In Their Own Words.....


"If you have a client who wishes to give back 
to their community,  the Community Foundation is the answer.  
They provide the highest quality services 
and protect my client's interests 
at the same level of integrity I do.  
They truly make charitable giving simple."
 
Ted A. Meyers, Meyers & Flowers, St. Charles
Tips for Wise Giving
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Donating to charity is a generous and rewarding act. When you decide  to give, there are several points to consider to ensure your donation makes an impact.

Allison Gwinn from Parade Magazine offers tips for wise giving in her article "Chairty Do's and Dont's." 

Gwinn recommends putting quality thought into choosing a charity. Do not feel pressured to give to a charity just because you were asked. Research charities' websites and use online tools such as  charitynavigator.org, guidestar.org, or the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance ( give.org) to review charity ratings and financial stats. Gwinn also suggests contacting the charity to ask questions, or visiting the facility in person. 

She also warns donors not to spread themselves to thin. It is better to give a larger amount to a couple of charities than to give a little to many charities. This is due to administrative and fund-raising fees that are taken out of your total donation. Fees like these will eat up smaller offerings. 

Finally, Gwinn suggests going in with family, friends or co-workers to make a group donation. This is helpful for donors who feel like they may not have enough to give on their own, or for people wishing to make a bigger impact for the charity of their choice. 

Click here to read Gwinn's full article on parade.com. An extended version of the article was printed in Parade on December 6, 2015.
A Toast to You!

The Community Foundation salutes the many professional advisors who have entrusted us with their clients.  For every advisor who refers a client to the Community Foundation, we will deliver a customized wine bottle as a "Toast to You" for your championing philanthropy in our community.  Thank you for all you do to raise the quality of life for those who live and work in our communities.  Cheers!

Congress Passes Permanent IRA Charitable Transfer Bill

On December 18, 2015, Congress passed the PATH ACT making the IRA Charitable Rollover and two other charitable giving incentives permanent law. A few days later, President Obama signed the legislation, marking a historic victory for charities and their donors.

This news is "a major victory for philanthropy and charities,"  remarked Council on Foundations president and CEO Vikki Spruill.   "Making these vital charitable provisions permanent law ends years of uncertainty for donors and foundations alike." 

The legislation allows donors age 70 1/2 and older to transfer up to $100,000 per year to charities using funds from their Individual Retirement Account (IRA) with significant tax savings. No longer do individuals have to take their annual Required Minimum Distribution (RMD), claim it as income, then make a gift to charity; now the gift can go directly from their IRA to the specific charity.

"This legislation allows donors to plan ahead if they are interested in making charitable gifts from their IRA," said Jeff Hartman, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley. "Historically, donors have had to wait until late in the year to know if the legislation would be past retroactively. We are now able to present this unique giving opportunity in conversations with our donors at any time during the year."

Spruill notes that while the passing of the bill does not apply to donor-advised funds, she is hopeful that this will change in the future. "We will continue to actively keep these issues in front of Congress for future tax reform," she stated.

Click here to read the Council on Foundations' article regarding this historic news.  
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