Good Advice for the Advisor

Susan Bart is an estate planning attorney and wealth advisor at ArentFox Schiff.

When it comes to her own philanthropy, Bart’s approach is both strategic and big-picture. She supports a variety of causes such as education, civil liberties, the environment, and the arts.

One busy year-end season, Bart found herself pressed for time to make charitable gift decisions with her usual care and thoughtfulness. She decided to create a donor advised fund at the Trust, which allowed her to take the charitable deduction that year but postpone the selection of recipients until her workload quieted down.

More than two decades later, Bart continues to benefit from the efficiency and flexibility of her Trust donor advised fund. She’s also a valued partner who regularly collaborates with the Trust by making client referrals and working directly with the Trust’s team of experts to help her clients achieve their charitable goals.

“When my clients work with the Trust, they gain access to the same expertise that I personally gained when I established my donor advised fund,” Bart says. “The Trust has its ear to the ground on the needs in Chicago and the different organizations that are addressing them. When I call, the staff are there to help me and my clients very quickly. They will work with you in whatever way you’re most comfortable, and that’s really important.”