Timothy H. Knecht, the 2026 Philanthropic Advisor Award recipient, is a Flint attorney with Cline, Cline & Griffin, with a practice in business law, real estate, wills, trusts, elder law, estate planning and probate litigation. 

"In my day job, I devote much of my life to estate planning, helping families make a plan to pass along their assets upon their death," Knecht shared. "After someone dies, I assist families in making the transition as seamless and smooth as possible. To receive an award for this work warms my heart." 

Knecht has been involved with CFGF since its 1988 inception as a member of its Trusted Advisors Group (formerly known as the F.A.N. Club), board of trustees, and as a former board chair. He also served on the Arthur Tuuri Health Fund Committee, the Grand Blanc Community Fund Advisory Committee, and the Fenton Community Fund Advisory Committee. 

Knecht's memberships include the Genesee County Bar Association, State Bar of Michigan, and Centennial American Inn of Court. 

"Planning an estate, planning for your death is often stressful. Part of my job is trying to make both the planning process and the process of transition after someone's death as easy on families as possible," Knecht said. "With my office and my staff of excellent people, I am most proud of the work we do in making all this happen." 

About the Award 

The Philanthropic Advisor Award is presented from time to time to an outstanding person in the fields of financial advising, estate planning, wealth management, accounting, or insurance who demonstrates knowledge of and behaviors in philanthropic service to Genesee County.