When Robin Fabricius, Great Bend attorney, talks with clients about finances and estate planning, charitable giving sometimes is part of the conversation. Once that happens, Fabricius often takes the opportunity to steer those clients to the Golden Belt Community Foundation for its expertise on charitable giving.
And she is encouraging other professional advisors to do the same.
“My clients are intrigued by what the Golden Belt Community Foundation has to offer,” Fabricius said. “They are impressed with the flexibility and convenience it affords.”
Fabricius is an estate planning and elder law attorney at Watkins Calcara Chartered. In this position, she shares information about the GBCF with clients of all ages and income levels.
 “The topic oftentimes turns to how clients can support their favorite charities, now and in the future,” Fabricius noted. “Many want to organize their current giving, while also planning for how their estates’ assets will be distributed later on. In both cases, the Foundation can help in so many ways.
“It can offer the most convenient and flexible methods for guaranteeing assets go where clients want them to go,” she explained. “The Foundation takes care of everything.”
Fabricius noted that Christy Tustin, GBCF executive director and attorney, understands the complexities involved in financial planning.
“Christy also realizes that clients may change their minds and she can accommodate those changes any time,” Fabricius said. “The Foundation can make any adjustments, which is great for the clients because no attorneys’ fees are involved. This is so much easier than changing a will.”
Like Fabricius, Bob Hiss, local financial advisor, also guides clients to Tustin and the Foundation when appropriate.
“Many clients who support churches or other charitable causes during their lifetime want to continue giving today, while also arranging for perpetual gifts,” said Hiss of Hiss Sherman Wealth Management. “They want to ensure that the charities important to them continue to benefit from their donations in the future.
“I have noticed that clients are grateful we have this great local Foundation available to us,” Hiss continued. “They know it cares for and supports local charities. It has been very beneficial for clients to sit down with Christy and discuss their options one-on-one.”
Tustin has collaborated with professional advisors in Barton, Pawnee, Stafford and Rush counties, which comprise the Foundation’s service area.
 “We are doing our best to increase the number of legal and financial advisors who make referrals to us,” Tustin commented. “Once they realize how we can make life easier for their clients, we can develop a great philanthropic partnership.
 “Creating a charitable plan takes time and expertise, and we have both,” Tustin said. “We can provide information on local organizations and projects, and be a resource on creative ways to support these local worthy causes.”
Anyone wanting to find out more about the Golden Belt Community Foundation is encouraged to call 620-792-3000, or access information online at gbcf@goldenbeltcf.org.