Don’t Forget to Wrap Your Holiday Giving Early
As we celebrate the holidays and reflect upon the year, we often express gratitude by making gifts to the organizations that have most touched our lives. Charitable giving is one of the cherished pillars of American holiday traditions, with so many effective ways to make more of a difference. After all the presents are wrapped and shared with your friends and family close to you, don’t forget to wrap up your charitable giving, too.
This year is a little different because December 31st is on a Sunday. That means that the banks and most non-profit organizations will have their last day of activity on December 29th and the post office will not be open after December 30th. For those planning to claim a charitable deduction in this season of spreading good cheer, it is crucial to act promptly.
Also, do not overlook your employers. While more than 26M people work for companies with matching gift programs, an estimated $4B – $7B in matching gift funds goes unclaimed annually. To take advantage of corporate gift matching, employees can check with their human resources team to see if their company offers this program. There may be a form or online feature that you can use to submit proof of your charitable contribution for the employer to match. Many of these matching gift deadlines close with the year-end and can increase your generosity by double, or more. Therefore, the sooner you give the sooner you can ensure your matching gift to your favorite organization.
As we approach what the song refers to as the most wonderful time of the year, we are mindful of all of our supporters. It’s through your generosity we witness every day, not just over the holidays, just how much you care. We see teachers who donate a portion of each paycheck to the endowment for their school. We see family members who ask for donations to the Community Foundation in lieu of a gift for the holidays. We see loved ones who honor the memory of someone they have lost with a donation to support a cause that they championed.
It is our mission to connect you to the causes that matter most to you and to our communities, and that becomes so apparent this time of year. We are grateful to be part of such a compassionate community and thank you for your ongoing support. We invite you to envision a brighter future with us by empowering our Touch the Future and Impact Today Funds, raising flexible grant dollars that allow us to respond to community needs.
To discover how your valuable contributions can make a lasting difference, even beyond this festive season, feel free to connect with our Development Officer, Laura Malone, at 440.984.7390 or visit us anytime between 8 am Tuesday, December 26th and 5 pm, Friday, December 29th. We hope you have a healthy and safe holiday season.
