End of Year Charitable Donations

End of Year Donations

Julianne Shenk

JBS Nonprofit Consulting

19 December 2015

“Where should I donate?” What charity should I donate to?” “Who in our community needs help?” “How can I get a deduction for this year?”

First, thank you for donating your time and/or hard earned money to someone in need. It truly is the greatest gift you can give.

Second, a special thank you for considering donating during the holiday season when everyone is a little light in the wallet.

Third, consider making it a twice a year or quarterly gesture…and feel free to check back here or get in touch with me directly for worthy charities/organizations that need your help.

I have compiled a small list of local (Austin, Texas and surrounding areas) as well as national organizations. These are just a few organizations you may consider donating to before the end of the year.  **Important tax information follows the list.

Local:

1.     The Texas Stars Foundation.  I have worked with and for this organization. My love of hockey and passion for nonprofits made this a perfect match. I have personally seen where the money goes. Monies go straight back into our community. The TSF recognition of the local community as well as our military members and their families is truly awesome. Please take a minute to peruse their website and discover all of the wonderful things the foundation does and where their donations have gone.  

To make a donation contact Texas Stars Foundation Director, Danielle Barone at: foundation@texasstarshockey.com  Website: http://www.texasstars.com/foundation

2.     Giving UT Texas. Those of you that know me personally know that I bleed burnt orange (with a teeny-tiny stripe of maroon). The UT giving initiative allows you to donate to the University directly for overall need or a designated campaign. Explore the website and see if your interests match up to a campaign in need. Website: http://giving.utexas.edu/

3.     Longhorns Pancakes for Parkinson’s. Longhorn students, faculty and staff honor Dr. James Vick, former VP for Student Affairs and a current Professor of Mathematics, and ALL OF THOSE who have Parkinson’s disease at the University of Texas. Put on by the Texas Round Table every spring. Please visit: http://www.longhornsp4p.com/ for details to participate or make a donation.  ** I personally support this event. My son Kiefer, a recent UT graduate from the McCombs School of Business, ran this event last year. I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Vick. It is a great event that the whole campus looks forward to every year. The event is run in conjunction with the Michael J Fox Foundation.

National:

1.     Fisher House Foundation. This is also an organization that I have had the pleasure to work for and with. The FHF is best known for a network of comfort homes where military and veterans’ families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment.  Admin costs (6.6%) and fundraising costs (2.4%) are low, with 91% of funds going straight to the programs (FYE 2014). Please visit their webpage for more information and details as to how to donate. Website: https://www.fisherhouse.org/

2.     Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Not as well known as another “very pink” charity, The BCRF spends very little on admin costs (2.4%) and 92% on its programs and services (FYE June 2014). The BCRF is working hard for a cure rather than spending funds on advertising, sponsorship and merchandise development.  Website: http://www.bcrfcure.org/

3.     LIVESTRONG Foundation. Albeit, this may be a controversial choice, but I will give you my personal backstory as to why I continue to support the LF. My son interned here for two years and was involved with fundraising. The people he met, both supporters and survivors, moved him. Additionally, last year my youngest brother was diagnosed with cancer in his eye and received support from the Livestrong Foundation.  The admin costs (6.2%) and fundraising costs (6.8%) take into account that the organization had to go through a bit of rebranding, rebuilding, and rebirth (FYE December 2013). Please visit their website for more details and testimonials. Website: http://www.livestrong.org/   

 

ATTENTION: To be eligible for deductions from this year’s taxes (2015) donations must be made by 11:59PM 31 December 2015. Donations made after this time will be counted on your 2016 taxes. As always, refer to the individual organization’s tax deduction policy to affirm that your donations are indeed tax-deductible.