Dear <<Parent Salutation>>,
As I write this letter, the 133rd Missouri Military Academy Corps of Cadets is hard at work completing this fall semester. It’s hard to believe that we are coming to the end of the calendar year, and I want to thank you, as a member of the MMA family, for all your support. So much has happened over the past year here at MMA, and without you, nothing would be possible. We need your help today to continue MMA’s successful military educational model and its positive impact on cadets.
In May, the Class of 2021 celebrated their graduation with 100% of the class earning college acceptance plus nearly $6.5 million in scholarships. This summer, the Academy hosted approximately 1000 students through our academic academy and summer camps. In September, more than 400 alumni, parents, and friends gathered at MMA for homecoming. In October, 81 new cadets received their hat brass and were officially welcomed into the corps during Fall Family Weekend’s Passing Through Ceremony. Their achievement was the result of hard work and marked their successful completion of Maroon Phase training, handbook test and the Crucible.
An Academy rite of passage, the Crucible is series of physical and mental obstacles that challenges cadets as leaders and as a team. We are proud to share that 100% of those new cadets passed the Crucible on their first attempt, an accomplishment never achieved before by a new group of cadets and a testament to their quality. Our cadets’ comments after the Crucible demonstrate how much they have learned and grown through their first weeks at the Academy:
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“It was the most challenging thing that I have ever done. I learned we must always work as a team, and no matter how tired and exhausted you are, to never give up.” — Cadet Sean Mumm (7th grade, Des Moines, IA)
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“It taught me more about teamwork than I had ever known. It tested me and showed me that I can do anything if I put my mind to it.” — Cadet William Terrell (12th grade, Dallas, TX)
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“(The Crucible) turned out to be the hardest thing I’ve done. I learned don’t ever give up. It’s all about teamwork.” — Cadet Colten Fred-Howard (7th grade, Indianapolis, IN)
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With year-end planning, you can make a meaningful, positive impact on the future of these young men and future cadets. Here’s how you can help right now.
1. Take advantage of the 100% charitable deduction for cash gifts in 2021 to your favorite non-profit — MMA. Last year, Congress passed the CARES ACT which temporarily increased the adjusted gross income (AGI) limit for cash contributions to 100% for qualifying public charities for individual donors. That change expires at the end of this year (2021) at which point deduction percentage will revert back to 60%.
The increase in gift deductions may be used to make new gifts or to prepay existing multiyear pledges. Please note that these charitable giving incentives only apply to cash donations. Non-cash gifts such as stock, real estate or personal property and gifts to donor-advised funds or private foundations will not benefit from these provisions.
2. Make gifts of appreciated securities (and enjoy significant tax savings). With capital gains tax rates expected to rise, now is an ideal time to take advantage of the current rates by giving appreciated securities such as publicly traded stock or mutual funds that have been owned for more than a year.
Example of the benefit of giving appreciated securities:
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3. Donate your life insurance policy to MMA. If you have paid up life insurance policies, those policies could be donated to the Academy now to help change current and future cadets’ lives.
4. Review your will and remember MMA in your estate plans. Once your family members are taken care of, I ask that you consider including MMA in your estate plans. With your estate gift, your legacy can live on through the support you provide MMA cadets, helping them grow into the men and leaders of character that our world needs.
Please reach me at 573-581-1776 ext. 230 or Robert.Silbaugh@missourimilitaryacademy.com to strategize your year-end giving for the greatest benefit to both you and our cadets. Thank you for your support. Fulfilling our mission is only possible through your generosity.
Wishing you all the best in the coming year.
Sincerely,
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Rob Silbaugh
Vice President of Institutional Advancement
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P.S. You may make a gift now online by clicking here. Thank you in advance for making a difference for cadets.
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When you shop at AmazonSmile, Amazon donates 0.5% of the purchase price to Missouri Military Academy. Please click here to support MMA every time you shop.
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