Many professional advisors in our community actively engage with the Community Foundation and work together to make a positive difference in our region. Through our trusted relationships with local firms like Kelly Law Firm, the Community Foundation provides confidential philanthropic expertise through vast community knowledge, and an understanding of complex gifts and giving options that fit a client’s needs and wishes.

Don’t just take our word for it. See what professional advisors say about working with our Community Foundation to help their clients with meaningful and impactful philanthropic giving.

Prominent local estate planning attorney Charles “Chuck” Kelly has a long-standing history with the Community Foundation. Our longest-serving board member and former board chair, Kelly originally joined the Community Foundation in 1981 and has generously given his time to the Community Foundation in several roles over the years.

“I have seen the phenomenal growth of the Foundation,” he said. “From the Port Huron District Foundation, limited to serving Port Huron principally through fundraising drives for brick-and-mortar improvements, to our present county-wide Foundation which, through its over 300 charitable funds, allows donors to meet their own charitable goals throughout — and for the benefit of — our entire county.”

Kelly is dedicated to helping people find the best avenue to meet their philanthropic goals and has helped many clients over the years by collaborating with the Community Foundation to identify opportunities.

“In so many cases we, my clients and I, worked together with Foundation staff who presented the many options to help meet the client’s objectives—each time I invariably learned something I was not aware of,” he said. “At all times the staff was so kind and patient—and totally professional. They helped me fulfill my clients’ hopes and ultimately helped their charitable beneficiaries and our entire community.”

Kelly has been an integral part of many local collaborative efforts and developments and knows our community well. He knows that no matter what you put into your work for the good of the community, you get more out of it yourself.  

As someone who is also service-minded, Kelly Law Firm partner Janal L. Mossett first became involved with the Community Foundation through the Women’s Initiative. Today, she is a board member and active on several Foundation committees in addition to serving in several other leadership roles around the community.

“I have learned more about philanthropy from the Community Foundation than any other source, especially as it relates to seeing how the Foundation helps to forge partnerships with and between people, charitable organizations, and governmental entities and, subsequently, witnessing the benefits of a successful partnership,” she said.

Through her professional work, Mosett builds a partnership with the Community Foundation, connecting her philanthropic-minded clients with our knowledgeable and dedicated team to advance a common goal of bettering our community.

“The Foundation is a great resource for knowledge of opportunities for giving and the methods for ensuring that a client’s charitable wishes are accomplished,” she said. “Knowing that I can rely on the Community Foundation to help my clients meet their goals is very reassuring.”

Giving back to the community is important to Janal. She was born and raised in the Blue Water area and is now raising her family here. She knows the Community Foundation is addressing our region’s opportunities and challenges by connecting like-minded donors and community partners who want to improve our quality of life.

Kelly Law Firm attorney Kellen Lynch Elliott knows that collaborations like the one between the Community Foundation and the law firm can have a real and measurable impact on the community. She is active in various local nonprofits, including the Community Foundation where she is a Women’s Initiative member and has helped on several project-focused initiatives. She sees the tangible results of these partnerships throughout the community.

“From the development of the Blue Water River Walk and Bridge to Bay Trail, to its promotion of food security, to its support of our local schools, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations, the Foundation enriches our lives and the lives of our neighbors in a meaningful way,” she said.

Elliott and her colleagues at the law firm are committed to meeting their clients’ needs. She knows that through the Community Foundation, she can assist her clients in achieving their philanthropic intentions.

“Working together to see our clients’ dreams come to life is a privilege and an honor,” Elliott said. “I appreciate that the Foundation is responsive to my clients’ needs and innovative in crafting solutions to unique planning issues. I look forward to many more years of partnership!”

Kellen returned home to practice law and raise her family after several years on the west side of the state. She sees the positive impact different major projects like the River Walk have made in the area and is always willing to be at the table to help our community prosper.

Kelly Law has been a preeminent law firm in the St. Clair County and Thumb areas of Michigan for over 100 years. Today its attorneys continue its tradition of providing excellent legal services for individuals, families and businesses. 

By working together to address philanthropic goals, professional advisors can make a substantial and lasting difference in our community. The Community Foundation deeply values the support of Kelly Law Firm whose partnership will help our region prosper for years to come.