Episode 2

full
Published on:

29th Jan 2025

Ep 2 Annie Burndrett Maximizing Your Philanthropy: Charitable Giving Through the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation

Welcome to Metcalf Money Moment, where hosts Jeb Graham, Ethan Hutcheson, and Eric Wymore explore the world of charitable giving with special guest Annie Burndrett from the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation. In this episode, Annie shares insights into the foundation’s mission, its unique donor-advised funds (DAFs), and how they help individuals maximize their charitable impact while minimizing taxes. Annie explains how charitable giving can be planned around taxable events like business sales or IRA distributions and how strategies like “bunching” donations can help donors take full advantage of tax deductions. They also discuss the power of multi-generational giving and the numerous scholarship opportunities available to support students. Tune in to learn how to make a lasting difference in your community through strategic charitable giving.

IN THIS EPISODE:

  • (1:04) Shares the purpose of the Kansas City Community Foundation and the different funds they have for charitable giving and philanthropy
  • (2:50) Tax strategies for the donor-advised funds
  • (6:35) Preplanning for a taxable event
  • (8:38) Annie defines the term bunching, designated funds and the hundreds of scholarship funds they have and the service they provide to students
  • (13:04) Annie describes how to get set up with the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation 

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

  • Donor-advised funds (DAFs) are a powerful tool for tax-efficient charitable giving. High-income earners can maximize tax deductions during their peak earning years by contributing to a DAF, growing those assets, and earmarking them for future giving, such as retirement donations. A common strategy is donating appreciated stock, which avoids capital gains taxes. For instance, if an investment bought for $20,000 appreciates to $100,000, donating it to a DAF eliminates the $80,000 capital gain tax while allowing a deduction for the stock's full fair market value. Contributions can be distributed to charities over time, providing flexibility and maximizing impact.
  • Bunching is a strategy in which donors contribute more significant amounts to a donor-advised fund in specific years. This enables them to itemize deductions and maximize tax benefits while disbursing funds to charities over multiple years, which can result in significant tax savings and more effective philanthropic planning.
  • Greater Kansas City Community Foundation offers opportunities for multi-generational giving, where families can continue philanthropic efforts across generations. Additionally, donors can establish scholarship funds to support students, with the community foundation handling all aspects of the fund management and scholarship distribution.

RESOURCES:

Metcalf Partners - Website

Jeb Graham - LinkedIn

Ethan Hutchison - LinkedIn

Eric Wymore - LinkedIn

Annie Burndrett - LinkedIn

To Apply for Scholarships by Community Foundation - Website

Greater Kansas City Community Foundation - Website

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Annie Redlingshafer Burndrett is a Business Development Advisor at the Greater

Kansas City Community Foundation and its national entity, Greater Horizons.

With an asset base of more than $6 billion, the Community Foundation is a national

leader in charitable giving services, providing donors with a best-in-class platform of

charitable tools including donor-advised funds, scholarship funds and other charitable

investment accounts.


In her role, Annie collaborates with financial advisors, wealth managers and other

professional advisors to help them maximize their clients’ charitable dollars and build

charitable legacies across multiple generations.


Prior to joining the Community Foundation team in 2023, Annie was a financial advisor,

guiding individuals and families through their most important financial decisions,

including setting aside assets for charitable giving.


DISCLAIMER:

This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax or legal advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific situation with a qualified tax or legal advisor.


Metcalf Money Moment the Podcast, Jeb Graham, Ethan Hutcheson, Eric Wymore, Financial Education, Wealth Management, Charitable Giving, Retirement Planning, Estate Planning, Investment Management, Financial Strategies, Client-Centric, Financial Planning, Trusted Advisors, Financial Empowerment

Transcript
voice over: [:

Now your hosts.

Jeb: Welcome to Metcalf Money Moment, the podcast. My name is Jeb Graham, managing partner at Metcalf Partners Wealth Management with co hosts and partners, Ethan Hutcheson and Eric Wymore. And today we have a special guest. It is Annie Berndrette from the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation. Uh, so Greater Kansas City Community Foundation is here in Kansas City.

bout the Greater Kansas City [:

Annie: Yeah, thanks, Jeff. Um, well, I'm happy to be here to talk about charitable giving with you for your clients.

And ultimately Greater Kansas City Community Foundation and community foundations at large are designed to help. Support a specific group of people. So here in Kansas city, our mission is to help connect our donors with causes that they care about and help to grow their money so that they have more money to give.

Um, a quick note, we are actually the third largest community foundation in the country, and there are about 900. So, as far as assets, contributions, and grants out the door, um, we're the third largest. So, that really points to the fact that Kansas City is a center of philanthropy, which is really, I think, exciting.

Jeb: Well, that's super, super impressive, given Kansas City's size versus some other cities out there, that we would be third, third in the country. So

support of our donors is by [:

Awesome.

Jeb: Well, very good. So you, so you mentioned charitable funds, uh, tell us more about the kinds of charitable funds that the community foundation administers and why someone would use a fund for their giving. You know, I know we have a lot of clients that like to give to charity and I think a lot of them, I feel like the, the go to is they just pick a couple of charities and they send money to the charities.

Um, um, On their own, and I don't think a lot of people know about the different things that you can do to to either. I think you're going to talk about kind of front loading contributions to a chair to a foundation account. I also think that the clients just in general, uh. Aren't that educated on charitable giving?

So I think, uh, tell us a little bit about the different types of funds that you guys have.

the, the goal of giving. And [:

And so those can be paid out to any charity of the clients choosing. And so, uh, they, Invest the assets, they give the assets to the community foundation. We invest those, they grow on their behalf and then whenever they want to make grants out to their selected nonprofits, we administer those grants as well.

And so by. Saving for future gifting, you can grow the assets and have more to give. And so that's really, you know, the infrastructure that we've created in order to help support people's philanthropy. People can do that in a variety of different ways. So you had talked about front loading, you know, some individuals who are charitably inclined while they're saving for retirement, they're also saving for their giving and retirement.

the contributions into their [:

Um, tax savings, they don't have to pay capital gain on the appreciated stock. That stock can go into a donor advice fund and then of course via deduction for the fair market value of those stocks. So

Jeb: theoretically, I know Ethan, Eric and I were talking about this just the other day. Um, you, you could have, say you bought XYZ stock for 20, 000.

deduction basically for [:

Annie: Yes. The only caveat I would say that I'm not a tax advisor, depending on your tax situation, you know, all of those kinds of things, but absolutely.

Jeb: So, so is there any time that somebody has to give it to a charity buyer? Could that literally sit there for hundreds of years or is there, is there 10 years, 20 years?

Annie: It could. It could, it could sit there for hundreds of years, you know, we are a community foundation that is very dedicated to getting the money to work in our communities. And so we really do encourage people to identify charities that they want to support. We have philanthropic advisors that can help guide that as well.

If they want to set charitable goals, look at what they're wanting to achieve and have them. Philanthropic advisors within our organization, introduce them to, um, organizations that support those values. We have that, you know, so we have the full infrastructure to help the clients give.

ge over time who's directing.[:

The charitable fund as well, correct?

Annie: Yeah, absolutely. Yes. So we have successor advisors. Um, and so we do see, you know, family giving, you know, memorial funds, things like that, um, that grandparents started their kids continue to administer and now they're bringing in, you know, the 3rd or 4th generation with their grandkids, great grandkids.

It's beautiful to see.

Eric: Hey, Annie, there sounds like there's a lot of tax strategies that are involved with, with giving and with the foundation. Are there any unique strategies that you see your clients or our clients implement?

Annie: That's a great question, Eric. Anytime that there is a taxable event on the client's horizon.

be able to fund their giving [:

Um, we do specialize at unique assets. And so even business interest, private equity, you know, there's a lot of different types of assets out there that aren't your typical stocks, bonds, mutual funds. Um, and so at the community foundation, we specialize in those unique assets.

Eric: Nice. And you mentioned, um, appreciated stock that can be donated.

Uh, you mentioned unique business interests. What are some other, um, asset classes that can be contributed to a donor advice fund? Like I know cryptocurrency and Bitcoins, uh, taken off right now. Um, it can clients just cut a simple check and push cash through what, what is the, uh, abilities of, of, of those funds?

of [:

So, for any type of unique asset. Um, that a donor is looking at giving, we really try to work with them in order to be able to accept

Ethan: that. You know, Annie, I've been to several events with the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, been involved in other charities that use their funds. Um, and one thing that keeps popping up a lot is the word bunching.

And I wonder if you could maybe spend a minute or two kind of explaining what bunching means.

Annie: Um, yeah, thanks for asking. That's a great question. So, of course, there are the large philanthropists who have a lot of money to give away and, and are, are having those assets at work. But for the everyday investor, bunching is a very common strategy that we see utilized in donor advised funds.

be every other, every third. [:

And so those assets are then invested and sometimes they're granting those out for the next year. So in other words, if somebody gives 10, 000 a year, they're putting 30, 000 a year every three years in and the other years they're itemizing their tax return.

Eric: And correct me if I'm wrong, but the year that they donate that 30, 000, even though they're going to split that into the next three years, they get the 30, 000 deduction.

Is that correct? You've

ccount that we offer, but we [:

And so designated funds are a fund that is designated to one charity or, um, one particular institution. So that could be a church. Or an area of interest for your donor and a scholarship fund is, of course, to support students at a very critical time in their life, really being able to lay the groundwork for their future.

It's very rewarding for donors, and it's wonderful for students. And as a quick note, we actually are in our application process. So we both accept the assets for scholarship funds. We also administer the application for. The scholarships, and we handle all of the communication with students. So right now, if any of your listeners have college students, grandkids, nieces, nephews, neighbors, anybody that they think could benefit, they can go to grow your giving dot org slash scholarships.

scholarship deadlines are in [:

Jeb: That's an awesome benefit. So, so real quick, how, how many different scholarships do you know?

Annie: We have hundreds and we actually have ones that are nationwide. Um, we are a nationwide community foundation. We do focus here in Kansas city, uh, but we have hundreds and, um, depending on the criteria, you know, they're not all Collegiate scholarships, many of them are, but, um, there's a wide range of scholarships.

So they're not all necessarily, um, yeah, scholastic base. There's just a wide range.

cholarship needs to be like, [:

Annie: The minimum account size for the overall scholarship fund needs to be 25, 000, but the scholarships out the door don't have that minimum. And so the actual account size that the investment needs to be is that minimum of 25, 000. A quick note here on how one can fund Fund that, um, qualified charitable distributions from IRAs are eligible in both designated funds and scholarship funds, whereas you cannot put that in a donor advised fund.

And so if you have a client who has an IRA and they're not meeting those required minimum distributions, they can do a qualified charitable distribution, a QCD, and put that into a scholarship fund or a designated fund.

go direct or when, when, and [:

Annie: Absolutely. So we have different avenues of investing. And so if the account is under a hundred thousand dollars, it can be invested in our low cost investment pools. And that's similar to a 401k. We have. Aggressive to conservative investment pools. So just like you, you do on your selection within a retirement plan like that, you can do a custom mix.

If it's over 100, 000, then you can use your financial advisor to manage those assets. And so that. They are selecting the investments within your, your designated fund scholarship fund or donor advised fund. Um, and you're working with your financial advisor to get that invested.

Jeb: So if it's, if it's under a hundred thousand dollars, they're going direct to greater Kansas city community foundation.

And if it's over, they can still go direct to Kansas city community foundation, or they can use their financial advisor to manage the funds as well. Correct?

ions, we have a donor portal [:

If you know that you give to your church each month or give to certain organizations on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis, or you can do one time grants on there as well. And you can give your financial advisor access to that portal. Um, or have that, you know, take care of that all on your own.

Jeb: Well, Annie, thanks so much for coming on today.

Uh, so just a reminder website for the greater Kansas city community foundation is grow your giving. org. So that's whether you want to go apply for a scholarship, whether you want to set up a donor advised fund or a direct fund, uh, I think you can go to grow your giving and at least check out greater Kansas city community foundation.

And, uh, yeah. Ethan, Eric, thank you. And this has been a great, uh, great few minutes that we got to got to spend together. And this is Metcalf money moment, the podcast, and we'll see you soon.

ast. We hope today's episode [:

Jim Graham, Ethan Hutchison, and Eric Wymore are registered representatives with and securities offered through LPL Financial member FINRA SIPC. Investment advice offered through WCG Wealth Advisors, a registered investment advisor, WCG Wealth Advisors and Metcalfe Partners Wealth Management is a, are separate entity entities from LPL Financial.

The opinions voiced in this podcast are for general information only, and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which strategies or investments may be suitable for you, consult the appropriate qualified professional prior to making a decision.

All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results. All indices are unmanaged and may not be invested into directly.

Listen for free

Show artwork for Metcalf Money Moment the Podcast

About the Podcast

Metcalf Money Moment the Podcast

Unlock financial clarity, confidence, and peace of mind with Metcalf Money Moment – the Podcast. Whether you’re preparing for retirement, navigating a business exit, or building generational wealth, our expert insights provide the clarity and confidence needed to achieve your financial goals.



Hosted by Jeb Graham, Ethan Hutcheson, and Eric Wymore—seasoned financial professionals with a deep passion for empowering clients—this podcast brings decades of combined experience in wealth management, retirement planning, estate strategies, and investment advisory services. Each host brings a unique perspective and expertise, ensuring well-rounded and insightful discussions that address the diverse needs of our audience.



Every episode explores key topics to empower your financial journey. Discover practical strategies for building generational wealth, planning for retirement, safeguarding your legacy with estate planning, and optimizing savings through tax strategies tailored to high-net-worth individuals. Gain insights on investment approaches for volatile markets, entrepreneurial advice for Kansas City business owners, and guidance on major life events like marriage, home buying, and inheritance planning. Each episode is designed to inspire action and enhance your financial confidence.



This podcast is also an essential resource for financial professionals, including CPAs, estate attorneys, and referral partners. Gain valuable insights into wealth management, trust building, business planning, and independent advisory services to better serve your clients and enhance your expertise. Our discussions provide the tools to deepen relationships and stay ahead in the financial industry.



At Metcalf Money Moment the Podcast, we believe in making financial education accessible and impactful. Join us to discover how thoughtful, proactive planning can transform your financial future. Subscribe today to ensure you never miss an episode, and start making every money moment count!




Meet the Hosts:



Jeb Graham is the CEO and Managing Partner at Metcalf Partners Wealth Management. Before founding Metcalf Partners, he was a Financial Advisor in Overland Park, KS. Active in the Kansas City community, Jeb serves on the Kansas City Chapter Board of Entrepreneur Organization (EO). He holds a Finance degree from Kansas State University and a CFP® designation, with additional executive education in retirement planning from Wharton.



Ethan Hutcheson is a Partner and Financial Planner at Metcalf Partners, passionate about helping people prepare, plan, and execute. With a career in Financial Services, his expertise spans Financial Planning, Tax, and Investment Management. Outside work, Ethan enjoys hunting, cycling, and outdoor activities with his wife Shanna and their sons, Rhett and Levi.



Eric Wymore is a Partner and Wealth Manager at Metcalf Partners Wealth Management, with a career dedicated to wealth management. As an Accredited Investment Fiduciary, he prioritizes acting in clients’ best interests. Originally from southeast Iowa, Eric has lived in Kansas City for 20 years with his wife Becky and their sons, Gabe and Nolan. He holds a Finance degree from Iowa State University.



Metcalf Website: https://www.metcalfpartners.com/

About your host

Profile picture for Jeb Graham

Jeb Graham