PARTNER WITH US

When your client expresses interest in philanthropic giving you may have to choose between working with a private financial services company and partnering with a community foundation like the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation. Your client receives the same tax advantages working with us as with a financial services firm. However, the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation offers several important benefits and services not matched by commercial financial management companies.

Lower Fees

Most financial services companies charge philanthropic investors more than 1% of assets annually in management fees. Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation's fees for investment management are much lower. In addition, we are happy to meet with advisors and their clients to discuss setting up a charitable giving program with no obligation. Click here for fee structure effective 10/13/12.

Broad Knowledge Base

Members of the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation staff are expert in Oak Park and River Forest's greatest charitable needs and critical community issues. We know which area not-for-profit organizations are doing the best work and using the charitable gifts they receive most effectively. Commercial financial services firms rarely possess such a detailed level of knowledge of the community and typically are unable to work as closely with philanthropists to choose appropriate grant recipients in Oak Park and River Forest.

Less Policy

As a nonprofit charitable organization, the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation enjoys greater flexibility when it comes to IRS regulation of our donor advised funds. Commercial financial services companies usually follow more stringent rules, including mandatory annual payouts.

Flexible Giving Options

Most commercial financial services companies only accept charitable gifts in the form of cash or publicly traded securities only. The Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation can accept cash, publicly traded securities, real estate, life insurance policies, closely held stock, art and other unique assets. Contact us if you have questions about acceptable forms of charitable gifts. Click here for Ways to Donate.

Personal Touch

When your clients partner with the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation, they join a community of generous contributors. We spend as much time with donors and their advisors as required to set up a giving program that fulfills all their charitable and tax objectives. We encourage donors to include their children in planning meetings so that they can establish a family tradition of giving. Finally, we are always available to answer questions or discuss advisor or donor concerns.

We invite you to arrange a visit with us to discuss your client's philanthropic goals. We're experts at handling special requests and requirements and are ready to accommodate your client's needs.

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