Submitted information and photos:

More than 60 attorneys, accountants, and financial advisors gathered August 20 for Cobb Community Foundation’s Professional Advisor Rooftop Sunset Social, an evening designed to strengthen connections among Cobb’s professional advisor community while sharing practical strategies for charitable giving — all with a stunning sunset view.

Held at the Comcast rooftop at The Battery, the event brought together members of CCF’s Professional Advisor Network (PAN) for conversation, networking and a fast-paced program focused on four timely charitable giving strategies.

The program featured insights from Rick Bennett of Bennett Thrasher, Terri Munro of Waverly Advisors, Susan Tillery of Paraklete Financial, Peter Stathopoulos of Bennett Thrasher and Tony Turner of Cohen Pollock Merlin Turner. The speakers shared practical ideas advisors can use to help clients make thoughtful, tax-smart charitable giving decisions.

Topics included how a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) can turn a required retirement distribution into a tax-efficient charitable gift, how Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) can help clients build a charitable legacy while keeping flexible options for the future, the “best kept secret” of employer childcare tax credits and how they can help businesses support working families, and how thoughtful estate planning can help clients turn charitable intentions into lasting legacies. The evening also provided an opportunity for professional advisors to connect with one another and learn more about the resources available through CCF’s Professional Advisor Network.

“Our goal through PAN is to be a resource for advisors—to provide timely information and opportunities to connect through periodic events, a monthly newsletter, tools and case studies, so they can better support the charitable goals of the clients they serve,” said Shari Martin, President & CEO of Cobb Community Foundation. “The network is designed to support advisors on the charitable side of their client relationships while they continue to lead those relationships.”

The Rooftop Sunset Social was made possible through the support of CCF’s Corporate Community Champions and event sponsors.

“It was a pleasure to sponsor the Cobb Community Foundation’s Sunset Social,” said Rick Bennett, Co-Founding Partner of Bennett Thrasher and a member of Cobb Community Foundation’s Board of Directors. “As a longtime member of the community, I’m proud to support CCF’s work and to champion philanthropy. It’s an honor to connect my peers with opportunities to make a meaningful difference and to continue building a legacy of involvement alongside my Bennett Thrasher family.”

Professional advisors interested in joining the network can learn more at bit.ly/CCFPAN or contact [email protected].

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