Top charitable giving & philanthropy financial advisors in Marion, IL

The right financial advisor for you depends on how you weigh location, expertise, experience, the clients they typically serve, and how they work with you.

If you want to make a meaningful impact with your wealth, you need an advisor who understands how to align your giving with your values and financial goals. A common mistake is focusing only on the donation amount without considering the timing and tax implications that can maximize your philanthropy's effectiveness.

  • Tax-aware giving strategies. Look for advisors who consider Illinois' lack of retirement income tax but high property taxes when planning your charitable contributions.
  • Gift timing and impact. Ask how they help schedule donations to balance your cash flow needs with the charity's funding cycles.
  • Integration with estate plans. Confirm they coordinate your philanthropy with wills and trusts to ensure your legacy wishes are honored.
  • Diverse giving vehicles. Inquire about their experience with different methods like donor-advised funds or charitable trusts to fit your unique situation.

Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.

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William H

Series 63, Series 66

Marion, IL

Raymond James Financial

William Hartmann is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 29 years of industry experience. He has worked at Raymond James and its affiliated firms since 2017 and previously spent two years at Hilliard Lyons. He is also involved with Arcadia Wealth Group, where he assists in portfolio management. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning and investment consulting to a wide range of clients, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and institutions. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary advisory services supported by analytical tools and manages specialized programs in municipal finance and SIMPLE IRA employer consulting.

Wealth management Tax strategies for small businesses Business succession planning General estate planning guidance Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Curtis W

Series 63, Series 65

Marion, IL

J. W. Cole Advisors, Inc.

Curtis Wharton is a financial advisor at J. W. Cole Advisors, Inc. with 27 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has been associated with Jonathan Roberts Advisory Group, Inc. and J.W. Cole Financial, Inc. since 2010. Outside of his advisory role, he works as a property and casualty insurance producer and is involved with Wharton Enterprises, Ltd. J.W. Cole Advisors is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, charities, corporations, and retirement plans through a national network of over 400 independent representatives. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, access to third-party managers, and various managed account solutions.

Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Retired Founder/Business Owner
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Lisa E

Series 63, Series 65

Marion, IL

LPL Financial

Lisa Emling is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 33 years of industry experience. She has been with LPL Financial since 2010 and leads First Southern Wealth Management since 2014. Outside of her advisory work, she serves on the City of Carbondale Economic Development Committee as chair of the Attracting and Retaining Business Sub-Committee and runs a retail crafts business called Back Roads Hand Crafted Decor. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer that serves individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers financial planning, advisory programs, retirement plan consulting, and brokerage services, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by research and model portfolios.

College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.)
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Beth W

Series 63, Series 65

Marion, IL

LPL Enterprise

Beth Walker is a financial advisor with LPL Enterprise, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 10 years of industry experience. Prior to joining LPL Enterprise in 2024, she worked at Prudential Insurance Company of America and Pruco Securities, LLC. She serves on the Parish and Finance Councils at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Regional Catholic Church and offers Medicare supplement products through Premier Senior Marketing. LPL Enterprise serves a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, corporations, and institutional clients through both advisory and brokerage channels. The firm provides financial planning, consulting, model portfolios, third-party asset management programs, and access to a range of brokerage and insurance products.

General retirement planning Tax-loss harvesting Self-Employed Founder/Business Owner
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Michael N

Series 65, Series 66

Marion, IL

Prospera Financial Services, inc.

Michael Nichols is a financial advisor at Prospera Financial Services, Inc. with 27 years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 66 licenses and previously worked at Cutter & Company Brokerage, Inc. for 21 years. Prospera Financial Services, Inc. is an enterprise-scale adviser and dually registered broker-dealer serving individuals, corporate and charitable entities, and retirement plans. The firm manages approximately $12.4 billion across about 207 advisors and offers a range of investment advisory and financial planning services through multiple delivery platforms.

Wealth management Active portfolio management Options & derivatives strategies Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Founder/Business Owner Retired
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Sally H

Series 63, Series 65

New York, NY

Seasons of Advice Wealth Management

Sally Hyman is a financial advisor at Seasons of Advice Wealth Management with 42 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked at Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Outside of finance, she is a singer who sells her own vocal CDs and is involved in publishing her father's book titled "Congenital Alterable Transmissible Asymmetry: The Spiritual Meaning of Disease and Science." Seasons of Advice Wealth Management provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, high net worth clients, trusts, small business owners, professionals, and families. The firm follows a life-cycle investment approach called the “Seasons of Advice” process and offers discretionary portfolio management, comprehensive financial planning, and specialized fixed-income programs through sub-advisors.

Charitable giving & philanthropy Business exit / sale strategy Founder/Business Owner Executive Mid-Career Professionals Established Professionals
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Richard M

Series 63

Fort Walton, FL

Cetera

Richard Martin is a financial advisor at Cetera with 29 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 63 designation and has a background that includes nearly three decades at Avantax Advisory Services and eight years at Avantax Insurance Agency. Outside of his advisory work, he is the owner and sole proprietor of Martin & Pellegrin, CPAs, a tax preparation and accounting firm. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm that serves a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm provides a multi-manager platform offering discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and access to various program structures and third-party money managers.

Wealth management Tax-loss harvesting Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Business exit / sale strategy Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Thaddeus P

CFP®, Series 63, Series 65

Grand Rapids, MI

Advance Wealth Management Service, LLC

Thaddeus Phelps is a CFP® professional with 28 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has worked at Advance Wealth Management Service, LLC since 2019 and previously spent 14 years with Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. In addition to his advisory work, Phelps owns a tax preparation business and an accounting support service, and he serves in fiduciary roles such as trustee and executor. Advance Wealth Management Service, LLC provides investment advisory and financial planning services primarily to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, and business entities. The firm offers discretionary investment management through a wrap asset management program and emphasizes an individualized approach with asset allocation supported by fundamental, sector, and technical analysis, including risk management strategies such as put options and conservative cash instruments.

College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Charitable giving & philanthropy General estate planning guidance General tax planning Options & derivatives strategies

Edward B

Series 63, Series 65, Series 66

Forest Hills, NY

Merrill

Edward Blatz serves as a Senior Resident Director and Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch. He specializes in working with high net-worth individuals and families, focusing on estate and wealth management needs. Since joining Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 1985, he has provided personalized financial solutions tailored to his clients' risk tolerance, time horizon, liquidity needs, and investment goals. Edward's expertise encompasses a range of areas including college education planning, divorce transition planning, employee benefits, executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, managing new wealth, individual and corporate investment strategies, and retirement income planning. He collaborates closely with clients' tax advisors and estate planning attorneys to ensure comprehensive management of clients' financial and personal affairs. Edward is recognized as a member of The Blatz-Rooney Group, which was named to the 2024 Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams" list. Edward holds a Bachelor's Degree from Adelphi University and has earned several professional designations including Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Outside of his professional work, he has interests in golfing, reading, and tennis.

Wealth management General estate planning guidance Family Business Retirement income strategy Divorce financial planning
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Patrick F

Series 66

New Market, MD

Intentional

Patrick Ferguson is a financial advisor at Intentional, LLC with 17 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments and Commonwealth Financial Network. In addition to his advisory role, Ferguson is licensed to sell fixed and traditional insurance products. Intentional provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning primarily for individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as retirement plan consulting for businesses and institutions. The firm combines fundamental, technical, and economic analysis in its investment approach and offers due diligence and monitoring of alternative and private investments for qualified investors.

Business succession planning Charitable giving & philanthropy Founder/Business Owner
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