Spreading Holiday Cheer at

Santa Maria

Thanks for coming to Passport to Success: UNITY!

Our Passport to Success: UNITY fundraiser was a sold-out success and a beautiful celebration of community!

Highlights included an inspiring keynote by Kathy Wade, an uplifting photo project by David Rosenthal, and the exciting announcement of our One Building, Thriving Families capital campaign.

We’re so grateful to everyone who attended, sponsored, or volunteered to make this event special. Your support helps families in Price Hill continue building brighter, more stable futures.



📸 Event photos and our Unity video are now available! Relive the celebration and share in the spirit of unity that continues to inspire our community.

Our Fall Print Newsletter is On Its Way!

Our Fall Print Newsletter is hitting mailboxes this week, and it’s filled with stories that celebrate family, resilience, and community. Inside, you’ll find a first look at our exciting One Building, Thriving Families capital campaign, a moving story about a dedicated father, and a touching feature on longtime friends of Santa Maria who have supported our mission for decades.

You’ll also see joyful graduation photos from our early childhood programs and a look back at some of the incredible moments that have made the past few months so special.



We hope you’ll take a few minutes to read and be inspired by the progress, partnerships, and perseverance that make our work possible.

📖 Read the digital version here

As you continue supporting families in Price Hill and beyond, there are some new opportunities that may make your generosity even more rewarding this year. Recent updates and discussions around charitable giving could help many donors give back while also receiving meaningful tax benefits.

Please note: This information is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute tax advice. Individual circumstances vary, so we encourage you to consult your tax advisor for details specific to you.

1. More Flexibility for Itemized Giving

Depending on your income and tax situation, certain updates may make itemizing deductions more worthwhile—potentially allowing charitable gifts to have an even greater impact at tax time.

2. Giving Directly from Your Retirement Account

If you’re age 70½ or older, making a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA remains one of the most tax-efficient ways to support causes you love. These gifts can count toward your required minimum distribution and may reduce taxable income.

3. Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) for Strategic Giving

DAFs continue to be a powerful tool for thoughtful donors who want flexibility in timing and planning. You can contribute to your fund when it’s most beneficial for you and recommend grants to Santa Maria throughout the year.

4. Charitable Deductions for Every Donor

Even if you don’t itemize, there may be ways to make your charitable giving count at tax time. Talk with your advisor to learn about current limits and deduction opportunities.



5. Plan Ahead for Long-Term Impact

As tax and philanthropic trends evolve, this is a great time to plan ahead—whether through a DAF, a legacy gift, or your annual contribution—to make a lasting difference for families in Price Hill.

Thank you for all the ways you help Santa Maria create opportunity, stability, and hope for families in Price Hill. Your generosity does more than meet immediate needs — it opens doors for education, employment, and brighter futures. Whether your gift comes through a Donor-Advised Fund, your IRA, or your annual contribution, every act of giving makes a lasting difference. We’re deeply grateful for your partnership and for the compassion you share with our community each year.

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About Santa Maria: Santa Maria Community Services provides essential support to families, offering programs in early childhood development, education advancement, employment assistance, financial stability, youth development, and health and wellness, as well as other supportive services. We empower families to achieve their goals and break the cycles of generational poverty through tailored coaching, resources, and advocacy. Our mission is to be a catalyst and advocate for Greater Price Hill families to attain their educational, financial, and health goals. Our vision is for Greater Price Hill to be a vibrant, thriving, and self-sustaining community.