Did you know that November and December are the two biggest giving months of the year? It’s true for all non-profit organizations, including The Rotary Foundation. These are the two months in the year when we pause and think about what we are thankful for, and when we are surrounded by the spirit of giving. We also think about supporting the causes we love. I hope you include the Rotary Foundation and the amazing impact it has on changing lives, as one of those causes. To help you with your gift planning, this month’s newsletter focuses on giving.
Here are two giving options that are very popular for calendar year-end giving:
IRA Charitable Rollovers—If you are 70 ½ or older, you can make a gift to the Rotary Foundation through a direct transfer from your IRA without paying taxes on the amount you transfer. The transfer does not generate taxable income, nor a tax deduction, so you benefit even if you do not itemize your tax deductions. It also can satisfy all or part of your required minimum distribution for the year.
If interested, you will find sample letters to send to your IRA custodian here.
Stock Gifts—Gifts of appreciated securities save taxes in two ways. By giving stock to a charity like The Rotary Foundation you avoid paying capital gains tax, AND you receive a charitable tax deduction for the full market value of the stock. It’s easy to give stock by electronic transfer.
If interested, you will find the stock transfer instructions and forms here.
As always, if you prefer to talk with a Major Gift Officer from The Rotary Foundation for our Zone, you may contact Rachel Greenhoe at 847-866-3476 or rachel.greenhoe@rotary.org
And remember, once your lifetime giving to the Foundation reaches $10,000, you are recognized as a Major Donor by The Rotary Foundation!
I know many of you support many impactful and worthy causes at this time of year. Thanks for remembering the Foundation as you think about your year-end giving for 2018.
Yours in Rotary,
Don Meyer
District Foundation Chair
Six Reasons to Give to Rotary
We fight disease around the world
For decades, Rotary has been a leader in the battle against polio and has kept the pressure on as worldwide cases plummeted from 350,000 in 1988 to only 15 cases so far this year. We’re closer than ever to ending this devastating disease. Your impact will be even greater, thanks to a 2-to-1 match from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. All donations (up to $50 million) to end polio will be tripled, providing critical funding to our work to create a polio-free world.
We teach people to read
Our goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy for all ages, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy.
We build peace
Rotary projects provide training that fosters understanding and provides communities with the skills to resolve conflicts. Our members are taking action to address the underlying causes of conflict, including poverty, inequality, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources
We provide clean water, sanitation
The statistics are alarming. Worldwide, 2.3 billion people lack access to adequate sanitation. One consequence: 900 children under age five die each day from diarrheal diseases. Rotary members help children learn about disease transmission and good hygiene, and consequently they miss less school. When people, especially children, have access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, they lead healthier and more successful lives. Rotary is helping to make clean water available to everyone by 2030.
We grow local economies
Nearly 800 million people live on less than $1.90 a day. Rotary is working to strengthen local economies by working with people to help them help themselves. We help Tanzanians with albinism find safe, healthy livelihoods. In Ecuador, Rotary has made 250 microloans and trained more than 270 people in job skills. In Arkansas, USA, we worked with Heifer International to extend the growing season for farmersand help them find new customers.
We save mothers and children
More than 800 women die every day from birth- and pregnancy-related complications. Rotary is saving lives by supplying birthing kits, immunizations, neonatal care equipment, and medical training. With access to quality care, mothers and children live longer and healthier lives, and Rotary is providing that care.
Paul Harris Society—A great recognition opportunity!
If you are already giving $1,000 per year or more to The Rotary Foundation, and have not signed up to become a Paul Harris Society member, why not do it now? The PHS is a district recognition program that honors and recognizes those Rotarians who have committed to give $1,000 or more to the Foundation each year. When you commit to join the PHS, you receive this beautiful chevron that attaches to your Rotary pin.
Please contact Ken Kolek, District PHS Coordinator, to sign up.
Please remember that our District will have nearly twice as much grant funding available for the 2019-20 Rotary year than we did last year. More details will follow in the coming months, but it’s not too early to begin planning a project for your community. Check out our District website for information on the Grant Training Seminar dates of March 30 and April
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