Skip to main content

Tara Mattessich, shareholder at Larkin Hoffman, shares her tips and tricks for discussing philanthropy with clients.

As a lawyer who specializes in estate planning, Tara Mattessich knows just how important it is for advisors to have conversations with their clients about philanthropy.

Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation Gift Planner Lisa Barton recently sat down with Tara, attorney and shareholder at Larkin Hoffman, to find out some of the ways she works with her clients around planned giving.

In their conversation, Tara and Lisa discussed several tips for incorporating your clients' philanthropy into your practice.

Watch the video for Tara’s following tips:

  • Identify where your client is with their estate plan. (0:35 sec)

  • Ensure your clients communicate what documents they have, as well as where the documents can be found upon death. (0:51 sec)

  • Incorporate discussions about philanthropy into all of your meetings. (1:18 min)

  • Suggest utilizing beneficiary designations. (2:04 min)

  • There is no right or wrong way to have conversations about philanthropy with your clients. (3:16 min)

  • Having the conversation is the first step. (3:26 min)

  • Consider the benefits of working with a community foundation. (3:53 min)

  • Have your clients consider the flexibility and benefits of a donor advised fund. (4:59 min)

How We Support Conversations about Philanthropic Planning

Tara is a member of our Cornerstone Council, an advisory group which provides a forum for professional advisors to learn more about the Foundation, while helping us learn how to better serve advisors and their clients’ philanthropic planning.

To learn how the Foundation has helped support other advisors with their clients, read more of our advisor spotlights.

More Stories

Faithful Investing: How Advisors Can Better Work with Muslim Donors

Learn how investment advisor and senior financial planner Fatima Iqbal uses Islamic guidelines to assist Muslim clients, and how the Foundation partners with the Muslim American Society of Minnesota.

Learn about the changes

SECURE Act 2.0: New Provisions for Qualified Charitable Distributions

You can help your clients make the most out of their gifts with the recent changes to the rules on charitable giving.

Learn about the changes

Great Places to Have Your Next Client Meeting

Here’s a list of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ owned coffee shops and eateries to visit.

See the list

What are Non-Cash Assets?

Donating non cash assets like real estate or cryptocurrency can allow you to make a significant impact on your favorite causes.

Watch the video

The Charitable Gift of Life Insurance

Create a charitable legacy by donating a gift of life insurance.

Learn More

Top 5 Reasons to Partner with a Community Foundation

Here are five unique benefits of working with a community foundation to reach your charitable giving goals.

See the Five Benefits

Exploring Your Clients’ Giving Options: A Donor Advised Fund Versus a Private Foundation

Compare the benefits and responsibilities of two popular charitable giving vehicles your clients may be considering.

Compare the two

Five Tips to Prepare Your Clients for End-of-year Giving

We’re here to help you and your client meet your year-end goals.

Learn More

GET MONTHLY STORIES, NEWS AND UPDATES

JOIN
US!

* Indicates a required field