Ranch house with mountains on background in Montana, USA

Leveraging Complex Assets for Good with Donor-Advised Funds

Sarah NavranIndividual & Family Giving, Professional Advisors

Often when we consider charitable giving, we first think of giving cash or stock. Yet, for many philanthropists, the bulk of their wealth lies in other types of assets, like investments in real estate or private businesses. Sometimes, grassroots or smaller charities aren’t equipped to receive gifts of appreciated assets. This is where donor-advised funds can shine, allowing philanthropists to …

Silver Bitcoin next to many cryptocurrency coins like defocused Ethereum, Neo, Tether on black background. Central composition, low key photo for banners and news about BTC crypto.

Community Foundation Offers Flexible and Secure Solutions for Cryptocurrency Donations

Sarah NavranIndividual & Family Giving, Professional Advisors

A rapidly growing alternative to traditional monetary and banking systems, cryptocurrency is now finding its place in the philanthropic world. Foundations and other nonprofits are implementing new solutions to be able to accept and leverage cryptocurrency donations. The Greater Kansas City Community Foundation is part of this movement, able to help cryptocurrency donors achieve their philanthropic goals in a flexible …

Donor-Advised Funds: A Critical Component of our Philanthropic Ecosystem

breiby@growyourgiving.orgIndividual & Family Giving, Professional Advisors

The Greater Kansas City Community Foundation aims to provide donors with a great giving experience. A critical piece of that experience includes the ability to invest and grow charitable assets via donor-advised funds. From time to time, there are rumblings of legislation or regulations impacting donor-advised funds. We always have our ear to the ground in D.C. Right now, we …

Insights from the 2024 National Study on Donor-Advised Funds

Sarah NavranIndividual & Family Giving

While donor-advised funds have been around since the 1930s, they have recently become the fastest-growing charitable vehicle in the United States, and the Donor Advised Fund Research Collaborative (DAFRC) is at the forefront of leading efforts to study them. The DAFRC aims to help improve best practices and broaden the understanding of how donor-advised funds work in the charitable giving landscape. The …

Rearview shot of a senior couple going for a walk in the park

How You Can Give with Your IRA: Qualified Charitable Distributions

Sarah NavranIndividual & Family Giving

If you’re stepping into retirement, you might be asking yourself, “What’s next?” Many donors we meet at the Community Foundation already have their answer. They’re pivoting from their working years to their giving years. Some might establish a donor-advised fund. Others dedicate more time to volunteering. Those who are at least 70 ½ years old have another option, as they may …

Top view goals list with notebook on the wooden desk.

Embracing Authentic and Intentional Giving in 2024

Sarah NavranIndividual & Family Giving

Late in 2023, Merriam-Webster announced that their word of the year was “authentic.” According to Merriam-Webster, the term had an increase in searches “driven by stories and conversations about AI, celebrity culture, identity, and social media.” Perhaps people were inspired to become more authentic because of the significant events and cultural moments that shaped 2023. While we can’t know what …

Ready, Set, Give: Getting Started with Your Donor-Advised Fund

Sarah NavranIndividual & Family Giving

If you have recently opened a donor-advised fund at the Community Foundation or are eager to learn more about the opportunities that come with your fund, this blog post is for you! By opening a donor-advised fund, you have unlocked a world of possibilities and advantages that will amplify your philanthropic impact. We like to break down the donor-advised fund process into three simple …

Spark Conversations About Generosity This Giving Season

Sarah NavranIndividual & Family Giving

December is often filled with feelings of hope, gratitude and kindness to others. It’s the perfect time to reflect on the role everyone can play in making the world a better place. For us at the Community Foundation, December also means “The Giving Season” is in full swing, which is a time when we help many philanthropists set up new …

Snowcapped winter forest at sunset. View from above.

With Giving Numbers Down in 2022, Donor-Advised Fund Giving Still on the Rise

Sarah NavranIndividual & Family Giving

Despite a decline in overall charitable giving (according to Giving USA), inflation, and a challenging year for U.S. financial markets, the 2023 Donor-Advised Fund Report compiled by National Philanthropic Trust, shows donor-advised funds continued to be one of the most reliable funding sources for charitable organizations. Grants from donor-advised funds have grown every year since 2009 and more than doubled …

Massive destruction on Fort Myers Beach aftermath Hurricane Ian

Disaster Philanthropy: Hear from Leaders in the Field

Sarah NavranCorporate Charitable Giving, Individual & Family Giving

When disaster strikes, many philanthropists ask: How can I help? Senior Philanthropic Advisor Whitney Hosty was joined by Patty McIlreavy, the President and CEO of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy and Suzanne Ehlers, the Executive Director and CEO of USA for UNCHR, the UN Refugee Agency, to discuss disaster relief giving. Together, they explored philanthropy’s role in supporting communities facing …