Obama signs IRA legislation

American Council on Gift Annuities - 19 Decemeber 2014
from an email newsletter they sent out.

Today, President Barack Obama signed legislation to reinstate retroactively the IRA charitable rollover. While the timeline for making IRA charitable rollover gifts is tight (the reinstatement expires January 1, 2015), it is not too late to let your donors know that they still have time to take advantage of this gifting opportunity. The provision allows each IRA owner who is 70 1/2 or older to make direct transfers of up to a total of $100,000 per year to one or more qualified charities. The IRA charitable rollover is tax-free and not included in adjusted gross income. For more information and planning thoughts, please watch the video presentation from Emanuel J. Kallina II, J.D., LL.M., Managing Member of Kallina & Associates, LLC and ACGA Board member.

As a reminder, the IRA rollover provision excludes IRA transfers to fund charitable gift annuities.

Donations in the name of loved ones offer unique holiday gifts

Grand Traverse Insider Published: Monday, December 22, 2014

By Kristine Morris

Contributing Writer

Photo by Kristine Morris Wings of Wonder, the organization that serves to rehabilitate injured and ill raptors and return them to their natural environment, can use extra help this holiday season

REGION – During this holiday season, it’s good to remember those who have suffered losses or are in need. And what better gift can there be than one that honors its recipient with a donation to a worthy cause in their name? Here are a few suggestions:

More - Click here

Purchase A Ribbon And Help Conquer Cancer

TC Ticker -

December 19, 2014

Thanks to all of our Ticker readers who've been purchasing ribbons to honor a friend or loved one who's faced cancer for the upcoming Conquering Cancer issue of the Northern Express! With every dollar of every ribbon going to the Munson Cancer Patient Needs Fund and the McLaren Northern Michigan Cancer Survivorship Program, we want to keep the momentum building. To purchase a ribbon bearing the name of someone you love to be printed in the upcoming January 12 issue for just $20, click here. Together we can raise awareness and help benefit some great causes here in northern Michigan! Permalink

Traverse City Downtown Development Authority raises memorial funds

November 26, 2014: TC Ticker

The Traverse City Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is attempting to  raise $25,000 to create a memorial to honor the late DDA Executive Director Bryan Crough. The $25,000 will fulfill a required community match for the DDA to receive a $25,000 gift from Rotary Charities of Traverse City to "place a piece of memorial art that will reflect Bryan's life and his passion for downtown Traverse City." DDA Deputy & Marketing Director Collen Paveglio says the DDA has raised nearly $6,000 to date toward the match. Once the necessary funds are raised, a committee will be formed to discuss the nature of the memorial artwork. "While the initial thought was to do a bronze sculpture of Bryan, he would have appreciated something a little more unique," says Paveglio. "So a piece of art will be created in honor of him." The location for the memorial has not yet been determined. Donations can be made out to the Traverse City DDA and mailed to Downtown Office, PO Box 42, Traverse City MI, 49685 or dropped off at the DDA at 303 E State Street. Permalink

River's End Block Party 2014 - benefit

A Benefit for Traverse Health Clinic

Presented by:
Today's Golden-Fowler Home Furnishings

We invite you to join the businesses at River's End--The Cooks' House, Little Fleet and Front Street Tattoo--for an afternoon of award winning local food, beer and wine.

Incredible live music of five bands from around the country will play into the evening!

A motorcycle ride will kick off the event and local businesses will compete for bragging rights with tug-of-wars between band changeovers.

This Saturday, Sept. 27th, at Wellington and Front Streets in downtown Traverse City.

Tickets $20, at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/772759 or in person at Golden-Fowler Home Furnishings, The Cooks’ House, Little Fleet or Front Street Tatoo.  $25 at the door, includes a drink ticket. Additional tokens for beer, wine and pig roast can be purchased once inside.

Cash only please.

Details on our website at www.traversehealthclinic.org/events

The forecast is for sunny skies and 70 degrees!  See you there!

Community Challenge is a chance to say ‘thanks’ to Traverse Health Clinic

Published: Sunday, September 21, 2014 : Grand Traverse Insider

By Kristine Morris
Contributing Writer

Photo courtesy Sherri Fenton -

Traverse Health Clinic is noted for providing quality affordable care 

to all area residents regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.

REGION – Since the mid-1970s, when it was known as the Community Health Clinic, the Traverse Health Clinic (THC) has been providing health care to the medically underserved. And though it’s gone through some changes, its mission remains the same: to provide quality primary health care services to the community, regardless of the type of public or private insurance people have – or even if they don’t have insurance.

Services are offered at an affordable cost with sliding fees based on household income and family size. Every patient is welcome and no one is turned away for lack of ability to pay.

Now it’s time for the community to give back, and the American Proficiency Institute is helping by offering a dollar-for-dollar match for gifts up to $25,000 towards THC’s Clinical Care Expansion Campaign. Funds raised will support extended provider hours at the family care clinic.

More ... click here

Museum Researching Local Aircraft Carriers

September 4, 2014 - TC Ticker

The Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum in Northport is looking for information on the World War II aircraft carriers that were used in Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay for an upcoming exhibit. If anyone in Leelanau County or the surrounding Grand Traverse area has any images, firsthand accounts, newspaper articles or other histories related to these unique aircraft carriers they are asked to email Amanda or call 386.7195. Photo: USS Wolverine, US Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation Permalink

Michael Moore, Kathleen Glynn Donate $250k to Film Fest

July 31, 2014 by TC Ticker - link below

Filmmaker Michael Moore presented a $250,000 check Tuesday evening to the Traverse City Film Festival (TCFF) board of directors to launch a new program that will bring independent, documentary and foreign films to movie theaters across the country. The check - presented on behalf of Moore and his former wife and longtime producer Kathleen Glynn - represents the last of a nearly million-dollar fund established by the duo in 1989 using profits from Moore's film Roger & Me to benefit artistic groups and nonprofit organizations. The money will be used to launch a new program, tentatively called Mike's Movie Night, that will stream independent films once a month to theaters across the United States and Canada using the State Theatre as a home base. Moore will curate the films along with other prominent filmmakers and will host live Q&As with the film's directors and cast at the events. The Q&As will also be simulcast and will provide audience members opportunities to ask questions of the filmmakers. "I wanted to do something special, something big to honor all the good over the years that has resulted from my first film," says Moore of the gift. "This donation will be used specifically to address the lack of access across the country for people who want to go to a movie theater and see a foreign film or a documentary." The quarter-million dollar donation will be overseen and administered by the festival board, which would "like to bring a little bit of Traverse City to the rest of the world," according to board treasurer and TCFF co-founder John Robert Williams. Permalink

Goodwill Looks to "Fill The Freezer"

TC Business Magazine, e-newsletter, "The Ticker", 28 July 2014

Goodwill is turning to crowdfunding site Indiegogo to "Fill the Freezer" with healthy protein. The campaign aims to help local 4-H kids and put healthy local meat on the plates of people served by the Goodwill Inn, Addiction Treatment Services, Meals on Wheels and Food Rescue by raising funds to buy livestock at the Northwestern Michigan Fair 4-H Livestock auction on August 7. Every gift toward the $5,000 goal goes toward the purchase of an animal that will feed thousands. The cost to purchase and process a pig is about $600, approximately $1,500 for a steer. Permalink

Caring for Kelsey

Bill Marsh posted this on a twitter feed ....

For five years, Kelsey Clous has been tethered to hospitals in a valiant battle against a rare blood clotting disorder. A group of supporters is coming to the aid of the Clous family as they deal with skyrocketing bills. 

We have created this fundraiser to help the Clous family with the costs associated with Kelsey’s illness.

We will also hold an event called Caring for Kelsey on August 8th at Bill Marsh Automotive on South Garfield in Traverse City, Michigan. The fundraiser will include a huge bake sale, lunch, silent auction, car wash and oil changes. The proceeds will help the family with costs (travel to hospitals, housing, living expenses) associated with Kelsey’s illness. - 

See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/caring-for-kelsey-/197124#sthash.lxfRcp5o.dpuf

Have you had experience using youcaring.com?

Traverse Health Clinic makes match

Traverse Health Clinic announced that it met its Rotary Charities Challenge by raising $25,000 from the community. They also announced another $25,000 matching opportunity through a grant they received from the American Proficiency Institute.

Check out their website at Click here.

GT Pie Creates Endowment for Youth

From the Ticker of Traverse City Business Magazine - 19 July 2014

Grand Traverse Pie Company is celebrating its 18th birthday today (July 19), by creating an endowment: Michigan Partners Helping Michigan's Youth. Today through July 26, GT Pie is dedicating a portion of all pie sales to the fund, which provides financial support for individuals in Michigan's foster care program who aspire to continue into higher education. The goal is to raise $12,000 during this year's celebration, with all money going directly to student needs, including housing, school supplies and other expenses related to their education. In addition to the birthday celebration, GT Pie partners will be matching funds. The endowment will be celebrated each year on the company's birthday. GT Pie Co., founded in 1996 by Mike and Denise Busley, has two locations in Traverse City, and thirteen additional shops around the state and in Indiana. Permalink

Father Fred Raises $58k, Receives Additional $25k

June 25, 2014: The Ticker of Traverse City Business Magazine

Supporters of The Father Fred Foundation raised $58,103 during the five-week long Art Van Charity Challenge, good enough for sixth place and an additional $25,000 grant from Art Van Furniture. Organizations from all over the Midwest competed in the fundraising challenge, though Father Fred was the only northern Michigan charity. The donations will go toward Father Fred's housing assistance program with the grant further supporting housing efforts, as well as the food pantry and financial aid programs. Permalink

Fundraising Questions I'm Most Often Asked

From Harvey McKinnon, posted on Guidestar

June 2014

When you've been in this field long enough, and maybe have a few books to your credit, you're often invited to speak at conferences. It's a great way to stay in touch with the many wonderful people in this profession. I get to reconnect with the wise elders and meet the passionate newcomers.

Invariably at the end of my presentations I'm asked a number of wide-ranging questions. Many are highly specific, but others pertain to most every organization. Here are some of the questions I'm most commonly asked.

More click here

Run for Shelter - Record Eagle Story

June 23, 2014

Run for Shelter supports Goodwill Inn

BY KATE HANSEN chansen@record-eagle.com Traverse City Record-Eagle

TRAVERSE CITY — Community members will put their best foot forward for the homeless at the annual Run for Shelter race to benefit the Goodwill Inn.

“The Goodwill Inn is one of our neediest programs,” Events Manager for the Goodwill Industries Lilly Nowicki said.

Funds raised from the race set for Saturday will support more than 700 area homeless people by providing shelter, three meals per-day and one-on-one counseling with case managers to help with job placement, training, and finding permanent housing.

Donations from local sponsors will help cover event costs, including timing systems, T-shirts for participants and rental space, and ensure that the $30 registration fee for runners directly benefits a neighbor in need.
“We try to have sponsors on board to pay for the event so the registration fee is a direct donation to our programs,” Nowicki said.

In past years the Goodwill Industries partnered with other local agencies to host the race. Now, in their sixth year, they are organizing the event on their own and regular participants may notice some changes.
“We’ve made some adjustments to make the race more family friendly,” Nowicki said.

She attributed the changes to the increase in the number of runners for this year’s race. Currently there are 125 participants registered and the Goodwill Industries hope to have at least 200 runners by race time.
The race will start at Willow Hill Elementary, 1250 Hill Street in Traverse City on Saturday at 9 a.m. Runners and walkers are encouraged to bring children, pets, and friends.

Those interested in supporting the Goodwill Industries through this event can visit www.goodwillnmi.org/runforshelter for more information.

Giving USA 2014 Report Highlights

click here for site.

The Giving USA 2014 report Highlights provides an overview of key 2013 data. The Giving 
USA 2014 report Highlights is instantly downloadable.

Some of the highlights:

Who gives the $335.17 billion in 2013?

72%   Individuals
15%    Foundations
  8%    Bequests
  5%    Corporations

I wonder if we should have our fundraising plans shaped to spend 72% of our time with individual donors?

The dead still out pace corporations in giving.

Special Delivery

From the Grand Traverse Insider, 4 May 2014
Grand Traverse Insider > News

Postal workers collect food donations for local pantries

REGION – Post offices in Benzie County and throughout the area will participate in a national food drive this month to help re-stock several area food pantries.

On May 10, the 22nd Annual National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive will be held, sponsored by the National Association of Letter Carriers, in cooperation with the U.S. Postal Service, National Rural Carriers Association, the AFL-CIO, United Way of America and local anti-hunger agencies nationwide, such as Michigan’s Northwest Food Coalition.

In Benzie, area letter carriers will pick up donations of non-perishable food items left out at mailboxes across the county. Donations picked up will benefit the Benzie County Food Partners, Lake Ann Food Pantry, Fresh Wind Christian Community Food Pantry and Unveiling Truth food pantries.

Read more - Click here 

Power of the Purse Fundraiser - May 10

From the TC Ticker... 5 May 2014 ...

Power of the Purse Fundraiser - May 10 Put the POWER in EmPOWERment! You can help local women and children staying at the Goodwill Inn get the resources they need to succeed. Join your local Goodwill for a Mother's Day weekend brunch on May 10 at the City Opera House (10am-12pm). Use the POWER of what's in your purse to emPOWER neighbors in need! Tickets only $40; doors open at 9:30am. details

Estate and Gift Planning, Tip # 9

Check out "The Ultimate Quick Reference Planned Giving Pocket Guide" by PlannedGiving.com .

It is the best overview guide with "elevator pitches" included.  They have variations on this guide for volunteers, board members, and professional advisers.

A nice tool to give every gift planner you know!

I do also like their "When, how, and why to plan a gift." one page chart on the major gift strategies.

Again this is a tool.  Tools have to fit donors needs and goals. Not the other way around.