Some of your clients, even during this period of economic downturn, may be scrambling to make year-end charitable contributions.

We often hear something like this: "My client is stressed about her private foundation. The administration has turned out to be more difficult (and more expensive) than she had anticipated. Some family members are resigning from the board. And, making grants is more complicated than she had thought. Plus, her name and address have become public information.

It’s that time of year again – some of your clients are scrambling to find ways to make year-end charitable contributions. Some may not be sure which charities to support, or how to divide their gifts among several organizations.

Don't let your clients, or their heirs, lose out by ignoring savings bonds.

When it's time to sell a business, MCF may be able to help your clients save thousands of dollars in taxes and also fulfill their charitable goals. Making a charitable gift, whether outright or to a charitable remainder trust prior to the sale of a business provides maximum tax advantages.

Discussing philanthropy with your clients can be done in a way that respects their privacy, values and autonomy. Every client and every advisor is unique, so there's no one, "right" way to raise the charitable question.

In most cases, the primary objective of people who establish private foundations is to make money available for charitable purposes. But what happens if maintaining the foundation becomes burdensome or too expensive?

Income property can be a great investment—or an enormous headache. Here are some ways that the Marin Community Foundation can provide relief to your clients when they start getting headaches from their income property.

Entrepreneurs and investors are in the business of making dreams (whatever they may be) come true. Tapping into their dreams and connecting them to a philanthropic purpose can yield impressive and surprising results.