Billy Graham once powerfully stated, “If a person gets his attitude toward money straight, it will help straighten out almost every other area in his life.” This quote represents one of the many reasons giving was the foundational component of FM Financial’s identity and why we remain as committed as ever to helping clients give with joy.
It may surprise you to learn FM Financial was first established to help clients give. You won’t find that model in any “how-to” book in the financial services industry. But it wasn’t until a decade into our existence that we began the journey that resulted in GuideStream Financial, a registered investment advisory firm offering financial planning and investment services.
For individuals, it is our hope that by helping you plan with purpose and invest with discipline, you will be in a better position to give with joy. For organizations, we want to help build a thriving stewardship culture where planning and investing put your finances on solid ground, and giving conversations happen naturally. When families are financially healthy, and churches are financially healthy, they are both able to practice generosity and more fully focus on the mission to bring wholeness to the world by loving God, loving people, and multiplying followers of Jesus.
In this newsletter, you will find an article regarding various methods of giving, including some important year-end-giving dates and reminders. We would be happy to talk with you or your church/ministry about any of these tax-wise strategies and how they might benefit your specific situation. In many cases, we can also help facilitate the gift.
You will also find an article on charitable estate planning. Giving through a bequest in your estate planning documents or a beneficiary designation on one of your financial accounts are both easy and fulfilling ways to give with joy. It would be our privilege to meet with you and connect you with Christian attorneys who are passionate about helping you give through your estate.
Today’s technology enables us to help more people across a wider space through virtual conversations, workshops, and meetings. Electronic communications and transactions help gifts happen more efficiently, benefiting both the giver and recipient. Be on the lookout for future announcements of webinars from FM Financial. As we continue to grow and adapt, giving with joy will always remain at the heart of who we are and all we do.
Mark Olson
President / CEO
Click Here for Other Articles in the September 2025 Newsletter