Giving

Living Generously: Ways of Giving at Year-End

Living Generously: Ways of Giving at Year-End 2560 1707 Way to Grow

Way to Grow is thankful for the financial support we receive that ensures children are born healthy, stay healthy, are prepared for school, and reading by third grade. This year, we are on course to deliver over 12,000 home visits to families in our community who are committed to their children’s literacy.

Want to join our family of supporters? It’s easy! There are many ways to give that will fuel our mission.

Go Online

With a few keystrokes here, you can make a one-time gift or set up an automatic monthly gift that will continue as long as you wish. Either way, we are grateful for your gift!

Mail Us a Check

We love receiving checks! Please mail your gift to Way to Grow, 201 Irving Avenue North, Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55405. Your envelope will put a song in our hearts.

Shares of Stock

If you own stock that has grown in value—and that you’ve held for one year or longer—it may be tax-wise to transfer the shares to Way to Grow (rather than selling them). Here’s why:

  • First, you’ll avoid paying capital gains tax on the shares’ growth, and so will Way to Grow, which receives 100% of the proceeds tax-free as a charitable organization.
  • Second, you’ll enjoy a tax deduction for the increased full fair market value of the shares.
  • Third, it is nice to make a meaningful gift without draining your checkbook. For details, call us at 612.874.4740 and ask for Kim Bowman.

Try a QCD

If you are age 70-1/2 or older, you can support Way to Grow through a gift directly from your IRA! A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) bypasses your federal tax return, so it is not counted as income, nor deducted as a gift. Even better, you are using pre-tax dollars to make a gift so the gift costs you less. You can give up to $100,000 each year to qualified charities this way, using already saved up dollars to serve neighbors in need. You can also add Way to Grow to your IRA beneficiary designation form to provide support after your lifetime—and become a member of our Shine Legacy Society. If you’d like assistance, please give us a phone call at 612.874.4740 and ask for Kim Bowman. 

Way to Grow cherishes gifts of all types and sizes. You have our heartfelt thanks for generously supporting our vision to ensure that every child has an opportunity to succeed in school and in life. Happy Holidays!

Living Generously

Living Generously 3881 2861 Kim Bowman

If you have been taking a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from your IRA each year, please read on. An intriguing new opportunity has arrived in 2023 as part of the SECURE Act.

Background: If you are age 70-½ or older, you may re-direct funds coming out of your IRA (your RMD) to charitable causes. These are called QCDs or Qualified Charitable Distributions. You simply ask your IRA custodian to send your RMD funds to your favorite charity rather than taking the income yourself. Two tax-wise reasons to deflect these funds to charity are that (1) this fulfills a gift to charity that you wish to make and (2) it reduces your taxable income. Plus, you are donating funds you’ve already saved up, so you don’t feel the pinch in your checkbook.

What’s new for 2023: If you have a large RMD to re-invest or donate, this new opportunity may suit you nicely. Starting in 2023, instead of giving your QCD directly to charity, you may use up to $50,000 of your RMD to fund a charitable account that will provide you with income for the rest of your life. Basically, the funds come out of your IRA and are placed in a charitable vehicle that generates a fixed income based on your age. At the end of your life, the funds remaining go to the charity you have named, such as Way to Grow. This is currently a one-time opportunity.

Way to Grow would be delighted to be your named beneficiary for a future gift, so our work to support children and families can thrive in the future. Of course, those who make a planned gift provision for Way to Grow are eligible for membership in our Shine Legacy Society. For more information, please give us a call at (612) 874-4740 and we will be pleased to walk you through the details. We would love to hear from you!

Living Generously

Living Generously 3881 2861 Kim Bowman

As Thanksgiving approaches, please know that gratitude abounds at Way to Grow for all of the gifts we receive to support our intensive home visiting work with children and families. Our hearts are moved by the generosity we see in action each day, knowing we could not have a deep impact without the many donors who fuel our work by sharing their blessings at all levels.

This is the most common time of year for people to consider their charitable giving for the year. It is a time to reflect on our values, which charities are truly having an impact, and what is most meaningful to each of us in improving our community and world.

As you review possibilities and put your gifts in motion, we hope Way to Grow’s innovative and highly effective early childhood education, elementary education, health education and teen parenting programs are top of mind. This year, 98% of Way to Grow children tested ready for kindergarten, as our dedicated staff developed new interventions and refreshed curriculum for parents. This is only possible through donations from those who believe, like Way to Grow does, that every child should have an opportunity to succeed in school and in life.

Your gift can help parents stabilize their homes for their families, and help children learn to read and pursue their dreams, strengthened by literacy and the confidence this brings. What could be more beautiful than a happy, healthy child on the pathway to success? We’ve served over 600 families this year, representing over 1,000 happy, healthy children!

Way to Grow will be grateful for your renewed or increased support in 2022! Here’s how:

Go online: With a few keystrokes, you can set in motion an automatic monthly gift or make a one-time gift here.

Mail a check: We love checks! Simply send your gift to Way to Grow, 201 Irving Avenue North, Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55405. Your envelope should bear a 2022 postmark.

Shares of stock: If you own stock that’s grown in value – and that you’ve held for a year or longer – it may be tax-wise to transfer the shares to Way to Grow (rather than selling them). Here’s why. First, you’ll avoid paying capital gains tax on the shares’ growth, and Way to Grow will receive 100% of the proceeds tax-free as a charity. Plus, you’ll enjoy a tax deduction for the full fair market value of the shares (rather than the basis you paid for them). Third, these gifts don’t drain your checkbook. For details, call us at (612) 874-4740.

Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA: If you are age 70-1/2 or older, you can send a gift to Way to Grow directly from your IRA. This bypasses your federal tax return, so it is not counted as income, nor deducted as a gift, and if you are 72, it can fulfill your Required Minimum Distribution. Even better, you are using pre-tax dollars to make a gift, so the gift costs you less. Individuals can give up to $100,000 each year to qualified charities through this method, putting already saved up dollars into action now to serve neighbors in need.  Way to Grow would be delighted to receive your IRA gift! For assistance, check with your tax advisor or call us at (612) 874-4740.

Sincere thanks to you! Way to Grow wishes you and yours a healthy and happy holiday season!

Living Generously

Living Generously 3881 2861 Kim Bowman

With school back in session, calendars are filling with autumn activities, sports events, social gatherings and charity galas (ours is October 14 – join us!). The pace of life is speeding up, and it seems impossible to fit everything in.

As autumn unfolds, we hope you’ll note moments when your heart is stirred to help others through personal generosity. Way to Grow’s work continues every day to serve children and families to ensure that every child has an equal opportunity to succeed in school and life. What could be more important than children reaching their potential in life by getting the best possible start? Your yearly gift — or automatic monthly gift – will help ensure Way to Grow’s work is sustained and strengthened. Please give as generously as you can here.

If you are age 70-1/2 in 2022, you may send Way to Grow a gift directly from your IRA, which may also fulfill your Required Minimum Distribution ((if you are 72 or older in 2022). This is a beautiful method of giving that leverages pre-tax dollars to support qualified charities, so it costs you less than cash you’ve already been taxed on. It also taps into dollars already saved up and puts those funds to work now in support of neighbors in need. Individuals can gift up to $100,000 out of their IRAs each year, and these funds bypass the Federal Tax Return, so they are neither taxed as income, nor deducted as a gift.

Way to Grow would be pleased to receive your IRA gift or assist you with other tax-wise ways of giving. Please call us at (612) 874-4740 or check in with your tax advisor. Way to Grow cherishes gifts of all types and sizes. With your great support, we can reach even more families and children whose futures will be brighter because of your generosity. Thank you!

Donations Made in Honor of Black History Month

Donations Made in Honor of Black History Month 2560 1707 Maren Nelson

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 way

Living Generously: Where there’s a will, there’s a way 3334 1459 Kim Bowman

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.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Happy Valentine’s Day! 800 800 Maren Nelson

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.

Thank you, Barnes & Noble!

Thank you, Barnes & Noble! 3334 1459 Maren Nelson

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 gifts

Living Generously: Helpful tax hints for 2020 gifts 3334 1459 Kim Bowman

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 Season

Meeting Challenges This Season 8000 3960 Way to Grow

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!

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