Dear donors,
As the end of year approaches, I am amazed at how much we have accomplished together for our community. Thanks to your continued generosity, The Community Foundation made more than $96 million in grants to nonprofits responding to critical needs in our region. This includes Building a Safer, Stronger DC, supporting victims of domestic violence in Prince George’s County, closing the opportunity gap for Montgomery County’s vulnerable youth and families, assisting local workers to launch living-wage careers, and providing assistance to reunite families separated at the border and detained in the region. Learn more about our work and impact in the community from our FY 2018 annual report.
As you are looking for meaningful ways to make a difference this holiday season, now is an ideal time to consider replenishing your fund at The Community Foundation. One of the many benefits of doing your giving through The Community Foundation is that you can add to your fund now, claim the charitable deduction on your FY18 tax filing, and make grants at any time you wish. This is especially attractive under the new tax law — using a donor-advised fund you can bundle multiple years’ worth of giving into one year to gain the maximum tax benefits available.
We can help you maximize the tax benefits and impact from a range of gifts.
You can make gifts of cash via check, credit card, or wire transfer. Click here for details.
Now is a great time to turn gains in your portfolio into charitable support that will make a lasting impact toward strengthening our region. Making a gift of appreciated securities held long-term allows you to take an immediate charitable deduction for the full fair market value while avoiding capital gains taxes typically due upon sale. Click here for our wire transfer instructions.
If you are age 70.5 or older, an IRA charitable rollover (QCD) allows you to make a tax-free transfer of up to $100,000 each year directly to certain types of funds (but not to a DAF) at The Community Foundation without taking the distribution as taxable income. Contact us for more information.
We can also accept gifts of complex assets including closely held stocks, bonds, mutual funds, real estate, or other real assets. Contact us to explore your options.
As you are considering your year-end giving plan, please keep in mind our December 14 deadline for recommending grants to ensure grantees receive the funds by December 31. You may submit grant recommendations through your DonorCentral account. Feel free to contact Kathy Matthews (202-263-4773 or kmatthews@thecommunityfoundation.org) with any questions.
We appreciate your continued partnership and support as we build thriving communities that are more equitable, just and vibrant.
Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season,
Bruce McNamer
President & CEO
P.S. I hope you will consider making a gift to the Fund for Greater Washington to support The Community Foundation's work to build thriving communities in the Greater Washington region.