Major financial transitions often create significant opportunities for charitable planning—especially when the conversation begins before the transaction takes place.
When a longtime business owner began preparing to sell their company, they faced a familiar challenge: how to manage a significant tax event while preserving the flexibility to make a meaningful charitable impact over time.
The client assembled an experienced advisory team, including financial advisor Evan Harris of Harris Financial, a fifth-generation Montanan and longtime community partner, along with their CPA and Whitefish Community Foundation. Together, they evaluated charitable giving strategies before the sale to identify an approach that aligned the client's financial, tax, and philanthropic goals.
After reviewing the available options, the client established a Donor Advised Fund at Whitefish Community Foundation. The fund provided an immediate charitable tax benefit while allowing the client to recommend grants to nonprofits over time as their charitable priorities evolved. They also valued the Foundation's deep knowledge of the local nonprofit community and the ability to support charitable organizations both in the Flathead Valley and across the country.
The outcome demonstrates the value of bringing charitable planning into the conversation early. By working collaboratively before the sale closed, the advisory team helped the client reduce taxes, simplify future giving, and create a lasting charitable legacy.
That collaborative philosophy is central to Evan and Harris Financial's work. In addition to guiding clients through complex financial decisions, the firm is deeply invested in nonprofit board service and support for local organizations participating in the Great Fish Community Challenge. They believe that when financial advisors, CPAs, attorneys, and philanthropic professionals work together, clients are better positioned to achieve their financial goals while making a meaningful charitable impact.
Back to all articles
