Early Success for New SYC Member

• Kirk O’Brien was in the process of renewing a client’s will when he noticed her situation had changed. The client was now dedicating a substantial amount of money to charity – and O’Brien saw an opportunity.

  “I decided to tell her about Supporting Your Community (SYC),” says O’Brien, BMO Harris, Director of Wealth Services, “I knew the program could help her manage her giving and provide her with a significant tax advantage.”

  Soon after his initial discussion O’Brien introduced his client to Leanne Hammond Komori, Executive Director of the Central Okanagan Foundation. “She took the time to come and meet with my client and they hit it off right away,” says O’Brien. “The client was very comfortable with how the community foundation could manage her giving and established a $25,000 through the SYC program.”

  As Komori explains, “Kirk’s introduction paved the way for me to build a relationship with a wonderful new supporter of the foundation. She has a variety of interests and I was able to find the perfect fit for her giving intentions.” Like most community foundations, the Central Okanagan Foundation has a community fund that is responsive over time to changing community needs. “The income from Kirk’s client’s new named fund will go directly to the community fund to help a variety of projects in keeping with the donor’s wishes.”

  “It was a win-win all around,” says O’Brien, who mentions SYC whenever it’s time to discuss executor duties or renew a will with a client.

  “I’ve found that SYC definitely helps me with my clients,” he says. “It’s a good way to strengthen relationships. It opens the door and it has become part of my planning process.”

  O’Brien and Komori are now planning an SYC gathering to build on their partnership and its success story.