Resources for Professional Advisors

The Connecticut Council for Philanthropy has resources to assist you in your work with your clients. More resources and links are available on the Council's website, www.CTphilanthropy.org.

HELPFUL PUBLICATIONS 
A free copy of each of the following is available by contacting the Council at 800-437-1190 or ccp@CTphilanthropy.org; a charge may apply for multiple copies.

Options And Opportunities In Family Philanthropy: A Guide for the Professional Advisor
Published by the Council on Foundations, this booklet will help you discuss options with your clients who may be interested in establishing a program of family philanthropy.

Starting A Private Foundation
Published by the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers, this booklet describes the process for starting a private foundation. 

Giving In Connecticut 
Published by the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy, this booklet provides statistical information on individual, foundation, business and federated fund giving in Connecticut. 

Connecticut Toolkit For Giving
Developed by the Council, this publication helps advisors and prospective donors explore the myriad of charitable giving options.

LINKS TO LOCAL & NATIONAL RESOURCES

Connecticut Community Foundation Network
Many Connecticut community foundations have professionals either on staff or available to assist you in your work with clients. To identify the community foundation that serves your region, go to the Council's website at community foundations.

Connecticut Council for Philanthropy Library 
Over 1,000 books and other resources are available to support advisors and their clients. To make an appointment to visit the library, please contact the Council at 800-437-1190 or ccp@CTphilanthropy.org.

Planned Giving Design Center
The Planned Giving Design Center (PGDC) provides professional advisors with resources to use when advising clients in areas of charitable gift and estate planning. The following community foundations provide links that will take you to different portals available for accessing the PGDC.

• Hartford Foundation for Public Giving 
  www.hfpg.org
• Connecticut Community Foundation (Waterbury) 
  www.conncf.org
• Fairfield County Community Foundation
  www.fccfoundation.org

STATISTICS & SURVEY RESULTS
Individual Giving Statistics 
The Council gathers and analyzes data pertaining to philanthropy from the Internal Revenue Service, based upon individual income tax returns filed by Connecticut residents and estate tax returns filed by Connecticut estates. The Council can also provide you with a PowerPoint presentation that you can use with your clients or fellow advisors.

RESEARCHING CHARITIES
The online database Guidestar (www.guidestar.org) provides program and financial information on more than one million U.S. nonprofit organizations. Charities can be searched by name, subject, state, zip code, or other criteria.

RESOURCES TO PASS ON TO YOUR CLIENTS 

Publications and Resources
In addition to including the Connecticut Toolkit for Giving, the Council also has materials available for you to pass on to your clients to help them frame their philanthropic vision.
A Plan of One's Own: A Woman's Guide to Philanthropy, published by New Ventures in Philanthropy, is designed to assist and inspire women to explore and craft their own path to effective philanthropy.
Top 10 Ways Family Foundations Get Into Trouble, published by the Council on Foundations, briefly describes the common, easy-to-avoid mistakes that family foundations often make.

Connecticut Community Foundations 
Many Connecticut community foundations have professionals either on staff or available to assist your clients in supporting the communities where they were born, where they work, or where they live. A list of the state's community foundations is available from the Council (800-437-1190 or on the website at community foundations.

Family Foundation Network 
Your clients' participation in the Family Foundation Network can help to support their charitable work. The Network is an informal group of new and established family foundations that meet to discuss common issues. 


TEN REASONS TO DISCUSS PHILANTHROPY WITH YOUR CLIENTS

1. It's good for society, it's good for your clients, it's good for your business, and it's good for you.
2. Many of your clients are searching for a way to give back to society, to memorialize a loved one, add meaning to their wealth, or simply to do good.
3. Discussing philanthropy with your clients can be done unobtrusively, in a way that respects their privacy, values, and autonomy.
4. It expands the menu of services available to your clients, thereby increasing their level of satisfaction with you and your services.
5. It adds to your areas of expertise as a professional advisor.
6. It increases the potential for new referrals and thus opens the door to many new clients.
7. It marries your chosen profession with your desire to do something good for the world.
8. It helps address important social needs and helps make your community a healthier, more vibrant place to live - a real legacy for future generations.
9. It puts you in touch with a supportive network of new colleagues who are willing to share their time and expertise.
10. It's easy to do.

TEN QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK YOUR CLIENTS

1. Are there sufficient assets to provide for your spouse? Are there any special needs? Are there special concerns?
2. Do you plan to leave assets to your children? If so, how much and in what fashion? Can they handle financial asset management? Would a professional trustee be of benefit?
3. Do you plan to leave assets to grandchildren? If so, how much and in what fashion? Can they handle financial asset management? Would they benefit from a professional trustee?
4. Do you have any special concerns or needs that should be addressed in providing for your children or grandchildren? Are there special medical needs, education needs, or other special family situations?
5. Do you have special concerns or needs that should be addressed in providing for your parents?
6. Are there any siblings or extended family members requiring special help?
7. Is reducing taxes a goal in planning?
8. Do you have family values and philanthropic goals that are important? Do you want to teach your family members to give in the same manner you give?
9. Do you have specific charities or causes that you have supported during your lifetime? Do you want to endow that gift through your will?
10.  Are there any other concerns that are important to you that should be addressed in the planning process?

Ten Questions are based on those developed by Kathryn W. Miree, JD, President of Kathryn W. Miree & Associates, Inc., a philanthropic advisory service based in Birmingham, Alabama.