Foundation Note - December 12, 2016

 

 

Foundation-Giving Scorecard for ‘16-‘17

By Sanjay Deshpande
 
The Rotary Foundation is supported by contributions from Rotarians all around the world. Our district has set a goal of $325,000 in total Foundation giving in Rotary year 2016-2017, which ends next June 30. That’s about 10 percent above the $293,705 contributed during ’15-‘16. The ’16-’17 per-capita average goal is about $225.
 
As of November 24, the district’s total giving stood at $33,393, or 10 percent of the annual goal. Historically, December and the April-June quarter are the highest contribution periods. District Governor-Nominee-Designate Pam Anastasi (left) will be leading the districtwide charge toward the goal with the help of Steve Levitsky (middle), chair of the District Fundraising Subcommittee, and Satya Mitra (right), chair of the District Endowments and Major Gifts Subcommittee.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The leaders of the Foundation-giving effort so far are shown in this table, ranked by per-capita contribution through November 24.
 
Rank
Club
Members as of July 1, 2016
Per capita Amount
1
Bedford
36
$212
2
Milford
28
$165
3
Auburn
6
$127
4
Wachusett Area
36
$115
5
Fitchburg East
23
$97
6
Nashoba Valley
30
$88
7
Gardner
20
$72
8
Charles River
13
$62
9
Fitchburg
25
$58
10
Merrimack Valley
11
$55
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December is the time for tax planning and it is a smart strategy to make all of the charitable contributions for 2016 now.
 
Also, those Rotarians who receive required minimum distributions from their IRAs may wish to follow the example of Bud Fortin of the Rotary Club of Fitchburg East. Last year, he urged district officers to share this message with all Rotarians: “My guess is that there are many Rotarians such as myself who are retired, over 70, have IRAs and no home mortgage. Most of us probably do not itemize deductions, so it may be helpful to point out to us that any funds donated from the required minimum distribution directly to a qualified charity do not have to be included as income on our taxes. In other words, without even itemizing, we can completely avoid the tax on that portion of the distribution.
 
“I believe it does cover any amount taken out of an IRA after age 70-1/2, and I'm not even sure one must be 70-1/2,” Bud continued. “It would pleasantly surprise me if any Rotarian would be donating more than his/her minimum distribution. I have my donations sent to: The Rotary Foundation, 14280 Collections Center Drive, Chicago, IL 60693. Be sure that the donor includes his/her Rotary number, so credit can be given.”
 
Pam Anastasi, Steve Levitsky and Satya Mitra will be approaching all Rotarians through their clubs in the next few days, weeks and months to appeal for your generous contributions to The Rotary Foundation.
 
Pam Anastasi may be reached at pamela.anastasi@ebtc.com, Steve Levitsky may be reached at stevey50@aol.com, and Satya Mitra may be reached at satya@thegurutax.com.
 
If you have any questions about the District Foundation Committee, contact either District Grants Subcommittee Chair Jorge Yarzebski at yj.rotary@gmail.com or me, District Foundation Committee Chair Sanjay Deshpande, sanjdesh51@aol.com.
 
For the Foundation Notes archive, click here
 
Learn more about District 7910 Foundation Grants: