I hope you are enjoying this wonderful time of the year, when friends and families and communities gather to celebrate togetherness and reflect on the year winding up! This is a season during which we enjoy traditions, kinship, and familiar rituals. Those traditions may include baking cookies, trimming the tree, lighting candles, wrapping gifts, or attending services. Most of our traditions include family, friends and community gatherings. As we come together across our community, what traditions will you be celebrating this year?
As we enter into 2020 excited for the new year, we are reminded that our dear Nancy Huller is retiring. While her lovely presence will be missed in the office, the great work she has done for the Community Foundation ensures that she will not be forgotten anytime soon. We welcome Alison Hawkinson, our new Finance Manager.
The countdown to 2020 has begun, and you may be making some final plans for year-end giving. Despite the increased standardized deduction under the new tax law, there are several ways to maximize your gifts while having a lasting impact on your community:
Cash doesn’t have to be king. We accept a variety of assets to assist donors to fulfill their philanthropic goals, including stock, mutual funds, and life insurance—all of which can offer greater tax deductions. A gift of appreciated stock is not subject to capital gains tax either.
Give a gift in someone’s honor. Don’t know what to buy that special someone this holiday season? Consider a tax-deductible donation in his/her name to one of our endowed funds. Visit our website, peoplewhocare.org, for a list of ‘causes that matter’ and be sure your gift is postmarked no later than 11:59 pm on December 31st.
Bunch donations in a donor-advised fund. Gifts to donor-advised funds are tax-deductible, so if you itemize your deductions, you can combine multiple years of charitable contributions into one calendar year to maximize your tax benefit. Grants to support your favorite charities can be spread out over time, even in future years when you take the standard deduction.
Consult your professional advisors. Individuals who have reached age 70 ½ can transfer up to $100,000 per year from an IRA to public charities (including community foundations) without having to count those distributions as taxable income. Contact your professional advisor to learn more about making the most of your charitable giving.
Give online. Complete your last-minute donations via credit card before midnight Dec. 31st at peoplewhocare.org/donate.
For more information, please contact Susan Poole, Development Officer,
spoole@peoplewhocare.org or 440.984.7390
Aging Gracefully TV with Susan Poole of Community Foundation of Lorain County
Scholarships
You can NOW
apply for scholarships!
When applying, make sure to have your official transcript, student aid report (FAFSA), one or more recommendation letters and a personal statement. All Lorain County residents are eligible. Please share this information with others.
Students who have received a scholarship, join us! We want to learn about your scholarship experience. Join us on December 30th from 1:00 pm-3:00 pm to share experiences and provide updates. If you would like to attend please RSVP 440.984.7390 or email scholarships@peoplewhocare.org
Upcoming Events
Financial Seminar
A seminar for non-profit leaders, finance staff, and board members
January 10, 2020
8:30am-11:30am Lorain County Community College
Spitzer Center *Continental breakfast will be served
Non-profits must exercise sound financial practices using financial information in the current economic and funding climate. Protecting current assets and understanding today’s financial picture with the ability to forecast for the future are critical to the sustainability of non-profits.
Registration fee: $20.00
Community Foundation of Lorain County is providing scholarships for non-profits that want to attend this seminar. If you are a non-profit in Lorain County and believe you are eligible for a scholarship, please contact: Brittany Lovett at blovett@peoplewhocare.org or 440.984.7390
A seminar for agencies that have an endowment fund & those interested in starting one
Learn more about having a greater impact on the long-term sustainability of your favorite non-profit.
Hear from a panel of experts on why it’s important to set dollars aside to ensure the future of Lorain County.
Discuss specific ideas and strategies to successfully raise endowment funds.
January 24, 2020
8:30am-11:30am Lorain County Community College
Spitzer Center *Continental breakfast will be served
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Susan Poole, Development Officer, at 440.984.7390 or spoole@peoplewhocare.org.
The Community Foundation of Lorain County is the proud recipient of the 2019 Daniel D. Dauby Award, presented by the Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center. The Community Foundation has supported CHSC’s Community Center for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing through nearly $300,000 in grants over the past 20 years and continues to work with CHSC to best meet the needs of deaf and hard of hearing in Lorain County. Our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity are integral to the success of this community.
Lakeland Mini Grant Increase to $500
With the success of the Lakeland mini grant, the Community Foundation of Lorain County will be increasing the award amount up to $500 starting in January 2020. “This increase will help provide more support through a simple, responsive grant process that reduces barriers to non-profits in Lorain County. We look forward to seeding future opportunities with local partners just like Lakeland Community Foundation and working together in support of this great community we call home,” said Cynthia H. Andrews, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Lorain County.
In honor of our hometown hero, Toni Morrison, the Community Foundation has partnered with several local organizations to bring a day full of events on the inaugural Toni Morrison Day February 18, 2020. The kick-off to this event will be the Lorain County Toni Morrison Essay Contest for Young People.
The African American Community Fund and Hispanic Fund are looking for new members. If you are interested please attend their next meeting. If you are interested the next meetings are as followed:
African American Community Fund Meeting January 22nd, 2020
Hispanic Fund Meeting January 15th, 2020
For more information please call 440.984.7390
Youth Fund
On December 15th the Youth Fund hosted an Alumni Party event where they updated previous Youth Fund members and gave back to the community at the same time. Students collected items to be distributed to seniors in the Lorain County community during the holidays.
We work tirelessly with our donors, our partners, and friends to make Lorain County the best and strongest it can be. Endowment built by you, our community, makes all of this possible. The Community Foundation wisely invests the assets of its endowment and a percentage of those earnings provide sustainable support through grants and scholarships for our community.
Connecting People Who Care
With Causes That Matter
