DONATE AND CHANGE LIVES

CARES ACT PROVISIONS: THE GOOD NEWS FOR CHARITABLE GIVING

The law allows an above-the-line income tax charitable deduction of $300, or $600 for married filing jointly.

This is new. We have never had a universal charitable deduction before. It applies only to gifts of cash. It’s also a permanent provision which applies to gifts made in 2020 and each year thereafter. While on its face this isn’t a large tax break, the fact that it would reduce adjusted gross income could lead to a reduction in the applicable tax rate and much larger savings. A non-itemizing individual can now deduct up to $300 in cash charitable contributions in addition to claiming the standard deduction of $12,400. For married filing jointly the deduction is $600 with a $24,800 standard deduction.

For individuals who itemize in 2020, the cap for their charitable deduction on gifts of cash increased from 60% of adjusted gross income (AGI) to 100% of AGI.

A donor who uses all of her/his available deduction for qualified gifts would pay no federal income tax in 2020! She could also elect to carry over any unused portion for up to five years. This provision only applies for the 2020 tax year, and this makes the next nine months an unprecedented time for donors to make that gift-of-a-lifetime, endow a scholarship or create another fund that relates to their unique charitable interests. If you have been considering making your legacy a reality, then 2020 presents an ideal opportunity to make it happen with unprecedented tax savings.

For corporations, the cap on their charitable deduction for gifts of cash increased from 10% of the corporation’s taxable income to 25%.

This provision only applies for the 2020 tax year as well, and it sets up a one-time opportunity over the next nine months to have a special impact on our community at this time of great need and suffering. The incentives for our corporate community to partner with nonprofit organizations and have an immediate impact on the lives of others has never been better.
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DONATE TO CHANGE A LIFE AND CREATE TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE IN OUR REGION

Only 10% of low-income, first-generation to college individuals complete a college degree. KC Scholars can change that for our region and you can be part of that change.

Most Scholars say that without KC Scholars they would not have attended college. Your donation can change a life!

KC Scholars provides the means – through scholarships, financial incentives to promote college savings, and support services – for low- and modest-income students and adults needing access to pursue and complete a college degree. By doing so, KC Scholars will increase the Greater Kansas City postsecondary graduation rate, workforce pipeline numbers, and civic engagement. KC Scholars will make at least 500 awards annually (250 traditional, 200 adult learner, 50 college savings match) and seed up to 500 college savings accounts annually.

Watch Scholars being awarded at May 1st surprise award ceremonies and you will be inspired to donate!

HOW TO DONATE

Don’t wait. Donate now. Paying for college is the greatest barrier to those who might have otherwise attended. KC Scholars provides hope and opportunity by making college possible for thousands.

Everyone can contribute to the success of KC Scholars and the students and adult learners it supports. 100% of donations go directly to scholarship support, enabling KC Scholars to award even more scholarships in future years.

Donations as little as $50 are accepted and we encourage larger, multi-year donations. Donors receive a statement for tax purposes.

If you prefer to visit in person about a potential donation, please contact Director of Development, Ana Valdez.

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NAMED SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Individuals and organizations who wish to provide scholarship funds may do so in a manner that allows them to (1) leverage funds already committed by other donors and (2) retain their name so that the recipients will know who provided funding for the scholarship.

The named scholarship will be awarded with both the KC Scholars name and the donor’s name.

Named scholarship opportunities are available for a commitment of $2,500 a year for 5 consecutive years.

Named scholarships were introduced at the public launch of KC Scholars on September 28, 2016 as an inaugural vehicle to provide the opportunity for community investors to make significant early commitments to the program and to name the scholarship in honor of someone and/or the contributing individual or entity. To learn more about this opportunity, contact Director of Development Ana Valdez at avaldez@kcscholars.org

DONORS

100% of donations go directly to support additional scholarships.

The KC Scholars’ funding model provides the opportunity for community members to donate so that even more scholarships are awarded each year. 100% of donations fund additional scholarships for low- and modest-income students and adult learners from our region.

Donors with an * after their name are Inaugural Donors that donated between program launch and June 30, 2018. KC Scholars secured a recognizable and respected group of community leaders as inaugural donors. They will be memorialized as inaugural donors in perpetuity. Because of their generosity and belief in the program mission and impact, KC Scholars exceeded its early fundraising goals.

It is through ongoing support of the community that we will ensure that KC Scholars creates significant impact to the region’s workforce and economy. We appreciate our funders and thank them for providing college opportunity to those that otherwise would likely have not attended or completed college.

Donors

  • Academy Bank
  • Ad Astra
  • Mauli & Sue Agrawal
  • Arvest Foundation
  • Ash Grove Charitable Foundation
  • Ashley Anderson*
  • Avila University*
  • Charlie & Dorothy Aylward
  • Backstrom Family Foundation*
  • Ibraheem Badejo
  • Zulema & Terry Bassham
  • Todd & Julie Bickel
  • James Blau
  • Barbara & Robert Bloch
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City*
  • John & Nancy Bowen
  • Ben Bradley*
  • O. Maxine & Lloyd Briggs
  • Amy Brown*
  • Howard & Edie Brown – Jacob & Frances O. Brown Family Fund
  • Michael & Eva Brown – Jacob & Frances O. Brown Family Fund
  • Robert Buckley*
  • Claudia Burford
  • John Cadwalader*
  • Carl S. Privitera Sr. Trust
  • Mr. Michael & Dr. Karmel Carothers
  • Nat & June Cassingham
  • Johanna Chavez*
  • Charles L. Abrams & Evelyn R. Abrams Philanthropic Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City
  • Maria Chaurand*
  • David & Barbara Christianson
  • John Christie
  • Joan Cohen
  • Cerner Corporation
  • Pat & Virginia Clune
  • Colliers International*
  • Karen Collins*
  • CommunityAmerica Foundation*
  • Community Services League*
  • Condon Family Foundation*
  • Continental Siding Supply
  • Monica Copeland
  • CSL: Anonymous Donor
  • CSL Scholars: Midland Scholarship
  • Kathleen Boyle Dalen*
  • Dave & Dee Dillon Charitable Fund*
  • Penny & David Doty
  • Martha Doty
  • Dunn Family Foundation*
  • Bill & Jean Dunn
  • Ernie & Rose Dunn
  • Terrence & Peggy Dunn*
  • Roger A. & Corinne R. Durkee Fund
  • Susan Eck
  • Debbie & Alan Edelman
  • Edward F. Swinney Trust
  • Tammy Edwards*
  • EL Stoley Scholarship Fund
  • Enid & Crosby Kemper Foundation
  • Enterprise Bank & Trust*
  • Enterprise Holdings Foundation*
  • Enterprise Holdings – Kansas LLC
  • J'Nan & Nick Erker
  • David Evans
  • Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation*
  • Lisa Feingold
  • Spencer Fields
  • Michael & Melissa Fitkin
  • Gery Flattery*
  • Fort Osage Education Foundation
  • Francis Family Foundation
  • Frank Lipsman & Janet Mark Fund
  • Sandi & Ed Fried Family
  • Frank & Sondra Friedman
  • Terry Garberg
  • Sophia Garcia*
  • Gautreaux Family Foundation*
  • James & Linda Gibson
  • Global Prairie*
  • Grain Valley Education Foundation
  • Greater Kansas City Community Foundation
  • Lacey Graverson*
  • Susan Gray*
  • Guadalupe Centers
  • Wendy & Dean Guillies*
  • Tonya Guinn*
  • Hallmark Cards, Incorporated
  • Jim & Sharon Hannah
  • Jackie & Brent Hathhorn
  • Michael & Sylvia Haverty
  • Helen S. Boylan Foundation*
  • Shirley & Barnett Helzberg Foundation*
  • Hickman Mills Educational Foundation*
  • Hile Family
  • Hockaday Family Fund*
  • Karrin Huhmann*
  • Hunt Family Foundation
  • Husch Blackwell*
  • John & Jennifer Isenberg Philanthropic Fund
  • Steve & Joan Israelite*
  • Anthony Ivory*
  • Camry Ivory
  • Larry Jacob, Jr.*
  • Jedel Family Foundation
  • JE Dunn Construction Co.*
  • Bev & Justin Johl
  • Amy Jordan*
  • Elizabeth Kane
  • KCP&L/Evergy*
  • Kauffman Foundation Holiday Match Program*
  • Shane Kavanagh
  • Kearney School District Education Foundation
  • Christine & Sandy Kemper Family Foundation*
  • Jesika Ketchum
  • John & Nancy Kimak*
  • Jan & Tom Kreamer*
  • Garland & Sarah Land
  • Leawood Elementary 5th Grade Class*
  • Benny & Edith Lee*
  • Al Lefko*
  • Larry Lester
  • Mary Long
  • Loretta M. Britton Charitable Fund
  • Samantha Love*
  • Debbie Lubin
  • Mary Elizabeth Martin Scholarship Trust
  • Keith Mays*
  • Mary & Gary Meissner
  • Cheryl McConnell*
  • Sue McCord-Belzer & Irv Belzer*
  • McCown Family Foundation*
  • Donna McDaniel
  • Mary McLean & Rita Cortes*
  • Missouri Scholarship & Loan Foundation*
  • John & Kate Mitchell
  • Debbie & Steve Mitchener
  • David Monchusie
  • Emily Monchusie
  • Robyn Monchusie
  • MRIGlobal
  • Patrick & Mary Beth Musick
  • New Frontier Educational Foundation*
  • Tyler & Leigh Nottberg*
  • Garold & Evelyn Oliver*
  • Elizabeth O’Shaughnessy
  • Marta Padula*
  • Peculiar Charitable Foundation
  • Carl Pelofsky*
  • Lisa Pelofsky*
  • Mark Pelofsky & Kari Tannenbaum*
  • Chris Perkins*
  • Zachary Pierce*
  • Amy & Dallas Polen, III*
  • Bryce Presko
  • Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH)*
  • Andrea & Kent Price Family Foundation
  • Prier Charitable Foundation
  • Prosperity Now 1:1 Fund
  • R & C Charitable Foundation*
  • Victor & Helen Regnier Fund*
  • Michael Roane
  • Rockhurst High School
  • Bonney Root
  • Rotary Club of Independence
  • Veronica Ruiz
  • Sam Sabaugh
  • Valerie Salazar
  • Lucy Santoyo
  • Scheels
  • Mike & Cathy Schultz*
  • Jane Schulz
  • Seaboard Foundation
  • Sue Seidler*
  • Shirish & Rashmi Shah*
  • Peter & Amy Shapiro
  • Wendy Shaull
  • Sherman Family Foundation*
  • Ronald & Suzanne Slepitza*
  • Matt & Lindsey Smith
  • David & Nola Soper
  • Sosland Foundation*
  • Morton & Estelle Sosland*
  • Mary Kay & Brad Speaks
  • Spire*
  • Sprint Foundation*
  • Susan Stanton
  • Stephen Statler
  • Michael Stolper
  • Jeannine Strandjord*
  • David Ta
  • Beth Tankersley-Bankhead*
  • The George K. Baum Family Foundation*
  • The Harley-Davidson Foundation*
  • The Ronald D. Deffenbaugh Foundation*
  • The Stanley H. Durwood Foundation*
  • Liza & Guy Townsend*
  • Candice Uhlig*
  • University of Missouri-Columbia (MU)
  • UMKC
  • University of Missouri System
  • Ana Valdez
  • Kenna Valentine*
  • LB & Sandra Vierling
  • Village Presbyterian Church
  • David & Julie Warm*
  • Cherelle Washington
  • Shari Wassergord*
  • Carolyn Watley*
  • WdS Educational Foundation*
  • Sandra Weaver
  • William D. Sullivan Family Foundation
  • India Wells-Carter*
  • James & Marilyn Witkop
  • Jean-Paul Wong*
  • Jonn Wullschleger