Charles and Ann Dungan
Financial advisor George Ashford has been helping his clients plan for the future for more than 50 years. An associate at the Landmark Financial Group in Edmond, George works together with the Oklahoma City Community Foundation to structure charitable giving plans for his clients that also provide a variety of tax benefits.

For clients Charles and Ann Dungan, the partnership was a natural fit. Residents of Chickasha, Oklahoma, the Dungans had received income from oil and gas assets creating unexpected tax liabilities. In 2005, George referred them to the Oklahoma City Community Foundation to make a charitable gift to help offset their income taxes.

"God really blessed us and we had a really good year," Ann said. "We wanted to find a way to give back and share our blessings with others."

A few years later, the Dungans were meeting again with Joe Carter, director of development at the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. Ann invited her sister, Zarah Virgin, to join the meeting. After learning about an opportunity to give back while reducing their taxable income and receiving annuitized payments for life, the sisters had an idea. They decided to each establish charitable gift annuities that will ultimately create the H.F. and Mary Ellen Virgin Scholarship in memory of their parents.

Thanks to the advice of George Ashford and his partnership with the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, Ann Dungan and her sister Zarah Virgin will benefit from the tax-wise charitable gifts during their lifetimes and honor their parents' memory for years to come.

The Oklahoma City Community Foundation is happy to highlight a number of other area donors who have benefited from our services while making a difference in our community. You can read about them in the digital version of our newly released 2016 Annual Report.

Do you have questions about how the Oklahoma City Community Foundation could work with you to provide your clients exceptional tax-saving charitable options? Contact Joe Carter today at 405/606-2914.
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Meeting retirement account deadlines can help your clients qualify for tax breaks and avoid tax penalties. Some retirement accounts have upcoming year-end deadlines for contributions and required distributions, while others give you extra time to make deposits that will count toward the 2016 tax year. For example, if your client turned age 70 ½ in 2016, they can delay their first required minimum distribution until April 1, 2017. Plus, if they transfer up to $100,000 per year directly to a qualifying charity, they can avoid paying income tax on the transaction! As the end of the year approaches, read more about these last-minute moves that will qualify your clients for retirement savings tax perks. Learn how the Oklahoma City Community Foundation can help your clients take advantage of the IRA charitable rollover here.


Have you heard? The Oklahoma City Community Foundation offers three types of Advised Funds! By establishing an Advised Fund, your clients can make a gift now, receive a charitable deduction for the 2016 tax year and defer the decision of which charitable organization(s) to support to future years. Our Express Fund is the simplest way to contribute to multiple charities with one transaction of appreciated stock or other assets. We take care of administrative details so gifts can be made with the least amount of hassle and the lowest possible transaction fees. Read why donor advised funds have become one the hottest ways to give during giving season here
 

This week, we are celebrating the nationally recognized Community Foundation Week and National Philanthropy Day (November 15)! The Oklahoma City Community Foundation, along with 700 community foundations across the United States, exists to help build and strengthen our community. By providing effective leadership to coordinate the needs and services in our community, we help ensure that charitable gifts fulfill Oklahoma City's most critical needs. In addition, we provide opportunities for donors to create permanent funds to help meet these critical needs.

Do you have questions about how the Oklahoma City Community Foundation could assist you and your clients? Click here to discover the most frequently asked questions about the work that we do. 
 

Rhonda Godwin, director of administrative and investment operations, has been with the Oklahoma City Community Foundation for six years. Before coming to the OCCF, Rhonda worked for 27 years in the wealth management industry.

In her role at the OCCF, Rhonda helps financial advisors and their clients with gifts of appreciated stock or other financial assets. Once the OCCF receives the asset, she works with the donor to either sell or manage the asset.  

"We normally sell the asset as soon as possible, but sometimes we have to hold it until we find a buyer," said Rhonda. "This usually happens with real estate and closely-held stock.

"I love helping our donors make an investment in our community. Each gift and investment makes Oklahoma City a better place to live and work."

Does your client have appreciated stock or other financial assets they are wanting to donate to charity before the end of the year? Contact Rhonda today at 405/606-2916 and let her help you help your client and our community! 
 

Upcoming Events
Do you want to increase your knowledge and skills in your profession and better serve your clients? Do you want insight that will benefit your clients immediately? This free luncheon through the Cannon Financial Institute helps you make it happen!

Join us for the next Cannon series on December 6. 
   
Dec. 6
Estate Planning for an Aging Population
Registration now open

Jan. 24
Elephant in the Room: Disposition of Qualified Plans and IRAs

Feb. 21
Post-Mortem Tax Election Heaven


Registration for each event will open online following the prior month's teleconference.


Contact:
Joe Carter
Director, Development
j.carter@occf.org
405/606-2914