As Thanksgiving approaches, many of us slow down to reflect on the people and experiences that shaped our year. At Premier Financial Group, that always leads us to recognize our immense gratitude for our clients, our team, and our community.

Gratitude and generosity have long gone hand in hand for us. Appreciation is one of our core values, and giving back is how we put that value into action. 

Rooted in Community: A Legacy of Giving Back

Our founders made philanthropy part of Premier’s identity from the beginning. In the 1990s, we began working with the Humboldt Area Foundation, which helps donors give through donor advised funds. That early relationship planted a mindset of giving back that has guided us ever since.

As Premier grew, so did the number of local organizations asking for our support. Having a thoughtful approach to giving helped us decide how to respond to those requests. Over time, what began as a way to channel support grew into one of the most meaningful parts of who we are.

Finding our Focus in Local Healthcare

More than 15 years ago, our community came together to fund a new tower for Providence St. Joseph Hospital, a project costing roughly $135 million. Donors across the region stepped up in a big way, and we were inspired by local professionals who made a simple but powerful point: Without great healthcare, we don’t really have a community.

That idea resonated deeply. Local healthcare affects our team, our clients, and all of their families. In a rural community, attracting and keeping healthcare providers is an ongoing challenge. That is why supporting local healthcare has become our primary philanthropic focus.

We also support organizations that strengthen healthcare access and capacity in other ways. Home-based palliative care, for example, helps people with chronic conditions receive care at home, which can reduce trips to the hospital.

Giving Back in 2026

This year, our team was proud to support several organizations doing important work in our community:

  • Hospice of Humboldt: In September, we joined Hospice of Humboldt in celebrating the achievement of its fundraising goal to significantly expand its Home-Based Palliative Care Program. The celebration included the unveiling of conference room signage recognizing Premier’s 2026 leadership donation.
  • Kiwanis Club of Henderson Center: To mark its 75th anniversary, the club is raising $150,000 to improve and replace the playground at Carson Park in Eureka. We were inspired to donate to this initiative, and the club continues seeking the community’s support.
  • Humboldt Domestic Violence Services: Our team took part in the organization’s Bingo Night fundraiser in Fortuna in September.
  • Walk to End Alzheimer’s: Team members participated in the 2026 walk.

The Connection Between Gratitude and Generosity

The holidays invite us to think about our closest loved ones and the impact they have on us throughout the year. It’s also a time to remember the people who are no longer with us.

For us, gratitude comes down to a few simple practices:

  • Being present and appreciating the moments as they happen
  • Recognizing the people who matter most in our lives
  • Sharing our appreciation with them, not just feeling it

Generosity All Year Long

We don’t necessarily give more during the holidays. Philanthropy is something we think about year-round, so the season matters less than the purpose behind it. 

Instead, the holidays are a time to celebrate what our giving has made possible. As planners, we also treat the end of the year as a natural checkpoint. We look back on what our business, our team, and our clients accomplished, and we start thinking about what comes next, including how we can continue to give back.

Giving with Purpose

Many of our clients have been fortunate financially and want to use that success to support causes they care about. They usually already know where they want to give. We guide them to give in the smartest way possible.

What Is the Most Tax-Efficient Way to Give to Charity?

Generally, when clients ask the best way to make a gift, we look at options in this order:

  1. Giving from an IRA: For clients who have reached the qualifying age, donating directly from an IRA is often the best scenario.
  2. Donating appreciated assets: For clients who are younger or don’t have an IRA, gifting investments that have grown in value can be a smart alternative.
  3. Giving cash: Typically the last resort for larger gifts because it has already been taxed. For more modest donations, writing a check can still make sense. 

We also help facilitate the gift itself and confirm that the recipient is an eligible organization.

Because we are planners, we encourage clients to think about their giving well before the end of the year. Sometimes a client completes their IRA withdrawals for the year and only then decides they want to support a cause. They can often still give, but building the gift into their distribution plan from the start may have served them better.

Why plan charitable giving before year-end?

Planning charitable gifts before year-end can help donors coordinate contributions with their tax strategy, required minimum distributions, and broader financial goals. For some donors, the timing and source of a gift can make a meaningful difference in its tax treatment.

Counting Our Blessings

Gratitude inspires generosity, and generosity strengthens the communities we share. Philanthropy has been a significant part of the Premier story, and we look forward to continuing to give back and make a meaningful difference in the communities we serve.

If you are thinking about your own charitable goals for this year or next, we would love to help. Reach out to our team to start the conversation.