December 30th, 2020
Dear Friends,
I am writing to ask for your support. In these final days of 2020, we are over 2/3 of the way to our goal of raising $60,000 by December 31st, thanks to the generosity of so many of you. If you haven't yet, please consider a year-end gift to California Poets in the Schools.
It has been a difficult year to say the least. And yet in the words of Terry Tempest Williams: "there is deep beauty in not averting our gaze, no matter how hard it is, no matter how heartbreaking it can be."
School and classroom communities have reported that poetry is a lifeline for their students right now. Poetry provides an opportunity for young people to hold their gaze upon the world, and in doing so - become an active participant in it, adding their voice, and envisioning change.
If you haven't given yet this holiday season, there is still time to make a difference! Please consider a year-end gift to California Poets in the Schools. If you'd like your gift to be eligible for year-end tax benefits, please be sure to donate online before midnight tomorrow. Thank you and happy New Year!
Best Wishes,
Meg
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We accept donations via PayPal on our website, as stocks transferred to our Ameritrade account, as IRS distributions and more. Contact us to learn more about the many ways to give.
Now is a great time to make charitable gifts of cash and other assets that can also provide you tax benefits. The passage of the CARES Act and the SECURE Act offers advantageous ways to leverage charitable giving through December 31, 2020.
- In 2020 only, if you do itemize your deductions, you may deduct cash gifts up to 100% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) instead of the usual 60% limitation.
- No change was made for the age at which you can make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). If you are at least 70, you can still direct a QCD from your retirement account up to $100,000 without recognizing the income.
- The Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) age was increased from 70 to 72 for retirement assets, and RMDs may be suspended in 2020.
- If you take the standard deduction on your taxes, you can also take a charitable deduction for charitable contributions up to $300 per tax return.
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The Poetry Wall of Hearts is a fun way to give! You can upload a name and/or photo on the wall for a minimum donation of $5. The Wall of Hearts will remain live through the end of the year.
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K-12 Publication Opportunity
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Send Your Poems by December 31st!
California Poets in the Schools will publish a series of artistically designed broadsides, featuring poetry from California youth. All are welcome to submit, regardless of whether or not youth have taken part in our programs. Teachers and Poet-Teachers can submit on behalf of their students. Click to learn more and to submit.
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Check Out Our Online Lessons
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Online Poetry Workshop for Youth
Professional poets from throughout California offer creative poetry writing lessons for youth and families. Lessons are free to everyone and require no prep. This online workshop is growing and lessons will continue to be added throughout the pandemic. Click to start writing!
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California Poets in the Schools is generously supported by the :
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