By Dawn M.S. Miller, CFRE, Vice President—Annual Fund
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As I watched the morning news today, I couldn’t help to notice the words the anchors kept repeating: devastating, doom and gloom, death toll, recession, depression, job loss, not going back to normal, scared people, out of an abundance of caution, lockdown…Blah!
 
What a way to get moving in the morning time! Rarely did I hear the words hope, light, inspiring, things are better, moving in the right direction, laughter, recovered and going home, more family time, etc. If “we’re all in this together” then we need some good news to share too.
 
Listen, I’m no Pollyanna. I know things aren’t always happy and going well, especially during a pandemic and quarantine. In some ways it appears folks are addicted to hearing all the COVID-19 horror stories. And we all know that listening to hours of the news can send anyone down the rabbit hole. So where are the positive, uplifting stories? Perhaps they are within you.
 
Today, try to be the good in the world. Banish the bad stuff and open your heart to the good stuff. Be a HOPER—a person who hopes and trusts that things will turn out for the best. Stop and smell the flowers. Laugh at all the Zoom meetings you attend, and someone is always muted. Make a homemade meal from your childhood. Use sidewalk chalk to share witty messages with your neighbors. Enjoy your all-day yoga pants while you can. Remember that coloring books aren’t just for kids. Pull out those old board games. Donate to your favorite nonprofit in honor of a healthcare worker. Make a list of things you are grateful for. Learn how to beatbox and entertain your family with clever mixes. Start a fairy garden so little children can play on their walks. Listen to music that soothes your soul.
 
If you need a reminder of the good in the world, listen to Andrea Bocelli singing Amazing Grace on Easter Sunday by invitation of the Duomo Cathedral of Milan. Bocelli’s performance represents a message of love, healing, and hope to Italy and the world. For this, I am happy to shed a joyous tear. At LBH, we are HOPERS! Are you?
 
As always, Let’s Build Hope is here for you and your nonprofit. Contact us if you need a bit of hope in your life today: (314) 716-2496 or LetsBuildHope@lbh-stl.com. And remember to believe and have courage--we can do this!
 
#LBH #LetsBuildHope #BeAHoper #MusicForHope

By Beth Krumm, MEd, Senior Consultant

​A $2.3 trillion stimulus bill was rolled out last week with the goal of providing financial assistance for individuals and small businesses hit hard by the Covid-19 crisis. By now, you’re likely aware of the provisions included in the CARES Act aimed to help. You might also be trying to figure out how to utilize it for your nonprofit’s benefit. A quick bill recap:
 
Charitable Contribution Incentive for Individuals
People who do not itemize charitable deductions can deduct up to $300 in cash gifts (no gifts of stock or gifts to donor advised funds allowed). This is considered an “above the line” deduction, meaning it will be subtracted from a person’s gross income, reducing their Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). This is great for donors who make smaller gifts (think annual fund gifts via direct mail or email).
 
Your major donors can benefit as well. For people who do itemize their charitable deductions, the cap increases from 60% to 100% of a person’s AGI. This means that a donor could effectively eliminate their tax burden for 2020.
 
Charitable Contribution Incentive for Corporations
The cap on corporate annual charitable giving increases from 10% to 25% of their taxable income. And the cap on corporations who make a gift of food inventory increases from 15% to 25%. All good news for corporate partners who want to further support nonprofits.
 
Payroll Protection Program for Businesses
Organizations with less than 500 employees can apply for a loan to help retain their employees. The loan amount is tied to the payroll costs of the business and can be used for payroll, insurance premiums, rent, and utilities. If an organization keeps employees through June 30, 2020, they may have the loan forgiven, turning it instead into a grant.
 
There are other provisions included in the CARES Act, but those three key areas are most applicable to nonprofits. To learn more, visit the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Also, you’ll want to be sure to speak with a finance professional about your specific organization to ensure the CARES Act is helping in the best way possible.
 
While the CARES Act shows positive intent, it is important to remember that the vast majority of donors do not make gifts to nonprofit organizations to receive a tax benefit. They give because they believe in - and CARE about - your mission. The tax benefits are just another tool to talk with your donors. Yes, you should be adding carefully crafted messages to all your fundraising communications, while remembering that it’s still about the relationship you have with your donors. They CARE!
 
As always, Let’s Build Hope is here for you. We can help you determine the best tools and strategies to use with your donors, so they know you truly CARE. Reach us at (314) 716-2496 or LetsBuildHope@lbh-stl.com.
 
#LBH #LetsBuildHope #CARESAct #CaringAboutTheCARESAct #DonorRelationships #FundraisingHope