By Kristen Andree

Nearly 60 professionals attended the charitable planning seminar hosted by the Catholic Foundation of Michigan and the Giarmarco, Mullins, & Horton, P.C. Trusts and Estates Practices Group on September 20 at Manresa Jesuit Retreat Center. The evening was moderated by Julius Giarmarco who chairs the firm’s Trusts and Estates Practice Group.

Angela Moloney, President and CEO of the Catholic Foundation of Michigan, provided an introduction to the Foundation’s mission to serve as a bridge between generous donors and impactful ministries in the local community. She highlighted that the Foundation has raised nearly $6 million in contributions since its inception one year ago. “As a Catholic Foundation, our mission is twofold. We provide donor centered charitable tools to help individuals give in a more profound way. We also partner with churches, schools and nonprofits, to ensure they have mission critical funds, today and forever,” Moloney shared.

Salvatore LaMendola, a charitable planning specialist for the firm and an alum of Notre Dame’s law school, reviewed for participants the updates to charitable planning and giving since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was passed in late 2017. LaMendola is author of the new book Estate Planning for Catholics: A Guide to Doing God’s Will in Your Will (and Other Estate Planning Documents).

The evening concluded with Gene LoVasco, Catholic Foundation board member, inviting all in attendance to utilize the services of the Foundation to assist their clients in being good stewards and leaving a meaningful, impactful legacy in the community. LoVasco concluded, “Wherever there is a charitable passion, we can help.”

All estate planning lawyers, financial planners, insurance professionals, accountants, and trust officers are invited to join the Foundation’s Professional Advisors Group (PAG) to help your clients achieve their charitable and financial goals.

For more information regarding the group visit:  catholicfoundationmichigan.org