On a snowy December afternoon, more than 40 professional advisors attended a Catholic Foundation of Michigan luncheon to learn how they can assist their Catholic clients.Tom O’Rourke, a Blackrock Portfolio Manager, provided a market outlook and an overview of Catholic investing.

Trust Specialist Mari Anne Guidobono gave an overview of the 2016 U.S. Trust Study of High Net Worth Philanthropy. Significantly, in 2015, more than 90 percent of high net worth households averaged $25,000 in charitable giving, versus nearly 60 percent of the general population who averaged $2,500. This insight underscores the important role attorneys, tax specialists and financial planners serve in guiding their Catholic clients when they’re looking for investment and charitable gift options that align with their faith values.

Patrick Fehring, President of Level One Bank, and Chair of the Foundation’s Board, said, “Professional advisors play a key consultative role with their clients who seek to meet their family’s philanthropic goals. Creating advisor awareness of the Catholic Foundation’s ability to steward their clients’ assets according to their values, is key to our growth, and the prosperity of the ministries we support.”

Foundation Board Member Frank Migliazzo, a Merrill Lynch Private Wealth Advisor, who also chairs the Investment Committee, said, “This is a great time to get the word out to other Catholic COIs (centers of influence). We have a very competitive offering that aligns with our Catholic values and beliefs.”

The Catholic Foundation seeks to collaborate with advisors and planning professionals to serve as an extension of our team. To learn how you can share your professional expertise with the Catholic Foundation, contact Angela Moloney, President and CEO at Info@CatholicFoundationMichigan.org or call (248) 204–0332.