Donations Made in Honor of Black History Monthhttps://waytogrow.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_6988-scaled.jpg25601707Maren NelsonMaren Nelsonhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1946f97a3dbf0bf6337d9a9209ee8dd6?s=96&d=blank&r=g
We were thrilled to learn our wonderful Family Educator Collette was selected to receive over 350 school supplies and books from the Kids in Need Foundation (KINF), sponsored by PNC Financial Services Group! In honor of Black History Month, PNC provided diverse and age-appropriate books, in addition to the many school supplies we received from KINF. These amazing donations are now making their way into the hands of children across the Twin Cities.
A whopping 99% of teachers in the United States purchase school supplies for their students out of their personal funds. In response to that need, KINF provides critical resources to students and educators, and have been a valued partner with Way to Grow for many years. As you can see, our Family Educators were very excited to receive these supplies. Way to go, Collette!
Living Generously: Where there’s a will, there’s a wayhttps://waytogrow.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/living_generously_will.png33341459Kim BowmanKim Bowmanhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6f75e4cb03cffdae3e026d4156b52052?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Did you know that on average, Americans update their will or trust every seven years? Changes to personal and family circumstances may mean that prior plans are no longer current and need to be updated to ensure that everything is in order as you intend.
Why have a will? A will helps you provide gifts for loved ones after your life. It helps ensure that your wishes will be honored and family and friends will receive the money or property you intend for them. If you have children, a will allows you to name guardians for their care. Whether you have a lot or a little to share, every person has the right to direct how their nest egg is used after their life. Without a will, your property is distributed according to a “one size fits all” state formula that may not reflect your wishes. It’s never too soon to set your plans in motion.
You can also leave a gift in your will for charities you hold dear to support their work in the future, like Way to Grow. Simply state a percentage of the estate or a dollar amount for Way to Grow to receive as your legacy gift. Estate gifts to Way to Grow are deeply appreciated and help ensure that children in the most isolated households are born healthy, stay healthy and are prepared for school, even after your lifetime.
What could be a more meaningful legacy than ensuring brighter futures for all children in our community?
When you include Way to Grow in your estate, you are eligible for membership in Way to Grow’s new Shine Legacy Society. We’d love to hear from you! Please contact us at (612) 767-0425 for more information and a free brochure on planning your estate.
We think the world could use a little more love. This year, Way to Grow has a Valentine Wish—to spread joy and love to our community! We enlisted the help of our preschoolers to share their thoughts on love. Our hope is that they remind you love is about the little things we do for each other.
Feeling inspired? Join us in our campaign of good vibes by sharing your Valentine Wish on social media! Use #OurValentineWish and help spread the love! Please consider a gift in honor of your Valentine and spread the love to your community.
Way to Grow recently received over 1,403 books from a Barnes & Noble holiday book drive at their Mall of America location. These beautiful new books were sorted by age level, making it easy for our Family Educators to distribute much needed books to the families they serve. We are so thankful for companies like Barnes & Noble that care about literacy and use their platform to help get books into the hands of our younger readers. Thank you Barnes & Noble!
Living Generously: Helpful tax hints for 2020 giftshttps://waytogrow.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Living_Generously_2020Taxes.png33341459Kim BowmanKim Bowmanhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6f75e4cb03cffdae3e026d4156b52052?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Now is the perfect time to support Way to Grow’s vision to ensure every child has an opportunity to succeed in school and life – and enjoy extra tax benefits for your generosity.
Taxpayers who don’t itemize gifts on their tax returns can receive up to a $300 tax deduction for 2020 gifts.
Taxpayers who do itemize can deduct up to 100% of their Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) for gifts made in 2020.
With the stock market surging, you may own shares of stock that have grown significantly in value over the years. Gifting stock directly to Way to Grow allows you to avoid paying capital gains taxes in the shares while allowing Way to Grow to utilize the full proceeds toward its vital mission.
While those age 70-1/2 and older are not required to take minimum distributions in 2020 from their IRAs due to the CARES Act, you may still make charitable gifts from your IRA. Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) use pre-tax dollars to fulfill gifts to charities, tapping funds already tucked away. Gifts up to $100,000 per person bypass your federal tax return and are not taxed as income nor deducted as gifts. To make a QCD to Way to Grow, please contact your IRA custodian immediately to ensure timely fulfillment.
If you have questions, Kim Bowman is pleased to assist you at 612.874.4740. Thank you for your great support that changes lives, and puts children and families on the pathway to success.
Meeting Challenges This Seasonhttps://waytogrow.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2020_YearEnd.png80003960Way to GrowWay to Growhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/09f1d2145e67b2693c587ac4095c60a0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
With the holidays approaching, we are reminded that many families are still in need. In addition to the challenges they face with virtual learning, many families are also dealing with unemployment, food insecurity, and social isolation, all of which have an impact on children’s mental health. A recent study by Save the Children has shown that almost 50% of students in the United States have reported feeling anxious or fearful due to current events.
Way to Grow understands these challenges and we are working hard to address them. Our Family Educators have successfully adopted virtual home visits and creative activities for the families they support, both to continue their education and to provide socialization. This is crucial during a time when children are unable to visit with friends and extended family. In this way, the Family Educator plays several roles – tutor, mentor, and friend!
Our annual Adopt-A-Family gift card drive also looks a little different this year, and we are finding new ways to provide hope and joy to our families this holiday season. In lieu of gifts, our supporters have provided gift cards, allowing the families to purchase winter clothes, books, toys, groceries, and more. Even the smallest gesture can mean the world to a struggling family, and we are so grateful to those who generously contributed to spreading some holiday cheer!
Give the gift of a bright future by donating in honor of someone special!
Give to the Max Day success!https://waytogrow.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/gtmd_thanks.png600600Maren NelsonMaren Nelsonhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1946f97a3dbf0bf6337d9a9209ee8dd6?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Thank you for your contributions to Way to Grow to our Give to the Max Campaign. With your help, we raised over $7,300—with $5,000 of your gifts matched by one of our generous sponsors!
Many families are facing difficult times this year, and our Family Educators are going above and beyond to keep connecting with the families as children are learning from home. Your generosity on Give to the Max Day supported our efforts to ensure that children within the most isolated families are born healthy, stay healthy and are prepared for school. We couldn’t do it without you!
Living Generously: Counting our blessingshttps://waytogrow.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/greg-shield-kAc0En1s1h8-unsplash-scaled.jpg25601707Kim BowmanKim Bowmanhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6f75e4cb03cffdae3e026d4156b52052?s=96&d=blank&r=g
As we approach Thanksgiving, please know that Way to Grow is counting its blessings and is extremely thankful for the great support we have received this year. Despite the challenges that 2020 has presented to all of us, Way to Grow continues to serve children and families because we have the support of individuals, foundations, and companies. Thank you!
We hope you’ll consider a year-end gift to Way to Grow! A gift of appreciated shares of stock that you have held for one year or longer can provide you with several tax benefits while supporting our vital mission.
First, by donating shares directly to Way to Grow, you avoid paying capital gains taxes on any growth in the shares. Plus, Way to Grow receives the full value of the stock tax free, so you effectively increase your gift by up to 20% (max capital gains rate). Secondly, you may deduct the full fair market value of the shares as valued on the date of the gift, reducing your tax burden for 2020. Third, if a particular stock has risen sharply in value, donating shares to Way to Grow helps re-balance your holdings.
Most importantly, your gift will help ensure that children are born healthy, stay healthy, and are prepared for school.
For all of these reasons, we hope you’ll join others in discovering the power of donating stock to Way to Grow. To put your gift in motion, simply contact Kim Bowman for assistance at (612) 767-0425. We are here to help!
Make your Target run count…again!https://waytogrow.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/TargetCircle_Nonprofit_FB_Launch.png1200630Melissa MeyerMelissa Meyerhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/18ca60258fafad3ea7017dd03fa3f0e8?s=96&d=blank&r=g
We are honored and excited to announce that we have been chosen to participate in a special charitable giving campaign, sponsored and funded by Target. And you have the chance to help direct a portion of Target’s donation to us!
Now through December 31, vote for us through the Target Circle program to help determine how Target’s donation will be divvied up. Find out more about Target Circle here: www.target.com/circle.
We’re asking our supporters to help us make the most of this incredible opportunity. Every vote counts to help us receive a portion of the available Target funds as we continue our mission to ensure every child has an equal opportunity to succeed in school and life.
Don’t forget, as you earn more votes, you can keep voting multiple times during the campaign! Thank you for your support, and we encourage you to share your support for us (and your thanks to Target) on social media throughout the duration of the voting!
What a difference a toy makes.https://waytogrow.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Manhattan-Toy-Donation.png33341459Kim BowmanKim Bowmanhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6f75e4cb03cffdae3e026d4156b52052?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Way to Grow has been beyond blessed by the gracious giving of our friends at the Manhattan Toy Company in Minneapolis. Box after box of dolls, rattles, plushies, books, and blocks arrived in our offices. We could not be more grateful and our staff and their families could not have been more thrilled! To have a special doll to hug, when there is so much change all around us brings hope. The children were so excited to receive these wonderful gifts of kindness! Thank you again to our great friends at Manhattan Toy Company!
