Forms, Resources, and FAQs

Some advisors are reluctant to begin a charitable giving conversation and may be concerned about appearing to make a values judgment, especially if the client has not expressed charitable intentions. However, by not raising the subject, a key opportunity is lost for the client and the community. In fact, many clients now expect their advisor to bring up the subject.

More about starting the philanthropy conversation »

As a professional advisor, you want to discuss the many benefits of charitable giving with your clients, but avoid recommending specific charitable causes or organizations. Fortunately, there’s a simple solution: the Hartford Foundation. As the region’s community foundation, we are a single, trusted organization your clients may use to address all of the issues they care most about.

• Do you have clients who care deeply about their local community?
• Do they give to more than one charitable cause?
• Are they interested in creating a personal or family legacy?
• Are they considering a private foundation, but concerned about cost and administrative complexity?
• Would your clients like to stay personally involved in the use of their charitable dollars?
• Do your clients want to receive maximum tax benefit for the contribution under Federal law?
• Do your clients place priority on sound financial management of their contribution?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, your client would benefit from learning more about the Hartford Foundation.

The Hartford Foundation has been managing charitable funds for over 80 years.

You can recommend the Foundation without promoting a specific charity, and your clients can use the Foundation as a flexible way to support multiple charities.

Endowed funds at the Foundation create a personal or family legacy that makes a difference forever.

You have access to local expertise to assist your clients. We can help your clients learn more about local organizations and the work they do.

The Foundation’s staff are trained to help families and individuals think through their charitable goals. In addition to meeting with clients, the Foundation provides a range of services, including assistance with research questions, sample language for gifts, and help with customized gift calculations and illustrations.

Our publication "Empowered Giving," which is part of our donor kit, was designed specifically with potential donors in mind. The donor kit includes general information about the Foundation and a variety of forms about specific topics. These forms are available for download or you can request that an entire kit be mailed to you or your client.

More about the donor kit and downloadable forms »

The Hartford Foundation is a community-focused, nonprofit organization overseen by a highly-respected board appointed by various institutions in the region. Our professional, knowledgeable staff are available to help donors identify and assess grantees, provide input on community needs, and verify the nonprofit status of groups. The Hartford Foundation also gives donors the opportunity to work in concert with other charitably-minded people, thereby leveraging their contributions for maximum impact.

The Foundation creates innovative, personalized charitable funds to fulfill donor intent - through donor-advised funds, as well as a variety of other giving options.

More about giving options »

The Hartford Foundation is classified as a public charity under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). As a result, while tax considerations vary according to assets, generally, your client may deduct up to 50% of their adjusted gross income (AGI) for cash contributions and up to 30% of their AGI for gifts of appreciated securities.

The Foundation doesn't provide legal tax advice; we strongly recommend that your clients consult with a tax advisor when considering making a charitable contribution or a creating charitable giving plan.

Additionally, a fund at the Foundation is generally more tax advantageous than a private foundation.

More about donor-advised funds vs. private foundations » (PDF, 62KB)

Giving is personal. Gifts may be made to the Foundation whenever the time is right for your client. Certain times, such as when your client makes a significant business or financial decision, like selling a business or revising an estate plan, are key opportunities for to consider charitable gifts.

More about giving opportunities »

In general, the minimum required to start a fund is $10,000, however, this varies by type of fund.

More about fund minimums »

There are a number of ways to support the Foundation’s grantmaking in the Greater Hartford region -

• Your clients can contribute any amount to the General Endowment Fund, which supports the priority needs of the community, or the General Scholarship Endowment Fund. Or, contributions can be made to one of the existing funds at the Foundation. Gifts are often made to mark a special occasion or honor the passing of a loved one. Contact Donna Roseman David at 860-548-1888 or droseman@hfpg.org for information about contributing to existing funds.
• With a modest contribution, your clients can participate in one of the Foundation’s giving circles. With an annual contribution of $500, participants of the Catalyst Endowment Fund examine a single topic in depth, and vote to recommend grants to agencies working to address the issue. Recent topics have included literacy, healthcare, and revitalizing the region. The Latino Endowment Fund is similar, with a focus on "Latino Leadership through Education." Individuals contribute $250 each year, and grants are awarded bi-annually.
  • Your client might consider starting a build-up fund. The minimum amount required to create a named fund at the Hartford Foundation is $10,000, but many choose to accumulate contributions over several years to reach a fund minimum.

The Hartford Foundation charges an annual administrative fee for its operations.

More about administrative fees »

The Foundation's Board of Directors, Investment Committee and experienced staff oversee the management of the endowment. Their goal is to preserve the endowment's purchasing power by achieving long-term investment results that exceed the Foundation's spending policy (the amount needed for grants and expenses) plus inflation. The Foundation seeks to balance expected risk and return, protecting tomorrow's assets while addressing today's needs.

More about the Foundation’s investments »

Philanthropic funds can be established during your client’s lifetime or as part of his/her estate plan. For example, a fund can be established through a bequest or as the beneficiary of an insurance policy.

We accept a full range of assets including cash, publicly-traded securities, closely-held securities, life insurance, real estate and partnership interests. The Foundation can also receive the assets of private foundations. Contact Donna Roseman David at 860-548-1888 x 1042 or droseman@hfpg.org to learn more.

Yes. Our staff will gladly work with you and your clients regarding provisions in a will to create a charitable bequest or to establish another type of appropriate planned gift that will generate lifetime income for the donor, such as a charitable remainder trust.

More about planned giving »

In most circumstances, provided that the Foundation is irrevocably named to receive at least 50% of the lead or remainder portion of the trust, we will serve as trustee.

We understand and respect that your client may desire anonymity in the estate planning process. However, because we have fairly technical requirements for language to be included in wills and trusts, we prefer to review will language before your client signs his or her will. There is no need to disclose the identity of your client if that is his or her preference. In addition, we find it is helpful to understand the charitable purposes your client may wish to accomplish before the gift comes to us; sometimes we are unable to accept a gift because it is too narrow, or does not meet other requirements, such as incorporating our variance power.

The long passage of time can sometimes cause a fund’s purpose to become outdated. For example, an organization that a donor specified to receive grants may cease operations.

Thus, our board has the authority without going to court to change the fund’s purpose, if "any restriction or condition contained in such instrument becomes in effect unnecessary, incapable of fulfillment, or inconsistent with the charitable needs of the community"

In such a case, the Board may by resolution direct the application of such gift, grant, devise, bequest or other transfer to such other public charitable uses and purposes as in its judgment will most effectively accomplish the general purposes of the Hartford Foundation without regard to and free from any specific restriction or condition.

Please explore the Professional Advisor Resources section of the Hartford Foundation’s website for a variety of information and resources. More »

For more detailed and technical information, the Hartford Foundation is pleased to host the Planned Giving Design Center, and provides this resource free to area advisors. The PGDC is a comprehensive online tool that complements the services of the Foundation’s experienced staff by providing timely, objective content on all aspects of planned giving.

More about the Planned Giving Design Center »