Pictured from left to right: Hannah Carter, Alicia Chalmers, Susie Bowie, Jennifer Abbott, Joan McCaw, courtesy of MCF

“This is the time of year when many of us consider making charitable gifts to help bring about the positive change we hope to see in the world,” says Susie Bowie, executive director of Manatee Community Foundation (MCF). “But in these times of great need, it can feel a little overwhelming.” To combat the sense of burden and commotion that comes with the holiday season, Manatee Community Foundation is hosting a virtual webinar: “7 Tips to Make the Most of Your Year End Giving. Alicia Chalmers and Jennifer Abbott of MCF’s Philanthropy Team will lead the discussion including what to keep in mind to help bring joy and confidence to your year-end giving. “Everyone’s heart is moved by different charitable missions, and that diversity in caring makes our community healthy and vibrant in many ways,” they say. “In this event, we will provide some solid, practical and trusted advice for your giving, no matter what is most important to you and no matter how much you have available to give.”

Poignant topical tips will cover: setting a budget for your giving, supporting your favorite organizations, considering unrestricted gifts, multiplying your impact with existing funds, understanding the tax implications of the CARES Act and developing your legacy plans. “There are some simple tools and considerations everyone can utilize, such as drafting a thoughtful giving budget, multiplying your impact through local opportunities, and starting out by determining the difference you want to see your dollars make,” they explain. “Applying some thought, planning and focus to your charitable giving can make the experience more rewarding to you and impactful in the community.”

Chalmers and Abbott will also share how residents can most beneficially utilize their local Community Foundation as a resource for philanthropy. “We are blessed in this area with several community foundation partners, and each one of them is a knowledgeable guide—providing tax-wise, personal and informed advice to people who invest in nonprofit organizations.” And with friendly professionals representing at each, there is an abundance of giving guidance while living and legacy planning. The presentation will also cover the power of unrestricted donations, gifts that nonprofits may use for any purpose, such as operating expenses of the organization or to a particular project that the nonprofit chooses. 

It’s no surprise why the act of "giving" is more important this year than ever. With the compounded challenges of COVID-19 commandeering most of 2020, there is no better time to connect with local nonprofits with missions you feel are essential to a healthy community, Chalmers and Abbott urge. There are many choices of local nonprofit organizations, and taking the time to do a little research may reveal some new opportunities to consider agencies that are doing amazing work in social justice, arts and culture, education, environment and conservation, animal welfare, or health and human services. “We shouldn’t take for granted that they will be here without stepping up philanthropic support,” they say. “No gift is too small...or too big. As always, make your giving be a true reflection of your value. It is deeply personal to you and your life experiences.”

Register for “7 Tips to Make the Most of Your Year-End Giving” presentation today at 10:00 am via Zoom at ManateeCF.org or email Events@ManateeCF.org. If you can’t make the live presentation this morning, the recording and handout will be available afterwards via ManateeCF.org.

Pictured from left to right: Hannah Carter, Alicia Chalmers, Susie Bowie, Jennifer Abbott, Joan McCaw, courtesy of MCF