Local advisors recognized for growing charitable giving

March 10, 2022

This week, we honored 17 professional advisors who referred clients to open charitable funds at the Foundation and through our partner, Yolo Community Foundation, during the past year. Because of their efforts, charitable funds with diverse charitable purposes were established in 2021, growing philanthropic giving in the region.

“A great deal of impact in our community has started with professional advisors asking their clients, ‘What difference do you want to make in the world?’ and using their expertise to help their clients reach those goals. Starting those conversations is tremendously powerful,” said Linda Beech Cutler, the Foundation's chief executive. “It’s our honor to recognize these professionals who help their clients take the next step and establish a charitable fund at the Foundation because they believe in the power of philanthropy.”

See resources for professional advisors

Honored as “Bridge Builders” because of the connections they forge between the Foundation and individuals, families, and businesses with charitable desires, this year’s awardees are:

• Leslie A. Arnal, Law Offices of Tobey & Arnal
• Jim Belenis, Tridea Advisors
• Jennie Bretschneider, Esq., Davis Wills & Trusts
• Kay Brooks, Weintraub Tobin Law Corporation
• Jeff Christensen, The Law Office of Jeffrey Christensen
• Stephanie Cripe, Pokorny & Associates, PC
• Terri L. Easlon, Drobny Law Offices, Inc.
• Rachel Eaton, Wells Fargo Advisors, PC
• Elfrena Foord, Arata Brothers Trust
• Irving B. Joseph, Meissner Joseph Palley & Ruggles, Inc.
• Eric Miller, Boutin Jones, Inc.
• Nethanel Pokorny, Pokorny & Associates, PC
• Colin T. Smith, Law Office of Colin T. Smith
• Martin Steiner, Foundation Board Member
• Joseph Sullivan, Joseph M. Sullivan, CPA
• Robert L. Tate, Tate Group
• Belan Wagner, Wagner, Kirkman, Blain, Klomparens & Youmans LLP

The virtual ceremony also paid homage to Don Poole, a legendary estate planning attorney who helped transform philanthropy in this region. By making it a priority to start conversations with his clients about including charitable giving in their estate plans, Poole is responsible for the establishment of charitable funds at the Foundation that have granted more than $6 million to important causes.

Since 1983, the Foundation has been the primary provider of philanthropic services in El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, and Yolo counties and, together with its fundholders, has granted more than $200 million in grants and scholarships.