Advisors
An Extension of Your Trusted Advisory Services
The first person donors often turn to when thinking about philanthropy is their trusted professional advisor, whether that is an attorney, a CPA, or a financial advisor. Since 1985, the Clinton County Foundation has been working with advisors to identify and support the best charitable solutions for their clients.
We are committed to assisting you and your clients in achieving their philanthropic goals. We will partner with you to ensure optimal due diligence and legal care. Here are some of the key benefits to working with the Foundation.
- As a public charity, we offer maximum federal and state tax benefits.
- We know Clinton County. We can help your client connect with specific charities or facilitate their charitable goals in an area of interest, both locally and nationally.
- Our fund advisor portal provides 24/7 access to check fund balance, view statements, and make a grant request.
- We are an accredited community foundation by U.S. National Standards for Community Foundations.
- We can help your clients explore a variety of giving options. Cash, appreciated stock, and real estate can be gifted during a client’s lifetime or as part of an estate.
- You can help make a difference in the lives of your clients, enabling them to leave a legacy in the community and teach their children and those important to them about the importance of philanthropy.
FAQ For Advisors
How quickly can a Clinton County Foundation fund be set up?
A fund can be set up as easily as this: Give it a name. Give it a purpose. Give it funds.
Since 1985, the Clinton County Foundation has been helping advisors identify the best charitable solutions for their clients.
What are the fees for a Clinton County Foundation fund?
There are no start-up fees to establish a fund. An administrative fee is assessed based on your fund’s attributes. Contact us for a current fee schedule.
What are the tax benefits of the Clinton County Foundation?
The Clinton County Foundation is classified as a public charity 501(c)(3) 509(a)(1) section 170 (b)(1)(A)(vi). As such, your clients may receive significant tax benefits depending upon the nature of their gift or fund.
What types of gifts can you accept?
The Clinton County Foundation has the ability to accept a wide range of assets, including cash, checks, stocks or bonds, life insurance policies, grain, and IRA rollovers.
Learn about the types of funds we manage and what types of gifts we handle. We also encourage you to read some of our impact stories to see philanthropy in action.
Preparing a bequest? Here is our sample bequest language to help guide your plan.
Contact us to meet a member of the Clinton County Foundation team and learn more about how we can partner with you to better serve your clients.
Advisor Story
Attorneys / Advisors: William Peelle and Karen Buckley / Education, Health & Wellness, Economic Development
Local Advisors and the Foundation Help Manage the Philanthropic Maze
Most donors want their philanthropic dollars to be used effectively and to bring them joy and satisfaction from giving. While some donors may have specific passions or be aware of the areas of greatest need in their communities, many find the world of philanthropy a challenging maze. Individual donors and families often don’t have the expertise to decode tax law, identify the right nonprofit, or determine whether to create their own donor advised fund. Even those who understand philanthropy may not have the time to develop and implement a strategy. Enter estate planners, attorneys, and other financial advisors.
“It is incumbent upon the advisor to listen to their client and understand their vision. It should be a collaborative discussion,” explained Bill Peelle, attorney and managing director of Peelle Law Offices for the last 45 years. “And if my client has substantial means that could benefit the community and reward them with significant tax benefits, I will advise them to seek the support of the Clinton County Foundation. The Foundation has the expertise and the safeguards in place to steward my client’s philanthropy while relieving them of nearly all administrative burdens.”
Karen Buckley, attorney with Buckley, Miller & Wright who has concentrated on estate planning, also stresses the importance of understanding current and pending state and federal tax law. “For instance,” explained Karen, “while the current Federal Estate Tax only applies to estates valued at $12 million or more, in 2026 that will change, and estates valued as low as $3.5 million might be affected. Knowing what’s on the horizon can help you and your estate planner develop the best charitable giving strategy to avoid unnecessary taxes.”
Like Bill, Karen has referred several clients to the Clinton County Foundation to develop the most appropriate vehicle for supporting the community. She adds, “The Foundation excels in helping my clients not only realize tax benefits, but more importantly feel the pride and joy in giving to our community and leaving a legacy of giving for years to come.”
