That Last Minute Donation

Today is the last day to take advantage of the special provision created for traditional Roth and IRA retirement programs, which allows individuals to withdraw up to $100,000 and contribute it to a 501 (c)3 nonprofit organization. The Pension Protection Act 2006 is scheduled to expire at the end of this year. It allows individuals age 70 1/2 and older to give the amount they are required to withdraw or any other amount up to the $100,000 to a nonprofit organization without worrying about normal deduction limitations, additional taxes or Social Security benefits, state income taxes or other adverse tax consequences that otherwise might apply. If you are in a position to do so, go for it!--Arnold Clickstein

Case Foundation Stirs Citizen Philanthropy

The Case Foundation is testing citizen led philanthropy. It is offering the readers of Parade magazine and members of the Causes section of Facebook's website a chance to enter a contest to win from $250,000 to $500,000 for their favorite charity. What a great idea! The power of the internet for raising money for the myriad of causes has only reached the tip of the iceberg. The potential is enormous. If your organization is not making use of the internet in its fundraising activities, it ought to. Likewise, if your organization has been reluctant to accept credit cards, it needs to change its attitude. Whatever the reason, be it the fees or the belief that credit cards encourage people to spend more than they have, organizations need to focus more on making it as easy and convenient for the donor to make the donation.