Community Foundation of the Ozarks

Like everything else in 2020, the season of giving looks a little different this year! To inform and inspire your giving, we've put together a Holiday Charitable Giving Guide with essential info and nonprofit partner needs. Here are a few notable items in the guide: When giving directly to a nonprofit agency, consider making an unrestricted gift for operations. These flexible gifts allow agencies to use funds where they need them most especially important this year due to... challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Not sure what to give someone, or unable to exchange gifts in person? Make a donation to someone’s favorite charitable cause or agency this year. Many nonprofits, including the CFO, have the option to make a tribute gift in someone’s honor. If you plan to take the standard deduction on your 2020 tax returns, you can deduct up to $300 for gifts to nonprofit agencies. The passage of the CARES Act allows this above the line deduction, meaning you can reduce your gross income by $300 and still take the standard deduction on your 2020 tax return. If you plan to itemize deductions on your 2020 tax return, you can deduct more in cash donations to nonprofit agencies. The CARES Act increased the AGI (adjusted gross income) limitation for cash donations to nonprofits from 60% to 100%. Along with more information, find a growing list of links to year-end campaigns and other needs from our nonprofit agency partners on our website! https://www.cfozarks.org/giving-guide

’Tis the season for virtual holiday parties! If you can't exchange gifts in person with friends, family or coworkers, consider donating online to their favorite cause or organization. If possible, note the name and email address of the recipient when you make the donation. You can find more giving tips and ideas for many local nonprofits in need at cfozarks.org/giving-guide.

At any time but *especially* when many nonprofits are stretched thin an unrestricted donation gives agencies the most flexibility, allowing them to use your gift where they need it most to ensure their ability to meet the needs of our community. Find more year-end giving tips at cfozarks.org/giving-guide.

Today, we launched a special below-market loan program for nonprofits in three select categories that were not emphasized in our previous COVID-related grantmaking. Program-Related Investments are available to agencies with missions focused on arts and culture, environment and conservation, and animal care and advocacy. Our mission is to enhance the quality of life in our region, CFO President Brian Fogle said. During the pandemic, we have rightfully focused on immediate ...relief needs such as food insecurity, health, and other human service areas. There will be a day, however, when this pandemic is past history, and it is critical that other nonprofits providing such richness to our region survive now, so they can thrive later. We hope this offers some patient capital necessary to get to the other side. Learn more: https://www.cfozarks.org/reso/cfo-announces-nonprofit-loans

This pandemic has made for an incredibly difficult year. Much like nearing the end of a race, we're all tired and we're all ready for it to be over. But we have... to do our part to help our community finish strong. Visit health.springfieldmo.gov/finishstrongSGF to take the pledge to keep following the 3Ws (watch your distance, wear a mask, and wash your hands) and get the COVID-19 vaccine when it's available, and you can also choose to receive vaccine updates via email. See more

Congratulations to the recipients of our Springfield-Greene County Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Grants and Ozarks Inclusive Opporutnity Grants! Thank you for doing the important work to improve our community for everyone. The Doula Foundation Hand In Hand Multicultural Center The Library Foundation / Springfield-Greene County Library District... Ozarks Public Television Springfield Public Schools, Springfield, MO Student African American Brotherhood (SAAB National Headquarters) Ujima Language and Literacy United Way of the Ozarks Drury University JasCo CASA Jefferson College Go Jeffco / Jefferson College Foundation, Inc. Missouri MADE Missouri State University Ozarks Regional YMCA Refugee and Immigrant Services and Education in Noel Superstars of POINT Performing Arts You can help grow this grantmaking by supporting our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Fund at cfozarks.org/diversityfund.

Join us to learn the recipients of two grant programs from our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Fund, along with more good news from the CFO!

Need a gift idea for the local music fan or Springfield history buff in your life? Look no further than "The Center of Nowhere" documentary! The film includes interviews with many notable musicians that created, recorded or performed music in Springfield, including Brenda Lee, Merle Haggard, Dave Alvin, Jonathan Richman and the late great Lou Whitney. Through these interviews and archive footage and photography, the documentary illustrates how the Springfield music scene connects to the broader region and the American cultural movements of country, folk, gospel, blues, rock and roots music. Each purchase will include a $1 donation to the CFO. Pick up your copy today: http://thecenterofnowhere.com/

If you'll likely take the standard deduction on your taxes for 2020, the passage of the CARES Act allows you to *also* deduct $300 in charitable gifts to nonprofits. Give as much as you're able and save your receipts! Find more year-end giving tips at cfozarks.org/giving-guide.

Sam and June Hamra of Hamra Enterprises this morning announced the donation of $125,000 in artwork to several colleges, including four in Springfield. [Subscriber content]

We're certainly going to miss hearing Brian clomp through office in those shoes every day!

It's never too early to learn about generosity. Isabel Thomas, not yet four years old, stopped by to donate $21 from her "share" piggy bank to our COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund. We hope this is a memorable first lesson in a lifetime of philanthropy! Her name now appears on the list of donors at cfozarks.org/covid19. Isabel's father, Dr. Jake Thomas, is a Springfield Ophthalmologist with Mattax Neu Prater and a past recipient of the Smith-Glynn-Callaway Medical Foundation Scholarship. He now serves on the foundation’s board of directors.

Choosing the perfect gift for someone can be tough! An easy and thoughtful solution is supporting their favorite cause. Whether they love the arts, animals, history, science, sports or simply taking care of the community, local nonprofits are making a difference and need the support. Find more year-end giving tips at cfozarks.org/giving-guide.