Happy Holidays to our donors and friends.
End of the year gift giving opportunities abound.
Gifts to Reimagine Magnolia Village project are now tax deductible
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A Special Letter to Our Donors and Friends from Cheryl McQuiston, Chairperson of Reimagine Magnolia Village project
Dear Neighbors & Friends:
It’s that time of year when the lights and holiday trees and wreaths come out to welcome the season. Although 2020 is a bit different for all of us, we are hopeful that you find joy when you come down to the Village to enjoy the tables, chairs, umbrellas, benches, lights and wreaths and of course most importantly…to BUY LOCAL for everyone on your holiday list.
As the chairperson of the amazing Magnolia Beautification committee (MBC), I receive lots of positive feedback on the Reimagine Magnolia Village project and the new streetscape improvements. I remind everyone that the project is a team effort, and what an amazing team we have. Each person on our team brings talent and experience to the table. We were fortunate to have the right combination of volunteers to make Phase I of the project a success, and as we move forward with Phases II-V, the same team will be leading the way.
I want to give a shout out to two very important cogs in the wheel that makes this all happen for our community.
One day, two and half years ago, I asked a friend I met at Starbucks if he would be interested in serving on the beautification committee, an arm of the Magnolia Chamber of Commerce. Thankfully, he said yes. Don Gillmore, architect extraordinaire, has drawn up all the plans and submitted to the city of Seattle’s Department of Transportation for review and approval. He serves as project manager on each installation, puts out fires whenever they crop up, and generally make all our lives easier with his knowledge of streetscapes design and collaborating with the city. The hours he has put into this venture are unbelievable and deeply appreciated. Next time you see him in the Village…generally with his safety vest on…thank him profusely for saying “yes,” to this volunteer position that has turned into a fulltime job.
Each month you receive our newsletter and some of you, who are family or business members of the Magnolia Chamber, also receive its newsletter. Ann Goos serves as the volunteer editor of both monthly newsletters, acts as a communication advisor for MBC along with lending other expertise to the efforts. Given her background in strategic communications and public affairs, she took on the task of doing research, gathering financial records and projections, and completing the application for Internal Revenue Service approval for our NEW 501(c)3, non-profit charitable organization, Magnolia Better Together. Because of her perseverance and effective communications with the IRS, we received approval in record time. Our thanks to this amazing woman who puts in so many volunteer hours to make your community a better place to live and enjoy. Below she will tell you more about Magnolia Better Together and how you can donate.
All ten members of this committee love what we do. We will continue to work to make our community something we can all be very proud of as we move forward with the next phases of the beautification project.
To all of you, I extend my heartfelt thanks and appreciation for your continued support of Magnolia beautification. I also ask -- now that we are at the end of the year -- and we are a tax-deductible charitable non-profit, that you please add us to your Holiday Giving List. And, ask your friends to do the same!
Happy Holidays…and Happy 2021…it has to be better!
Cheryl McQuiston
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Announcing Magnolia Better Together, new 501(c)3 nonprofit serving Magnolia
Magnolia Better Together is now eligible to apply for foundation and government grants, which will further broaden its access to resources to support efforts like the Reimagine Magnolia Village project. Donations to Phases II and III of the project are now tax deductible, including for the remainder of this calendar year, if donations are made before December 31st.
For those donors who gave a gift on or after September 8, 2020, you can claim your donation to Reimagine Magnolia Village project as tax deductible. You will receive a receipt via email that you can use for 2020 tax purposes.
Magnolia Better Together is a grassroots charitable non-profit organization that supports community development projects to enhance neighborhood revitalization and improve Magnolia’s quality of life. The new organization was incorporated in July 2020 and managed by a five-person board of directors, led by Joan Enticknap as President, Cheryl McQuiston as Treasurer, and David McDonald as Secretary.
The news of Magnolia Better Together obtaining 501(c)(3) status provides the Reimagine Magnolia Village project with a real boost. We are already seeing residents and businesses alike enjoying the streetscape improvements in place. As the last two weeks have demonstrated, the new nonprofit status has also incentivized donors to invest in the beautification project and know their end of the year donations are tax deductible.
Check out the progress in local investments over the last two months by donors who are excited to see the streetscape improvements expand along McGraw Street West, from 33rd to 35th Avenues West. The fundraising thermometers below show the increase in gifts to the Reimagine Magnolia Village project.
In addition, donors to Magnolia Better Together will also be able to seek matching funds from corporations who participate in employee matching in support of non-profits. This provides a great opportunity for many donors to double their gift through employee matching programs, another significant benefit of Magnolia Better Together achieving 501(c)3 status.
To learn more, please contact Cheryl at 206-390-8698, or email at Cheryl.aaml@gmail.com
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Now is the BEST time to give to Reimagine Magnolia Village – donate before December 31st!
The final day of this calendar year, December 31, presents donors like you with a natural and definite deadline for tax planning purposes. With Magnolia Better Together now approved as a 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit, your gift made to by December 31st to Reimagine Magnolia Village will be tax deductible in April 2021.
Please help us raise at least another $20,000 before the end of the year. As our fundraising thermometers above show, we are making progress, but we need your help and support to reach our end of the year goal.
Your tax-deductible gift – sent before or on December 31st - to Magnolia Better Together and dedicated to the Reimagine Magnolia Village fund will help us continue to expand gathering opportunities for neighbors and visitors to shop and safely enjoy food, beverages, and conversation throughout all of the Village. Indeed, your generous donation on or before December 31st empowers the heart and soul of our neighborhood – during a time that we need to ensure our local community stay strong, resilient, and welcoming.
Please seize this opportunity to donate to Reimagine Magnolia Village online or send your tax-deductible check to Magnolia Better Together – MBC #51 / 3213 W Wheeler St / Seattle WA 98199. Magnolia Better Together’s federal EIN number is 84-4570007
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Thanks to the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods |
This digital document has been funded in part by the Neighborhood Matching Fund Program of the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. The information contained herein does not necessarily reflect policies, plans, beliefs, conclusions, or ideas, of the City of Seattle. |
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To donate by check, please make payable to Magnolia Better Together - MBC and send to Magnolia Better Together - MBC #51 / 3213 W Wheeler Street / Seattle WA 98199
To make a monthly/quarterly pledge by check, please contact
Cheryl McQuiston, MBC Chair at cheryl.aaml@gmail.com
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