Counting Blessings and Giving Thanks

by Phil Hanson, President and CEO Truman Heartland Community Foundation

As we enter the holiday season, we are reflecting on the many reasons we at Truman Heartland Community Foundation have to be thankful and the ways we can help our donors make an impact on our community through their charitable giving.

We are thankful for our hundreds of donors who are committed to making an impact on our community through their charitable giving. On November 16, we held our 23 rd Annual Grants Luncheon with more than 200 attendees at Adams Pointe Conference Center.

At the celebration we distributed more than $347,000 in grants to 60 local nonprofits on behalf of the 26 endowed charitable funds at the community foundation. Additionally, each year we reach out to our donoradvised fund holders and charitable partners with the opportunity to supplement the grant dollars available through the competitive grants program.

We are so thankful to our donors and local partners, including the Junior Services League of Independence, the Kansas City Metro Men’s Chorus and our own Youth Advisory Council, who lend their support to local charities.

This year, our donor advised fund holders and charitable partners generously provided an additional $64,000 in funding. We are very thankful for the generosity of our luncheon sponsor Stewardship Capital and appreciate the work of the local nonprofits who received these grants and who serve our community every day.

Now is a great time to give back and show your support for your favorite charities. End of the year giving is critical to many nonprofits, and if you act quickly, your year-end charitable giving could potentially save you thousands in taxes this year.

In my September column, I encouraged everyone to think about their year-end tax planning and for those who are charitably minded, plans for year-end contributions to favorite charities. In light of the new tax laws and the doubling of the standard deduction, utilizing your donor advised fund to bunch your charitable contributions can be a great tax wise way to give back and still continue to itemize charitable deductions.

But time is running out to take advantage of this charitable giving tool for this tax season. Create a donor advised fund, and maximize your yearend giving before it is too late.