As Chairman of the Omaha Community Foundation, Mike McCarthy has a lot to be excited about.

Since he became chairman in June 2003, donor accounts have increased by 70 percent and charitable assets have grown by 42 percent. Last year alone, the Foundation distributed more than $30 million on behalf of donor clients. A total of 72 new charitable giving accounts and foundations were opened. And 1,082 charitable programs and organizations received funding to advance their causes.

But what McCarthy is most excited about is what the Foundation is accomplishing for its individual donors.

"For each donor, the cause or philanthropic goal is personal and is the most important thing," McCarthy said. "What's most important to the Foundation is that we help each individual fulfill his or her desires."

Individual donors just like McCarthy himself.

Mike McCarthy, the longtime chairman of the McCarthy Group, Inc., and his wife, Nancy, opened a Charitable Checkbook account several years ago on the recommendation of their lawyer. The account offered a great way to use closely held stock to fund their charitable interests. When the McCarthys donated stock to the Foundation instead of selling it themselves, there was no capital gains tax because the not-for-profit Foundation received the full value of the stock. The Foundation then sent donations from the stock sale proceeds to charities and causes important to the McCarthys.

To involve their entire family in their philanthropy, the McCarthys later opened the McCarthy Family Donor Advised Fund. A Donor Advised Fund allows families to involve multiple generations in giving and works much like a simplified family foundation.

As a donor, Mike appreciates the flexibility the various Foundation accounts provide.

"As chairman, one of my primary responsibilities is to encourage others to join in this broad effort to increase philanthropy in Omaha," McCarthy said. "And I tell people that if they're charitably inclined, there's no more efficient way to deliver dollars to not-for-profit organizations than through the Omaha Community Foundation."