How to Fund a Trust
Trusts are essential to legacy planning, yet they can be complex. That’s probably why trust-related questions are some of the most common we get from our clients: what are they, how do they work, and how are they funded?
What is the Difference Between Foundations and Endowments?
At Apex, we lead people and families through a personalized legacy planning program. We educate them on their charitable giving opportunities and help them visualize the impact they can have on their loved ones and communities. Often, these conversations lead to significant charitable gifts–sometimes the biggest of our clients’ lives. One way that nonprofits can be ready for those gifts is to set up a foundation or endowment. Here’s an overview of when–and how–to do that.
Pros and Cons of a Charitable Trust
Charitable trusts are so powerful, we sometimes call them “give it twice” trusts. But while they mean a huge gift to charity and a tax-efficient income stream to loved ones (or you!), they’re not without some caveats.
5 Ways to Be More Intentional With Your Legacy
Here’s what to ask a nonprofit before making a major gift. But if you’ve done your due diligence, giving during life can be an amazing way to make a difference–and you’ll get to witness it! This can also help your heirs understand your values and giving priorities, and inspire them to be more generous themselves.
7 Charitable Giving Tools (And Who Should Consider Them)
Our focus is on legacy planning…but we’re always helping donors identify the most effective ways to give charitably–starting now! There are CRUTs and CRATs and DAFs and ILITs and QCDs, and while we’ve just scratched the surface of the many charitable giving tools out there, all the acronyms can seem like alphabet soup. If you’re just wanting an overview, here’s a crash course on the most common giving vehicles…and when they might be a good fit.
7 Questions to Ask a Nonprofit Before Making a Major Gift
Before clients make their charitable intentions official, we encourage them to do a little research on and ask a few questions about the organizations they want to remember with a bequest or other planned gift.
6 Non-Cash Giving Strategies
We often share that 91 percent of an average American’s estate is made up of non-cash assets like real estate, retirement funds, stocks, securities, or business- or farm-related goods. It’s […]
Things to Know Before Setting Up a Trust
What is a trust, and how does it work with a legacy plan? Where does a will fit in? These are all powerful documents, and it’s important to understand how […]
Top 5 Tax-Effective Ways to Give at Year-End
As you begin to make year-end giving decisions, you might wonder how to make the biggest bang with your philanthropic buck. Here are some ideas for giving in a big way, even without impacting your day-to-day cashflow.
Legacy and Estate Planning Basics
We function as third-party consultants, “sitting in the middle” with clients as they create a legacy plan that celebrates their values and what makes them unique, while maximizing how they’re […]