Arizona Community Foundation

Having a will is one of the most critical steps an individual can take to safeguard their legacy, protect loved ones, and ensure their wishes are honored after they pass away. A financial advisor once told me, “When we pass, our money can go to three places: our family, charity or the government; we get to choose two.” A will can provide ease for surviving family members. Yet, it’s a topic that many shy away from, often because of discomfort with facing mortality or misconceptions about its … [Read more...] about Having a Will: Why it is Important for Family and Community

In today’s world, many people want to be charitable but must figure out how they can balance that desire with ensuring financial stability for themselves. For those individuals, a charitable gift annuity may be the tool they need to achieve that balance. Creating a charitable gift annuity can be easy. You donate cash or marketable securities to a foundation, a nonprofit or a charitable gift annuity program, and in exchange, the charity will promise to pay you, or a person of your designation, a … [Read more...] about Charitable Gift Annuities: A Smart Way to Give Back

According to a 2018 study by U.S. Trust, 78% of professional advisors say that discussing philanthropy with their clients is good for their business. Both advisors and clients agree that these discussions deepen relationships, including relationships with the extended family, and aid in establishing new business. This same study suggests that 43% of clients feel it is important to involve children and grandchildren in family discussions about charitable giving. Both measures have trended upward … [Read more...] about Discussing Charitable Giving Regarding Non-Cash Assets

Affordable housing is a critical issue facing communities across the United States, with impact felt macroeconomically, and for individuals and families seeking a place to call home. To confront the issue head on, many civic and governmental entities are addressing the full housing continuum, from keeping people in their homes to addressing homelessness. This comprehensive approach involves multiple strategies to ensure that everyone has access to safe, affordable and attainable housing. A … [Read more...] about How Community Foundations Can Impact Affordable Housing

Family philanthropy is the collective effort of family members uniting around shared values to engage in charitable giving and volunteer work. It’s more than just giving back, it’s about creating a lasting legacy of compassion and service that echoes the values shared by loved ones. Why Family Philanthropy is Important The importance of family philanthropy lies in its ability to instill a culture of giving and service, promoting empathy, social responsibility and a commitment to making a … [Read more...] about Generational Giving: Nurturing Family Philanthropy

The term “philanthropist” often conjures images of wealthy individuals donating money to important causes. Billionaires are frequently highlighted in the media for their headline-making contributions to universities, non-profits, disaster relief efforts and more. Although these donations are generous and critically important, philanthropy extends well beyond the elite and encompasses so much more.    Philanthropy is the desire to promote the welfare of others; it is the expression of … [Read more...] about What is a Community Foundation?

ACF of Yavapai County is wrapping up our current annual grant cycle this month. What this means is organizations have written and submitted their proposals, grant panels have reviewed, scored and discussed these proposals, and funding decisions have been made. Many organizations will benefit and as a ripple effect, the residents of Yavapai County benefits. The grant cycle process is community giving in action. When charitable giving is discussed, most individuals will talk about their favorite … [Read more...] about Experiencing the Ripple Effect of Community Giving