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Trusted financial and legal advisors can increase charitable giving in Canada
London Community Foundation launches toolkit to encourage advisors to ‘Ask the Giving Question’
London ON (Nov. 12, 2009) – As National Philanthropy Day approaches on November 15, London Community Foundation is launching an online toolkit to encourage financial, investment and legal advisors to ‘ask the giving question’ in their discussions with clients over the coming year.
“We know that 21% of Canadians account for 82% of the donations to charity in this country,” said Martha Powell, CEO London Community Foundation. “We also know individuals are three times more likely to include charity in their will when the issue is raised by a lawyer, accountant or an investment or financial advisor. We developed this toolkit to share our experience with advisors, in the hopes that it can lead to more giving.”
Community foundations often partner with advisors, acting as a resource for them and their clients around charitable giving by attending meetings and sharing community needs and opportunities.
“Many advisors are eager to start discussing philanthropy with their clients, but it can feel like a daunting exercise when you’re not an expert,” said Chris Cahill, founder of FSG Wealth Management. “This new toolkit provides an easy way for advisors to access the information they need to get started.”
Professional Advisors eResource
The online toolkit, called Professional Advisors eResource, offers advisors a wide range of basic and more technical information about charitable giving including:
- Adding giving to your practice
- Talking about charitable giving
- Detailed information on six common gift options
- Handouts that advisors can personalize and to share with clients
- Donor stories that illustrate how giving can be used to help clients meet their financial and personal goals
The toolkit can be found at www.lcf.on.ca/advisors.