Looking Forward. Giving Back.
Looking Forward. Giving Back.
Elena Pullen-Venema
Your trusted resource for professional advisors with clients in Snohomish County. Providing charitable resources and tools to professional advisors and personalized options to their clients that help meet charitable, legacy, and financial goals while increasing diverse and equitable philanthropy in our community.
Episode 19: The Ins and Outs of a Nonprofit Audit and Two of the Coolest CPAs in SnoCo. A Conversation with Madchen Petrie of the Pacific Science Center and Keaton Werson of Wersen Nonprofit CPAs.
When and why do nonprofit organizations need an audit? Why should nonprofits NOT ALWAYS go with the cheapest auditor. And how cool is it that one of my two favorite CPAs is a farmer, and the other is an Improv mastermind? Join us in this episode of "Looking Forward. Giving Back." as we dive deep into the nonprofit audit with perspectives from both the auditor and auditee. Get advice on how best a nonprofit can prepare for an audit, what the right audit "fit" might be for your organization, and the importance of making sure your staff gets along with the auditing team!  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lookingforwardgivingback/message
Sep 27, 2022
34 min
Episode 18: The Importance of a "Philanthropic Back Office", Growing Your Client Referrals, and Gonzaga Fandom. A Conversation with Ross Rettenmier of SagePoint Financial.
Many of my listeners have heard me use the phrase "philanthropic back office" when talking about the Community Foundation's relationship with professional advisors. In this episode, meet Ross Rettenmier, the financial advisor who coined that phrase many years ago! Hear about how Ross talks to clients about the benefits of charitable giving as part of overall planning. Learn why he believes these conversations can not only strengthen relationships with current clients, but lead to new referrals too. AND hear about Gonzaga basketball, exciting happenings on the Everett Waterfront, and the joy of grandkids in this latest episode of "Looking Forward. Giving Back." --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lookingforwardgivingback/message
Sep 15, 2022
32 min
Episode 17: How a Community Organizer in India Becomes an Estate Planning Attorney in Snohomish, and Why You Should NEVER Say, "I Would Never...". A Conversation with Attorney Paige Buurstra.
What do Employment Law, Succession Planning, and Landlord/Tenant Rights have to do with working with women business owners in India? How has a local attorney used her commitment to community justice, child welfare, and a love for contracts to create a successful estate planning practice? And what does she feel is one of the most important responsibilities of professional advisors? Join me as I explore these questions and more with Snohomish estate planning attorney Paige Buurstra on this latest episode of "Looking Forward. Giving Back." --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lookingforwardgivingback/message
Aug 5, 2022
30 min
Episode 16: "Your Whisper is a Roar", the X-Ray Year, and Three Tips for Talking to Clients About Philanthropy. A Conversation with Philanthropic Advisor, Stephanie Ellis Smith.
Philanthropic Advising is a thing! Philanthropic Advisors provide critical resources to professional advisors and their clients. Join us in this episode of "Looking Forward. Giving Back." as we welcome Stephanie Ellis Smith, Philanthropic Advisor and Founder of Phila Engaged Giving. Stepahanie shares all the ways philanthropic advisors can help attorneys, financial managers, and accountants strengthen their relationships with clients, and can play an important role in helping you become the most trusted advisor in your clients' estate, financial, and tax planning.  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lookingforwardgivingback/message
May 2, 2022
37 min
Episode 15: What Happens When You Refer a Client to Us? Building Trust, Growing Networks, and Match.com for Donors. A Conversation with CFSC's Vice President Angelique Leone.
What happens after an advisor refers a client to the Community Foundation of Snohomish County? What does "donor services" really mean? How can our team help your clients meet their perfect charitable "match"? (Think Match.com, but not in a creepy way ;-) ). Join us for a conversation with Angelique Leone, the Community Foundation's VP in charge of all things Donor Services. Hear about how she and we work with individuals and families by helping them make tax-smart donations today AND leave a meaningful generational legacy for tomorrow. Listen in, share your thoughts, and spread the word about charitable giving options on this episode of "Looking Forward. Giving Back." --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lookingforwardgivingback/message
Apr 11, 2022
40 min
Episode 14: Everyone Can Be Charitable, Women Are Not a "Niche Market", and the Lighthouse Jazz Club Is THE Place to Be! A Conversation with CFP Rene Nourse of Urban Wealth Management.
Why is it critical that wealth managers understand that women are not a "niche market" in the financial services world? What are simple strategies advisors can use to meet clients' legacy and estate goals while protecting their assets? Where is the hottest jazz club in Hermosa Beach? Join me and CFP Rene Nourse of Urban Wealth Management as we discuss charitable and estate planning strategies, the unique value that a diverse, women-led firm brings to the world of wealth management....and jazz, lots of jazz in this latest episode of "Looking Forward. Giving Back."! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lookingforwardgivingback/message
Apr 7, 2022
27 min
Episode 13: Estate Pre-Planning, Using Charitable Remainder Trusts to Stretch IRA Distributions for Heirs, and Dogs as Running Buddies. An Estate Planning Conversation with Attorney Chandra Lewnau.
How has the SECURE Act changed critical aspects of estate planning? How can you use these changes to your client's advantage, helping them protect their assets AND their legacy at the same time? What are the key components of pre-planning and what are the dangers of not doing all of them? And why do dogs make such good running companions? Join me for another episode of "Looking Forward. Giving Back." as Attorney Chandra Lewnau, Partner at Wall Group Law in Edmonds, and I discuss all of this and more.  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lookingforwardgivingback/message
Mar 3, 2022
32 min
Episode 12: Growing CFSC's Nonprofit Services in a Zoom Exhausted World: A Conversation with Nekya Johnson, CFSC's Director of Community Impact & Grantmaking
What is the Community Foundation of Snohomish County's Nonprofit Services Program? How does our local knowledge and partnerships with nonprofits grow the impact of donor gifts and the grants they make? And why do we all need to take a lesson from Mrs. Lorraine Young (aka Nekya's mom) on how to become an expert "Pokémon Go Thrifter"? Join me in the latest episode of "Looking Forward. Giving Back." as CFSC's Director of Community Impact and Grantmaking, Nekya Johnson and I discuss community philanthropy, the crucial impact of equitable grantmaking, and how the Community Foundation connects donors to the charitable causes and nonprofits providing critical services throughout Snohomish County. Thanks for listening! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lookingforwardgivingback/message
Jan 26, 2022
38 min
Episode 11: Charitable Remainder Trusts and Getting Lost in IKEA: A Conversation about Estate, Financial & Trust Planning with Debra Smiley, Senior Fiduciary Analyst at Laird Norton Wealth Management
"Tax codes are not just for the 1%!" An important reminder from my latest podcast guest, Laird Norton Fiduciary Senior Analyst and Trust Guru Debra Smiley. Join me and Debra as we dig deep into the world of charitable remainder trusts and other income-generating gifts that can help your clients meet both immediate financial needs and future charitable goals. We'll also talk about how representation matters in the world of financial planning AND charitable giving. We'll discuss the importance of harnessing the legacy of giving in diverse communities and how legacy, estate, financial, and trust planning are all interrelated. And MOST IMPORTANTLY hear about a few bones we have to pick with IKEA regarding the location of their exits and access to the self-serve ice cream! :-) Join me for another episode of "Looking Forward. Giving Back."! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lookingforwardgivingback/message
Jan 11, 2022
37 min
Episode 10: CFSC 101 - Who we are. What we do. And why won't my boss do a triathlon with me? A conversation with Community Foundation CEO Karri Matau.
What EXACTLY does the Community Foundation of Snohomish County do? How do community foundations in general play a unique role in growing community philanthropy? Why and how is CFSC growing our commitment to professional advisors? And MOST IMPORTANTLY, why won't my boss commit to doing a triathlon with me in 2022?! Join me in the latest episode of "Looking Forward. Giving Back." as CFSC's CEO Karri Matau and I discuss community philanthropy, the Community Foundation's rapidly growing work with professional advisors, and so much more. Thanks for listening in and HAPPY NEW YEAR! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lookingforwardgivingback/message
Dec 31, 2021
41 min
Load more