of reasons. Maybe it’s year-end tax planning. Or perhaps we have a family tradition of giving back to the community in a special way during the holidays. For that reason, I thought it would be fun (and hopefully interesting!) to have a few conversations on the podcast about why families in particular (and ok, MY family in particular!) engage in charitable giving. This short 2-part series is an opportunity to chat about how kids and their families can make a difference in a community and support causes they love not only now but throughout the year. We’ll discuss what's the best way to start conversations about generosity, community, legacy, and what really matters to your family. We’ll also talk about how parents can use these types of conversations to promote a wider understanding of savings and financial responsibility.

This first episode is a conversation between my son JD, a 12 year old 7th grader at Centennial Middle School, and Autrina Martindale, of Primerica Financial Services, and the creator of the educational webinar “How Money Works for Kids”. In this episode, you’ll hear a 12 year old’s thoughts on why giving to charity and growing the “ripple effect” of charitable awareness is important to him. You’ll also hear a bit about Star Wars and an incident with a cheetah eating an antelope in front of JD and why that was awesome.

In the 2nd episode in this short series, we’ll bring back JD and also have him joined by his 17 year old sister, Thandiwe, and his grandparents Gappy and Baba, also known as Karen O’Meara Pullen and Desmond Pullen and my mom and dad. Join us for this latest episode of "Looking Forward. Giving Back."!

"To whom much is given, much is required." Roxi Cronin is a mother, a daughter, a grandmother, a once - but no longer - "fish out of water" in terms of charitable and financial planning, and a fan of Muhammad Ali. Join me and her estate planning attorney, Amy Allison of Anderson Hunter as the three of us discuss how and why Roxi is choosing to create a legacy for herself and her family through charitable giving. We'll discuss the importance of attorneys and other professional advisors "asking the question" about charitable giving and providing their clients with meaningful options. We'll also hear about Roxi's favorite charitable gifts that she's given through her donor advised fund held at the Community Foundation of Snohomish County. Join us for this latest episode of "Looking Forward. Giving Back."!

What is a Charitable Remainder Trust? How can a client use life insurance to fulfill their charitable, financial, and estate planning goals? Can a bass guitar player also play the steel drums? Join me and financial planner Brian George of the Charitable Advisors Network, as we answer these questions and share tips on how to  become your client's "Trusted Advisor". Brian and I will chat about how and why he discusses charitable giving options with his clients. He'll tell us a few stories and share examples of how and why he helps clients incorporate charitable goals in their financial, tax and estate planning. We'll also go into detail about specific gifts that support local charities AND provide income for donors and their heirs. Join us for this latest episode of "Looking Forward. Giving Back."!

It's September, and year-end financial, tax, and charitable planning discussions between professional advisors and their clients are happening, or will be happening very soon! What is your client's planning outlook for the rest of 2021, and as we enter 2022? What questions are they asking? Do they have concerns about some of the new tax legislation that's being discussed in Washington right now? How will changes affect their financial planning? And what type of legacy do they want to live by and leave to their kids? Join me and episode guest Aalok Shah, CFP and Principal Advisor at Harbour Investments in Portland OR and Edmonds, WA as we explore these questions and more. Aalok and I will chat about how and why he discusses charitable giving options with his clients. He'll tell us a few stories and share examples of how and why he helps clients incorporate charitable goals in their financial, tax and estate planning. We'll also hear about the advice he's providing his clients in light of possible changes that may be made to federal tax laws, how capital gains is treated, and strategies for mitigating tax burdens especially as we close in on the end of 2021. Join us for this latest episode of "Looking Forward. Giving Back."!

What options can CPAs and other tax planning professionals offer clients when discussing the "Big Picture" of tax, estate, and legacy goals? What trends are these professional advisors seeing in how clients and their families plan for current and future needs? And what the heck is a Buffalo Corner? Join me and episode guest Jenny Keeney, partner at Blume Keeney CPAs in Everett WA, as we explore these questions and more. Jenny and I will chat about how and why she discusses charitable giving options with her clients. She'll tell us a few stories and share examples of how and why she helps clients incorporate charitable goals in their tax and estate planning. We'll learn how it's helped her strengthen relationships and helped her clients create meaningful legacies in communities they love. We'll also learn about her roots in Snohomish County and why she's made her home here. Join us for this latest episode of "Looking Forward. Giving Back."!

Are you an estate planning attorney? Or maybe you are a financial advisor or an accountant who works with clients as they consider estate planning options. Do you have clients who could benefit from the tax advantages of charitable giving? Maybe you have clients who care deeply about their community and want to leave a charitable legacy through their will or estate. Or maybe you just have clients who are generous people and simply want to support the nonprofits and charitable causes they know and love now and in the future. 

In 2019 in the US, individuals contributed $450 billion to charitable causes. Add to that, a recent US Trust study found that 90% of high net worth individuals are already giving to charity, yet less than half of these individuals feel that their advisors are proactive about discussions of philanthropy and how it can affect their overall financial and estate planning picture. Discussing philanthropy is good for business. It’s an important service that advisors can and do use to strengthen relationships with clients and their heirs. 

This episode's guest, Sarah Duncan, is an estate planning attorney at Adams and Duncan Lawyers in Everett, WA. She is also President of the Community Foundation of Snohomish County Board of Directors. Sarah will chat with us about how and why she discusses charitable giving options with her clients. She'll tell us a few stories and share examples of how and why she helps clients incorporate charitable goals in their estate planning. We'll learn how it's helped her strengthen relationships and helped her clients create meaningful legacies in communities they love. We'll also learn about her roots in Snohomish County and why she's made her home here. Join us for this latest episode of "Looking Forward. Giving Back."!

Hi, I’m Elena Pullen-Venema, Director of Gift Planning at the Community Foundation of Snohomish County, and this is, “Looking Forward. Giving Back.” This podcast is a place for professional advisors – financial managers, attorneys, accountants, and other client-centered advisors, to obtain key resources, tools, and information about charitable options that can help you meet your clients’ estate, financial, charitable, and tax savings goals, while increasing diverse and equitable philanthropy in our community.

You’ll hear from other advisors, clients, and experts in the field of estate, financial and charitable planning. You’ll hear personal stories about what, why, and how clients give, and how their advisors are helping them make the most of that giving. I look forward to sharing all of this and more with you in the episodes to come.