Supporting a community one loves is a powerful motivator and often the most compelling reason for giving to the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation. Because our staff, committee members and trustees live in Washtenaw County, they understand how local and regional issues affect the community as a whole. They also keep in close contact with nonprofit agencies throughout the area. Our broad perspective and local knowledge assure that Foundation grants will always be targeted where they can do the most good. And donors have the opportunity to create funds with specific, highly focused goals.

As a professional advisor, you have an opportunity to help your clients achieve their philanthropic goals as effectively as possible. In addition, through charitable giving which offers unique tax benefits you have an opportunity to help your clients achieve other financial, personal and business goals. In fact, through planned giving that integrates philanthropy with overall financial and estate planning, you can ensure that your clients are receiving the full benefit of their charitable contributions while supporting the charities of their choice.

Donor education is an increasingly important service offered by community foundations. AAACF program staff can help your clients research charities of interest, learn about unmet needs in the community, participate in site visits to local charitable projects and programs, and understand what other funders - both institutional and individual - are doing to help address those needs.