Uncommon Benefits with the hometown team

To read more about Silicon Valley Community Foundation, visit: www.siliconvalleycf.org

2440 West El Camino Real, Suite 300Mountain View, California 94040

tel: 650.450.5400fax: 650.450.5401

mountain View

Uncommon Benefits with the hometown teamSilicon Valley Community Foundation

Profiles in Partnering with us

John Hopkins

One of the best-known professional advisors in the Bay Area, John Hopkins co-founded the Hopkins & Carley law firm in 1968. In more than 50 years as an attorney, Hopkins has concentrated on tax, estate planning, family business, succession planning, charitable giving and foundations, real estate exchanges, sales, purchases, mergers and reorganization of businesses. When working with clients, Hopkins emphasizes that transferring business or tangible wealth is not only tax efficient, but it preserves and extends family values and wisdom to succeeding generations. “As an advisor,” he says, “I am always trying to discern what my clients need to create their legacy for the future.”

Hopkins’ commitment to the community is both personal and professional. He currently serves on several nonprofit boards and plans to remain involved with community organizations after his own retirement. He notes, “Working with my clients connects with my own sense of legacy. The rewarding part for me is when a client moves from a passive attitude toward philanthropy and becomes engaged in their philanthropy. When that happens, I see a transformation which makes their legacy to family and community real and present.”

Hopkins’ involvement with the community foundation includes active participation in the community foundation’s Professional Advisor League and serving on planning committees for conferences and seminars on planned and charitable giving. However, clients remain a key priority. “I like to refer clients to the community foundation as a primary resource for information. There is no other organization that covers the total spectrum of community and nonprofit organizations.”

Mark Vorsatz

As founder and CEO of Wealth and Tax Advisory Services, Mark Vorsatz works with clients on the design and implementation of income tax and estate planning strategies and preserving wealth for multi-generational families. Vorsatz’s knowledge, expertise and experience are widely recognized in the professional advisor community. He referred a number of clients to both Community Foundation Silicon Valley and Peninsula Community Foundation and is a member of Silicon Valley Community Foundation’s Professional Advisor League.

Vorsatz’s clients include founders or substantial shareholders of public companies, owners of closely held businesses and families with high-net worth. He works closely with these clients, connecting them with philanthropic resources to meet their charitable giving needs. “Many of my clients,” he says, “have been fortunate enough to create a substantial amount of wealth and have a sense of obligation to the community. Silicon Valley Community Foundation provides user-friendly solutions to assist clients in better defining their philanthropic objectives and optimizing the benefit of their contributions.”

Many of his clients receive no greater satisfaction than seeing the direct benefit of their charitable dollars at work in our community. But Vorsatz recognizes the importance of donor education. “The community foundation provides needed tools and resources so donors are equipped to address community needs and make a positive impact.”

letter from the Ceo

Welcome to the new Silicon Valley Community Foundation

As a professional advisor, you are an unusung hero, helping clients maximize their philanthropic effectiveness and support the charitable opportunities that can make a lasting difference in the areas that are most important to them.

We are a unique institution, established as a result of a merger between two long-standing community foundation pillars in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Today, we stand tall as the one of the largest community foundations in the country, with more than $1.9 billion in assets under management. We manage more than 1,500 funds with balances ranging from $10,000 to $90 million. As an institution, we are larger than nearly every commercial gift fund or bank-managed fund. Even more importantly, our expert capacity to provide your clients with charitable giving options, tax advantages and grantmaking services is unmatched.

We are committed to improving the quality of life for everyone in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. However, our work is not accomplished alone. Your clients—and the advice that you provide them—are crucial. On behalf of the community at large and more than 900 nonprofits that provide valuable services across our region, we recognize and value your contributions.

n Every time you suggest to a client that a charitable donation can be both tax efficient and philanthropic, you have helped our community.

n Every time you help orchestrate a bequest to a nonprofit, the community benefits.

n Every time someone in need receives housing or a meal or a scholarship that helps them build a better life, our community says thank you—because you encouraged a client to consider investing in the community.

We are honored to be on the hometown team with you. Thank you for helping ensure the ongoing strength and vitality of our community—by helping foster the innovative and fresh approaches that will make our community an even better place.

Regards,

Emmett D. Carson, Ph.D. CEO and President

To learn more about Silicon Valley Community Foundation, visit www.siliconvalleycf.org | page �

Our vision, mission and values reflect our commitment to serving the vibrant and diverse communities in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.

ViSion, MiSSion and ValueS

The vision of Silicon Valley Community Foundation is to be a comprehensive center for philanthropy that inspires greater civic participation throughout San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.

The mission of Silicon Valley Community Foundation is to strengthen the common good, improve quality of life and address the most challenging problems. We do this through visionary community leadership, world-class donor services and effective grantmaking.

We value:

n Collaboration n Diversity n Inclusiveness n Innovation n Integrity n Public Accountability n Respect n Responsiveness


page � | To learn more about Silicon Valley Community Foundation, visit www.siliconvalleycf.org

A community foundation is a tax-exempt institution dedicated to improving the quality of life and serving the residents of a specific region. There are nearly 700 community foundations in the United States and at least 470 community foundations in 41 other countries around the world.

Community foundations are sustainable philanthropic institutions with long-term vision and leadership, providing grants that address a region’s present needs as well as future challenges. They also enable donors to support charitable causes across the United States and around the world.

Successful community foundations are known for their high degree of personalized service. Community foundation staff will actively engage with you and your clients to design individual charitable giving plans that fit every situation. The purpose of these plans is to give your clients the most tax advantages for their charitable contributions.

Community foundations conduct grantmaking through various types of funds and an unrestricted endowment.

Usually when a private citizen, family or corporation makes a gift to the community foundation, a fund is opened. Popular funds include donor advised funds and bequests. However, your clients can contribute various types of assets, including personal wealth, real estate and pre-IPO stock, and can choose from multiple fund options. Most funds will enable your clients to directly advise a grant to a nonprofit that has special meaning.

Your clients may also choose to contribute to the endowment fund. A community foundation’s endowment fund is a permanent charitable resource that grows through financial support. Silicon Valley Community Foundation’s $200 million endowment provides much-needed funding to local nonprofit organizations and, during times of disaster or emergency, acts as a savings account protecting and serving the needs of the region.

WHaT iS a CoMMuniTY FoundaTion?

This wonderful region has long been a warm and welcoming land of opportunity where people achieve their dreams, both large and small. It is also a place where citizens of our community created long-term endowment funds and charitable institutions for the region’s local benefit. The result was the establishment of Peninsula Community Foundation and Community Foundation Silicon Valley. More than 50 years later, a landmark merger established Silicon Valley Community Foundation as a new voice and catalyst for innovative solutions.

The complementary strengths of both parent foundations offered an extraordinary opportunity for greater impact than either could realize alone. Silicon Valley Community Foundation is dedicated to providing world-class services to professional advisors, donors and nonprofits and inspiring even greater civic participation throughout the region.


ouR HiSToRY


WHY CHooSe SiliCon ValleY CoMMuniTY FoundaTion?

Few places on earth are bigger intersections of high performance and tremendous creative energy than Silicon Valley. Your clients’ time, talents and financial assets are extraordinary gifts that deserve to be invested in an organization that will develop and grow, adjust to your clients’ needs, and offer services and expertise at the right time.

At Silicon Valley Community Foundation we believe that a community foundation is more than a stopping point for charitable gifts. We define ourselves as both a financial institution and a comprehensive center for philanthropy where diverse people, ideas and institutions share the same space and commitment to making our community and world a better place.

As the largest community foundation on the West Coast, we can help your clients receive the maximum tax advantage on their charitable gifts and provide them with effective grantmaking tools. In partnership with you, we can also easily transition your clients’ more complicated assets—such as stock, real estate or personal wealth—to meaningful community grants. Our business is helping people achieve their charitable goals locally, nationally and internationally, and making a long-lasting, positive impact on the community.

At right is an at-a-glance chart comparing the benefits of our donor advised funds, one of our more popular giving vehicles, with common options available through financial institutions. Many other fund options are available for review.

Donor ADviseD FunD At silicon vAlley community FounDAtion

commerciAl GiFt FunDs PrivAte FounDAtion

Donor control Donor recommends grants to qualified nonprofits, and may choose from among the community foundation’s investment options. Grants are approved by the community foundation’s board of directors.

Donor recommends grants to qualified nonprofits, and may choose from among the firm’s investment options. Grants are approved by trustees of the gift fund.

Donor appoints board, which controls investments and grantmaking.

tAx stAtus Public charity—as a fund under the community foundation’s public charity status.

Public charity—as a fund under the nonprofit status of the firm’s charitable subsidiary.

Private charity—as a separate 501(c)(3) organization under Section 509(a). Requires annual tax filings.

income tAx DeDuctions For GiFts oF:

cash

stock

real estate

Up to 50% of adjusted gross income.

Fair market value up to 30% of adjusted gross income.




Fair market value up to 30% of adjusted gross income, if accepted by firm.



Cost basis up to 20% of adjusted gross income.

PhilAnthroPic services Professional staff is available to develop strategy, provide input on community needs, identify and assess grantees and verify nonprofit status. Donor education, family engagement and peer networking provided as desired.

Varies by firm. Most do not offer personalized advice on grantee selection or family engagement.

Board must arrange and support their own grantmaking, monitoring and administrative structures.

internAtionAl GrAnts Allowed Usually not allowed Allowed

Distribution requirements None Varies, typically 5% of average fund assets over five years.

5% of net assets annually, otherwise a 30% penalty tax.

PrivAcy Donor may remain anonymous.

Donor may remain anonymous.

Officers, directors and trustees listed in IRS Form 990-PF.



At Silicon Valley Community Foundation, we value your relationships with your clients. Here are some of the resources we offer to enhance your work:

Responsiveness to Your Inquiries We are available to answer your questions in a timely fashion when you call the Professional Advisors Hotline at 650.450.5517 or email [email protected].

Meetings with You and Your Clients As questions arise, we are available to meet with you and your clients to offer information and assistance on a variety of charitable giving opportunities. We realize each client’s personal situation is unique, and we can provide the resources needed to decide what option is best for your client.

Educational Opportunities The community foundation sponsors professional advisor educational seminars on charitable giving which offer continuing education units. We also partner with other reputable organizations to provide you with the most relevant information to increase your knowledge in the field of charitable giving.

Publications Both our e-newsletter for professional advisors and magazine, ONE: Innovation Through Philanthropy, provide updates on the latest philanthropic trends, opportunities and news, including legislative changes that may affect charitable giving. We also feature stories about how community foundation philanthropists, their professional advisors and community groups are making an extraordinary impact in our region and beyond. To receive the professional advisor e-newsletter or a copy of our magazine, please email us at [email protected].

Meetings with You and Your Staff Sometimes questions are better answered in-person. We are available to meet one-on-one with you or with other members of your firm for a thorough discussion of the community foundation’s services and charitable giving options.

Networking Opportunities Throughout the year we host and sponsor a variety of networking events and educational trainings. You can learn about events through our professional advisor e-newsletter, and are welcome to bring your clients to receptions and educational workshops exclusively for community foundation donors.

SeRViCeS We oFFeR You


Financial tax advantages and strong investment returns are not the only benefits we offer at Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Here are some of the tools and services that deliver a world-class donor experience to your clients:

Personal Service We are in the business of providing exceptional customer service, tailored to your client’s individual needs and situation. We can answer questions and provide information about a variety of issues, including international grantmaking, fund investments and nonprofit research.

Donor Engagement A designated philanthropy manager will help you and your clients access the knowledge, expertise and services the community foundation provides. Whether your clients are interested in connecting with like-minded donors on particular issue areas, deepening their grantmaking skills or receiving funding ideas, donor engagement will connect them with the right tools and resources.

Grants & Gifts Administration By conducting due diligence and completing back-end paperwork and processing, this department ensures that your clients

have the correct information prior to recommending a grant. They also ensure nonprofits receive grant checks and award letters in a timely manner.

Development This department is here not just to open new funds, but also to work with you and your clients on planned giving, real estate and additions of complex assets.

Educational and Networking Events Throughout the year we hold special events, receptions and educational workshops exclusively for community foundation donors. Several of our popular giving circles offer their own networking and social events.

News and Updates We want to keep your clients informed on the latest community foundation news, charitable giving opportunities, and local and national philanthropic trends. An e-newsletter targeted specifically to donors and our new magazine, ONE: Innovation Trough Philanthropy, are among our publications containing timely information and resources to help your clients maximize their charitable giving throughout the year.

SeRViCeS We oFFeR YouR ClienTS

As a professional advisor, you are an important partner to Silicon Valley Community Foundation, and we want to honor your collaboration. The Valley Council is a special recognition group for professional advisors who work closely with us.

Membership Benefits

n Priority access to community foundation resources for professional advisors.

n Invitations to educational sessions, our annual Valley Council luncheon and other professional advisor events with fellow Valley Council members, the community foundation’s CEO and president and other staff.

n Your name and firm listed on the community foundation’s website in the Valley Council section.

Membership Qualifications

You qualify to be a member of the Valley Council for three years once you:

n Refer a client to Silicon Valley Community Foundation who subsequently opens a fund or makes an outright gift, or

n Attend at least one community foundation event, such as a professional advisor seminar or educational training.

Your three-year membership term begins with the most recent client referred or event attended. Membership forms can be obtained through our development department by calling the Professional Advisors Hotline at 650.450.5517 or by emailing [email protected].

HoW We PaRTneR WiTH You: ValleY CounCil


The Professional Advisor League is a group of up to 20 professional advisors who lead the Valley Council. These distinguished league members have a history of working closely with Silicon Valley Community Foundation by referring clients and colleagues to the community foundation, attending our events and serving as charitable giving resources in their respective

fields. Professional Advisor League members receive Valley Council membership benefits, review and develop Valley Council membership, and lead Valley Council activities. Members may serve up to two four-year terms and are invited to attend two annual events with fellow league members.

HoW We PaRTneR WiTH You: PRoFeSSional adViSoR leaGue

To read more about Silicon Valley Community Foundation, visit: www.siliconvalleycf.org

2440 West El Camino Real, Suite 300Mountain View, California 94040

tel: 650.450.5400fax: 650.450.5401

mountain View

Uncommon Benefits with the hometown teamSilicon Valley Community Foundation

Profiles in Partnering with us

John Hopkins

One of the best-known professional advisors in the Bay Area, John Hopkins co-founded the Hopkins & Carley law firm in 1968. In more than 50 years as an attorney, Hopkins has concentrated on tax, estate planning, family business, succession planning, charitable giving and foundations, real estate exchanges, sales, purchases, mergers and reorganization of businesses. When working with clients, Hopkins emphasizes that transferring business or tangible wealth is not only tax efficient, but it preserves and extends family values and wisdom to succeeding generations. “As an advisor,” he says, “I am always trying to discern what my clients need to create their legacy for the future.”

Hopkins’ commitment to the community is both personal and professional. He currently serves on several nonprofit boards and plans to remain involved with community organizations after his own retirement. He notes, “Working with my clients connects with my own sense of legacy. The rewarding part for me is when a client moves from a passive attitude toward philanthropy and becomes engaged in their philanthropy. When that happens, I see a transformation which makes their legacy to family and community real and present.”

Hopkins’ involvement with the community foundation includes active participation in the community foundation’s Professional Advisor League and serving on planning committees for conferences and seminars on planned and charitable giving. However, clients remain a key priority. “I like to refer clients to the community foundation as a primary resource for information. There is no other organization that covers the total spectrum of community and nonprofit organizations.”

Mark Vorsatz

As founder and CEO of Wealth and Tax Advisory Services, Mark Vorsatz works with clients on the design and implementation of income tax and estate planning strategies and preserving wealth for multi-generational families. Vorsatz’s knowledge, expertise and experience are widely recognized in the professional advisor community. He referred a number of clients to both Community Foundation Silicon Valley and Peninsula Community Foundation and is a member of Silicon Valley Community Foundation’s Professional Advisor League.

Vorsatz’s clients include founders or substantial shareholders of public companies, owners of closely held businesses and families with high-net worth. He works closely with these clients, connecting them with philanthropic resources to meet their charitable giving needs. “Many of my clients,” he says, “have been fortunate enough to create a substantial amount of wealth and have a sense of obligation to the community. Silicon Valley Community Foundation provides user-friendly solutions to assist clients in better defining their philanthropic objectives and optimizing the benefit of their contributions.”

Many of his clients receive no greater satisfaction than seeing the direct benefit of their charitable dollars at work in our community. But Vorsatz recognizes the importance of donor education. “The community foundation provides needed tools and resources so donors are equipped to address community needs and make a positive impact.”

Uncommon Benefits with the hometown team

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