Alexis de Tocqueville Society Newsletter
Fall 2010
United Way of Larimer County
Poverty Numbers are up Across Larimer County New Census Bureau statistics show another increase in local poverty over the last year. The new data illustrates a 70 percent increase in the number of people living in poverty in Larimer County since 2000. “We do not believe we can eradicate poverty. We do believe we can turn the trend of increasing poverty around,” said Mary Atchison, vice president of Community Investment with United Way of Larimer County. Atchison was referring to United Way of Larimer County’s Pathways Past Poverty (P3) initiative, which hosted two poverty data release events on Sept. 28th. One was cohosted by the Fort Collins Coloradoan, the other by the Loveland Daily Reporter-Herald. Nearly one-hundred people attended the events including State Representative John Kefalas (D-Fort Collins), and a representative for U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colorado). Mary Carraher, executive director of Project SelfSufficiency, a United Way supported program through the Bridging the Gap Fund, explained that nonprofits were somewhat able to help the increased clientele with some of the stimulus money, but it’s running out. One example of the increased need, as Atchison pointed out, is the 384 percent increase in requests for food during the last year in Larimer County. “This is perhaps the most shocking,” Atchison remarked. While United Way of Larimer County is hoping to increase its fundraising dollars by 20 percent to help meet the needs in the community, Atchison told the crowd, “We are looking at policy changes that could really make a difference and reduce the number of people in poverty.”
Larimer County People in poverty 39,057 Children in poverty 8,844 Seniors in poverty 2,020 Source: 2009 American Community Survey
Year-End Giving
A word from our
Upon printing of this newsletter there are just nine weeks remaining to make your charitable gift for 2010. Some important information for you to know:
Gordan Thibedeau
• Although designations can be scheduled after the first of the year, if you wish to have an agency receive your gift prior to December 31st, you will need to notify Keely Aggers by Monday, December 13th. • If you wish to receive the Colorado Child Care Contribution Credit, you must give and designate to an eligible agency by December 31st, 2010. • Your cash/cash equivalent gift must arrive at United Way by December 31st to qualify as a charitable contribution for your 2010 taxes. • United Way of Larimer County will have limited staff coverage Thursday, December 23th through Monday, January 3rd. Please contact Keely by Wednesday, December 22nd to ensure your gift is received and processed by year-end.
Quarterly cartoon
President and CEO Over the course of my military service, I had the opportunity to live and visit many places in the United States and around the world and I can say without qualification that Colorado is the best place to live. There were many places I enjoyed, but there were none better. Colorado is just an outstanding place to live and, I contend that, Northern Colorado is the best of the state. For all of the reasons mentioned above, I am very concerned about the potential impact of three ballot issues this November: Amendments 60 and 61 and Proposition 101. I suppose that I, like everyone else, would like to pay less in taxes and fees. But I have to ask myself, “at what point does my self interest outweigh the greater community good?” These three ballot issues would gut our school districts here in Larimer County, have an adverse effect on our ability to maintain roads and bridges, and dramatically reduce funding for health care, universities, children’s services, and more. I believe that we have an outstanding school system in Larimer County and I don’t want to see us sacrifice our children’s chance for success in this life to gain a short term benefit. I also appreciate the road repairs, the bridge inspections and repairs, and the fact that CSU provides outstanding service to our community. It seems to me, that just as we’re starting to see signs of progress with our economy, this is the very worst time to put into effect measures that would stop progress and reverse the gains we have made. I hope you will join me in becoming informed about Amendments 60 and 61, and Proposition 101. And, then take the time to vote. This issue is important to everyone one of us and will impact us for years to come.
New Member Spotlight Eric and Julie Thompson Eric and Julie Thompson are always on the go with two children in tow. As proud parents of Noelle and Greta, they still find a way to fit in cycling, triathlons, skiing and community. “This community is full of the most genuine, happy, caring people that we have ever known,” said Eric. The Thompsons lived in Breckenridge for 10 years before trading in their mountain town lifestyle for life as parents and professionals in northern Colorado. Julie is a Spanish teacher and volleyball coach. Eric is the president of The Group Real Estate in Fort Collins. “We are passionate about making a positive impact in other people’s lives,” said Eric. This passion is what led them to become Alexis de Tocqueville Society members. “We are connected with other likeminded people in our community,” he remarked. For Julie and Eric, raising their daughters in a great community like Fort Collins also includes giving back to those who may be less fortunate. “United Way knows better than anyone else where to place the needed support in our community,” said Eric.
Society Ranks High Once again, Larimer County’s Alexis de Tocqueville Society ranks high amongst other Society’s across the country. Each year United Way Worldwide tallies up the dollars raised from each local United Way. The results for the 2009-10 fiscal year were just reported and 1,096 United Ways were ranked on a variety of aspects. One of these reports ranks local United Ways by the percentage of overall campaign revenues that came from Alexis de Tocqueville Society members. We are pleased to report that United Way of Larimer County ranked 13th out of 1,096! Society giving represents 34 percent of overall dollars raised by United Way of Larimer County. This is amazing given that we are compared to United Ways in major metropolitan areas like New York City, Pittsburg, and Colorado Springs. This is only possible because of each and every one of you. Thank you and congratulations!
Don’t Miss... 4th Annual Give 10 Grand Gala
Saturday, February 26, 2011, 6:30pm
As a benefit of your Society membership you are part of the Give 10 Initiative and your name will be added to the Give 10 Grand Gala invitation list. The Bohemian Foundation praises your commitment to local philanthropy. The Give 10 Initiative was created to inspire and recognize donors who contribute $10,000 or more to nonprofit agencies. As part of the Give 10 Initiative, Pat Stryker hosts the annual Give 10 Grand Gala, a premier philanthropy celebration, as her personal way of thanking you. On Saturday, February 26, 2011, over 200 community philanthropists will come together to celebrate the power of 10! Formal invitations will be sent in January. Please RSVP early for this must-attend event. If you have any questions please contact Keely at (970) 407-7004.
Designation Payment Schedule
To ensure prompt handling, designation requests are due to Keely by noon on Mondays. Checks will be distributed no later than Thursday each week. When a holiday falls on Monday, designations will be due on Friday by noon.
Quarterly Account Summary Please note your quarterly account summary is enclosed.
“I’LL GLADLY PAY YOU TUESDAY FOR A HAMBURGER TODAY” Planning for tomorrow’s charitable gifts Meg Brown - Fischer, Brown, Bartlett & Gunn, P.C.
When my brothers and I were young I remember getting up early — way too early for my parents’ liking — to watch Saturday morning cartoons. One of the cartoons we watched was Popeye the Sailor Man. We enjoyed the antics and fisticuffs of Popeye and Bluto as they vied for Olive Oyl’s Photo courtesy of Portraits by Betsy attention, and, yes, the theme song was often sung at our family dinner table whenever spinach was on the menu. However, it was the character of J. Wellington Wimpy, the hamburger loving sad sack, and his famous “I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today” quote that came to mind when I decided to write about a few simple charitable planned giving options. While Wimpy’s philosophy of “enjoy now, pay later” can be a recipe for disaster as evidenced by my recent Visa bill, it is a wonderful approach for individuals who are charitably inclined. While many individuals are comfortable making smaller charitable donations during their lifetimes, they are often hesitant to make large charitable donations in case such funds are needed later in life (for example, for assisted living or nursing home costs). For these individuals, arranging for charitable donations to occur after death is often the answer. Here are a few simple approaches:
Bequests. One of the simplest charitable giving techniques is to revise your will to provide that a certain amount or percentage of your estate be given to your favorite charities at your death. It is inexpensive to add (or revise) a charitable bequest to a will.
Gift of a Retirement Plan. Traditional IRAs, 401(k), Keogh and many other retirement plan funds will be subject to federal and state income tax when such funds are distributed to family members. However, if such retirement plans name one or more charities as the beneficiary, then the retirement funds will escape taxation. Said another way, the charity will receive 100% of the retirement funds, while family members would have to pay income tax (and possibly estate tax) on the retirement funds received.Therefore, it may make better financial sense to name a charity as a beneficiary of retirement plan funds and leave other assets to family. Naming a charity as a beneficiary is easy. Simply request a beneficiary designation form from the plan administrator, complete the form as desired and return it to the plan administrator.
Gifts of Life Insurance. Often individuals own existing life insurance that is no longer needed or will, due to other assets owned, incur federal estate tax (assuming it’s reinstated). In such a case, an individual may decide to name a charity as a beneficiary of the policy.The portion of the insurance proceeds received by the charity will be considered as a charitable deduction for federal estate tax purposes. Another option is for the ownership of the existing policy to be transferred to a charity.This gift gets the insurance policy out of the individual’s estate for federal estate tax purposes. Also, depending on the type and value of the policy, the individual would be able to deduct the value of the policy from his or her income taxes.
Eye Opening Bus Tour Sometimes getting a small snapshot of something can greatly affect us. For more than 60 United Way of Larimer County donors, a visit to five local United Way supported agencies did just that. “I wish I could be a professional volunteer,” said Diana Luthi, a leadership donor who recently participated in the United Way of Larimer County bus tour. “Seeing the people in need at the Food Bank and Murphy Center made me want to do more,” she said. On September 23rd, the bus tour provided an opportunity for leadership donors to visit four local agencies to see firsthand some of the services offered for the more vulnerable populations in Larimer County. Donors learned about the Sister Mary Alice Murphy Center for Hope, Food Bank for Larimer County, Respite Care, Interfaith Hospitality Network (Angel House), and Alternatives to Violence. “This tour makes me go home and know I am really fortunate and to count my many blessings,” said Luthi.