Nestled in the north region of the Ozarks are two generations of financial advisors who continually refer clients to the Community Foundation and mindfully invest in the local community.
In the spring of 2002, Sam Rhoades, then a financial advisor in Mountain Home, along with other leaders like Judy Loving, Ed Matthews, and Pat Lile, worked together to start the Twin Lakes affiliate of the Community Foundation. In later years, Estella Tullgren, now Sam’s wife, would lead the affiliate.
“While working with clients as a certified financial planner, I noticed that several of my charitable clients were donating to nonprofits outside our community,” Rhoades said. “The Foundation was a great way to channel those donations locally. I worked closely with estate attorneys like Randall Drake to bring new fundholders to the Foundation and develop deferred endowments, many of which are beginning to materialize now.”
His son Jackson Rhoades is the president and CEO of Financial Services & Investment Strategies Group (FSISG). The younger Rhoades has followed in his father’s footsteps as a certified financial planner who expertly manages his clients’ portfolios. He not only refers clients to the Foundation but also holds multiple funds of his own. The FSISG team works to integrate investment management with philanthropic, tax and estate planning.
“I enjoy investing to help good things become extraordinary. Through my fund, I support several causes like education, health, and wellness, among others,” Jackson said. “My local favorites are the hospital, Baxter Health, hospice, Mountain Home Public Schools, and the Rotary Foundation, but there are many more. When a co-worker and friend tragically passed away, I started David’s Trail, a 501(c)(3) to remember his community contributions — resulting in the Ozarks Keystone Trail.”
“Jackson has always been interested in doing things that improve the community,” said Sam. “His mother, Mary, set a great example for giving to others. Jackson, Becca, and the FSISG team have grown the business and the number of charitable funds.”
“My mom and dad led by example,” said Jackson. “So, I have spent years giving my time, treasure, and talents to community service and volunteerism. I took graduate classes in philanthropic leadership and design while Dad focused on kickstarting the Twin Lakes affiliate. While my professional focus is optimizing portfolios for growth and income, my philanthropic aspirations are to improve communities and local charitable organizations with permanent income streams. I love both, doing good work with clients.”
Sam Rhoades laid the groundwork all those years ago for a solid philanthropic culture in his business, his family and the Twin Lakes region. Jackson is building on his father’s legacy through his leadership at FSISG.
“Clients love how well their endowments with the Foundation can carry their stories forward, providing perpetual funding for the causes they care about,” continued Jackson. “Their funds allow them to align their stories and interests with elegant efficiency and to make changes when they see fit. While we mourn clients’ passing, we celebrate their memories via the perpetual community assets they leave behind.
“Philanthropic planning is its own reward. Arkansas Community Foundation allows our clients to connect their portfolios with what matters to them in flexible and innovative ways and continue to support those organizations for many generations.”