We love talking about philanthropy and how individuals and families can incorporate charitable giving into their estate plans. As we’ve mentioned previously on the Wealth & Law Podcast, there are numerous ways that individuals and families can give to charity besides simply writing a check. One great way to give to charities is by setting up a donor advised fund.

We bring on Erin K. MacDonald this week to talk all about donor advised funds. We get into what a donor advised fund is, how to set one up, the differences between a donor advised fund and a private foundation, how donor advised funds can fit in with an individual’s estate plan, and what possible changes the future may bring to donor advised funds.

Erin is a partner in the Trusts and Estates Department of Karnopp Petersen. She regularly counsels clients in the areas of estate planning, probate and trust administration, tax planning, and charitable giving. Erin believes that building a good relationship with her clients is essential in order to address the needs of her clients, their families, and their futures.

Erin is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), and a Member of the Executive Committee of the Oregon State Bar’s Estate Planning and Administration Section. She is a Member of the Oregon State Bar’s Estate Planning and Elder Law Sections, Central Oregon Estate Planning Council, Oregon Women Lawyers, Cascade Women Lawyers, and Deschutes County Bar Association.

Erin actively participates in the local community as a board member of the Central Oregon Community College Foundation and the Laboratory for the American Conversation at OSU Cascades. She is also an Advisory Board member of the Central Oregon Estate Planning Counsel, U.S. Bank’s Central and Eastern Oregon Region, and Assistance League of Bend.

You can find Erin on Twitter @erinkmacdonald and can learn more about her work at https://karnopp.com/team/macdonald-erin-k/.