It Is January…Let’s Get Donating!

It Is January…Let’s Get Donating!

Julianne Shenk

JBS Nonprofit Consulting

1 January 2019

New Year, New You. We hear it every year, and it may stick…until February 1^st.

Another frequently uttered phrase, “I need to donate more time, money, etc. to charity this year”…gain, it may stick, may not.

Nonprofit organizations need help All Year Long. Of course, of course I encourage you to make a donation of your time or money this January, but I also encourage you to give of those same things all throughout the year. If you are in the position that you can only make a one-time donation, do it. Please, do it. If you are able to split your donation or time up over the course of the year, do it. Recurring donations provide funding to your favorite organization throughout the year. For example, a monthly gift allows you to spread the financial impact of your giving across the entire year, lessening the serious financial impact a one-time donation may cause.

Contact the organization that you are considering donating to and ask about their policies for recurring giving/donations.

I encourage you to donate how you want, to the organization you want, how often you want, and how much you want. Recurring donations are just one option.

New year, new you, new me.

Pick an organization that means something to you (peruse my past blog http://jbsnonprofitconsulting.blogspot.com/2017/01/ for guidance to choose an organization).

Let’s make 2019 a charitable giving year!

Angel Trees and Giving Trees

Angel Trees and Giving Trees

December 1, 2018

Julianne Shenk

JBS Nonprofit Consulting

I recently received a message asking me about Angel Trees and Giving Trees and their legitimacy. I am hoping to answer some of those questions in a broad way. Each town, school, church, etc. is different. For the purposes of this blog, I will use the term “giving tree” as Angel Tree is a specific term for the tree used by and copyrighted by The Salvation Army (which I will also touch upon in this blog).

Many churches/temples/synagogues have a giving tree or similar program to help less fortunate families have a nice Christmas/Hanukah.  My opinion, is that these are legitimate programs to help those in need. Your religious institution looks for members of the congregation and local community to find those in need. You know indirectly (or directly if your church and those families choose to publish that information) where your donation is going.  

Many grocery stores, libraries, and other city buildings, etc. also participate in giving programs. If it is not made clear as to where your donation is going, or who your donation is helping…ask. Ask questions.

The Salvation Army has the most well-known giving program, The Angel Tree.

“The true impact of the Great Recession is tough to measure. Americans have lost money, jobs and homes. Our families and friends may have fallen on hard times. Some who had little to begin with now have less and are working harder every day to make it to tomorrow. These same families who are struggling to meet the financial demands of day-to-day life question how they might provide a gift or two for their children on Christmas Day. Every child deserves to experience the joy of Christmas morning. And thanks to supporters of The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, thousands of American children will find this waiting under their Christmas trees this year. The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program provides new clothing or toys for children of needy families through the support of donors. Found in local companies and corporations, Angel Trees are decorated with numbered paper angel tags with the first name, age and gender of a child in need of presents. Contributors remove one or more tags from the tree and purchase appropriate gifts for the child or children described on the tags.”[1]

To support an angel in your town, please go to: https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/usc/locations

To sponsor a tree or sign up to volunteer, follow the same link.

I hope this helps a little in the discussion of giving trees. If you are able, please consider helping an angle in need this year.

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[1] https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/usc/news/christmas_angel_tree_

Are Political Donations Tax Deductible?

Are Political Donations Tax Deductible?

Julianne Shenk

JBS Nonprofit Consulting

8 November 2018

I was recently sent a message on my website asking if one can claim their recent political candidate donations on their taxes as deductions.  In a word, No.

Per the IRS:

“You can’t deduct contributions made to a political candidate, a campaign committee, or a newsletter fund. Advertisements in convention bulletins and admissions to dinners or programs that benefit a political party or political candidate aren’t deductible.”[1]

This includes Political Action Committees (PACs).

This is a short one folks; you cannot deduct your personal campaign/candidate donations on your taxes.

Photo by: ALEX GARDELS

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[1] https://www.irs.gov/