You Can't Take It With You
In addition to family gifting, many individuals support giving to organizations that aim to help their communities. We highlight some strategies to make the most of your giving dollars.
By Managing Director & Senior Advisor Jennifer Smiljanich, CFP®.
Giving to family members or charitable organizations is a highly personal decision, often tied with emotional strings. We make gifts aligned with our values, and our choice to give, or not to give, tells other people something about us. I have always felt a strong connection to Catholic Charities. In 1951, my father’s family emigrated to the United States from Germany with a few suitcases and a dream of a better life. His family received clothing from Catholic Charities to make their transition to America easier. Now I want to give that opportunity to someone else!
For some, gifting to family takes precedence over making donations to charity. Keep in mind that you may gift up to $17,000 per individual in 2023, without generating gift tax. Gifts can be made to individuals using cash or securities.[1] Various types of account structures, including 529 Plans, trusts, and Roth IRAs, may be used to help your loved ones accomplish their future goals, and your own.
In addition to family gifting, many individuals support giving to organizations that aim to help their communities. Below, we’ve highlighted some strategies to make the most of your giving dollars:
1. Consider making gifts using IRA dollars: for those age 70 ½ or older in 2023, you may request that your IRA custodian cut a check directly to a charity (called a qualified charitable distribution (QCD)). This strategy works well for individuals who cannot itemize deductions on their tax return. Each IRA dollar given to a qualified non-profit organization does not count as taxable income to the IRA owner. Additionally, for those taking required minimum distributions (RMDs), these donations can be used to satisfy your RMDs.[2]
2. Donate highly appreciated securities: if you are making a meaningful gift to a qualified charity, you may be able to donate a stock, mutual fund, or exchange traded fund (ETF) in kind. By doing so, you can avoid realizing the gain on the security at sale (and the resulting tax). The charity can sell the security and does not realize the gain if they are a qualified organization.[3] A win for both the giver and receiver! Consider this example of donating $50,000 of securities directly to charity:
3. Donor advised funds: these types of accounts can be held through a community foundation or custodian, including Schwab, Fidelity, and Vanguard. An individual can donate cash or securities to fund an account; using highly appreciated securities is most advantageous. At the time of funding, the donor receives a tax deduction up to the value of the securities / cash donated. The original securities are then sold and may be invested in other securities. Then, the donor may use the account to make donations all at once, or over time, to charitable organizations. There are some caveats - the receiving charity must be a legitimate qualified charity and the donor cannot use donor advised funds in a way that the donor receives some benefit (i.e. to pay for a gala dinner).[4] Unfortunately, a QCD from an IRA may not be directed to a donor advised fund.
4. Cash is always an option: for smaller gifts, one-time gifts, and gifts to smaller organizations that might not have a brokerage account to receive securities, cash might be the simplest and most effective option.
Finally, some states offer tax credits for charitable donations that might be used to help families paying private school tuition or to aid other charitable organizations. Tax credits reduce taxes due dollar-for-dollar. Ohio recently began a tax credit program to support scholarship granting organizations (such as some private schools), up to $750 per individual or $1,500 per married couple.[5] Arizona also offers tax credits for donations to selected charitable organizations and foster care organizations.[6]
We are available to help you, in coordination with your tax or estate professional, consider how to best accomplish your giving goals to family or to organizations aligned with your values. While gifts must be completed before December 31st to count for the current tax year, giving can be done throughout the year to support the people and causes that are near and dear to you.
Important Disclosure Information & Sources:
[1] “Frequently Asked Questions on Gift Taxes”. Internal Revenue Service, 2023, irs.gov.
[2] “IRA FAQs - Distributions (Withdrawals)”. Internal Revenue Service, 2023, irs.gov.
[3] “About Publication 526, Charitable Contributions”. Internal Revenue Service, 2023, irs.gov.
[4] “Donor-advised Funds”. Internal Revenue Service, 2023, irs.gov.
[5] “Scholarship Donation Credit”. Ohio Department of Taxation, 2023, tax.ohio.gov.
[6] “Credits for Contributions to QCOs and QFCOs”. Arizona Department of Revenue, 2023, azdor.gov.
There is no guarantee investment strategies will be successful. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Diversification neither assures a profit nor guarantees against a loss in a declining market.
Advisory services are provided by SJS Investment Services, a registered investment advisor (RIA) with the SEC. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. SJS Investment Services does not provide legal or tax advice. Please consult your legal or tax professionals for specific advice.
Statements contained in this article that are not statements of historical fact are intended to be and are forward looking statements. Forward looking statements include expressed expectations of future events and the assumptions on which the expressed expectations are based. All forward looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on various expectations and assumptions concerning future events and they are subject to numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected.
Hyperlinks to third-party information are provided as a convenience.
International Samaritan: Walking Hand-In-Hand With Families In Garbage Dump Communities
International Samaritan is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is working to break the chains of poverty and improving lives, particularly within garbage dump communities worldwide.
An interview with Investment / Compliance Associate Bobby Adusumilli. This interview is part of our Stories of Giving & Achievement Series, highlighting community involvement efforts. If you are interested in learning more about International Samaritan, please visit their website.
Bobby, can you tell us about International Samaritan and their mission?
International Samaritan was started by a group of students and faculty from St. John’s Jesuit High School, which is where I went to high school. In the early 1990s, Father Don Vettese, S.J., helped to lead St. John’s students on annual service trips to Guatemala. These students saw the conditions of how people were living near the garbage dump in Guatemala, which was and still is where a lot of people live.
In contrast to landfills, garbage dumps are dangerous, poorly regulated areas, with trash spilling into the surrounding communities. These garbage dump communities are home to refugees, lepers, abuse victims, orphans, and other extraordinarily vulnerable groups. As a result, the average life expectancy in garbage dump communities is around 35 years old, and the majority of children drop out of school by seventh grade, often in order to work in the garbage dumps to provide for their families.[1]
The St. John’s students wanted to do something to help the people in these communities break the cycle of generational poverty, and Father Vettese challenged them to create a plan. Together in 1994, they created International Samaritan, which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is working to break the chains of poverty and improving lives, particularly within garbage dump communities, where an estimated (probably significantly underestimated) 15 million people are confirmed to live worldwide. International Samaritan does this in a few primary ways, tailoring services to each community:
Holistic scholarships for students from preschool through college, helping to cover school fees, medical expenses, and other living expenses so that students don’t have to drop out of school.
Support schools so that they can operate efficiently and hire excellent staff.
Safe water and safe spaces for students, their families, and community members.
Build homes for families that don’t have them through volunteer work and contracting local businesses.
Strategic partnerships with local leaders to identify and serve community needs.
Originally focusing on Guatemala, International Samaritan now works within 7 communities / countries: Ethiopia, Guatemala, San Pedro Sula in Honduras, Tegucigalpa in Honduras, Jamaica, Kenya, and Uganda. Today, International Samaritan supports nearly 900 students through its scholarships and partnerships with schools.
2022 - Francisco Coll School in Guatemala
How did you get involved with International Samaritan?
International Samaritan hosts service immersion trips for high schools, universities, organizations, and other interested groups of people to experience the communities and volunteer while there.
In 2011, entering my senior year of high school, St. John’s organized a weeklong service immersion trip to Guatemala with International Samaritan. Along with over a dozen classmates, we spent a few days seeing the garbage dump community in Guatemala and volunteering at the Francisco Coll School, such as doing maintenance work and spending time with the students.
While the trip did have a service element, its biggest goal was educating us about the conditions and difficulties that people living in garbage dump communities face and demonstrating ways we could help. Particularly for us high school students growing up in the United States, it was shocking to see the conditions that these students - similar to us - had to grow up in, and how they continued to come to school every day with joy and ready to study. While seeing the conditions saddened us, it also made us want to help as well as have more gratitude for what we had back home.
2011 - A classmate and I with two young students from the Francisco Coll School
In 2022, I had the opportunity to travel back to Guatemala for a five-day trip with a group of people interested in becoming more involved with International Samaritan. We saw a lot of the same places that I had seen over a decade prior. Compared to what I remembered from 2011, International Samaritan had really improved their schools and expanded to serve ages from toddlers through high school students, with college age students receiving scholarships to attend local universities. For example, International Samaritan bought a building near the garbage dump which they converted to a Family Life Center to provide a safe space with good resources for students to come to before and after school to complete their schoolwork as well as relax. Additionally, I could tell the garbage dump community in Guatemala had improved, though there is still a lot more work to be done.
What probably most impressed me during this trip was seeing the care and enthusiasm of the program leaders, teachers, and other staff members. A lot of these caretakers live in the community, and they seem to really want to help these children succeed. We arrived at the end of the school year, and some of the teachers told us that they are sad for the upcoming break because they enjoy being with the students each day. To me, having educators who really care about the students gives the children a better chance of breaking the cycle of poverty.
2022 - Teachers, staff members, and group members at the Francisco Coll School
How can people get involved with and support International Samaritan?
Financial limitation is the number one reason why International Samaritan is not able to support more students. Unfortunately, International Samaritan has to turn away students each year. Since 2019, 100% of donations to International Samaritan go towards services in the developing nations, as all other overhead costs are covered by their endowment fund. If you are interested in financially supporting International Samaritan, you can visit intsam.org/donation-redirect.
If you are interested in attending a service immersion trip or participating in their Learn, Serve, Grow program, book clubs, or other projects, you can visit intsam.org/lsg-program. While I have learned a lot about International Samaritan through conversations with their team members as well as via their written materials and videos, actually seeing the Guatemala community and their work has made me feel strongly about how important their services are.
Finally, every October, International Samaritan organizes a global 5K, which you can participate in by visiting intsamglobal5k.com. You can run with your own small team wherever you are, or you can join a larger team. Additionally, some cities are organizing events for people to meet up and run together - for example, I am helping to organize a 5K run in the Toledo, Ohio area in early November, with more details to follow. This year, International Samaritan’s goal is to raise $150,000 in order to provide 50 students with scholarships.
I am grateful to know the International Samaritan team, and hope more people are able to learn about the amazing services that they are providing around the world!
2022 - International Samaritan 5K run with students in Guatemala
2011 - My classmates and I at the Francisco Coll School in Guatemala with Juan Carlos, who drove us around during the trip
2011 - Painting at the Francisco Coll School
2022 - Students at the Family Life Center in Guatemala
2022 - Watching a grade school graduation ceremony practice in Guatemala
Important Disclosure Information & Sources:
[1] “International Samaritan“. International Samaritan, intsam.org.
[2] “IntSam Global 5K”. International Samaritan, runsignup.com.
Hyperlinks to third-party information are provided as a convenience.
Suggested Reading
Leadership Toledo: Inspiring Community Involvement
Leadership Toledo is an organization that connects individuals with the community, engaging and involving them with initiatives that make the Toledo region a great place to live, work, and enjoy.
An interview with Investment / Compliance Associate Bobby Adusumilli, who recently completed the 2022-2023 Signature Program with Leadership Toledo. This interview is part of our Stories of Giving & Achievement Series, highlighting community involvement efforts. If you are interested in learning more about Leadership Toledo, please visit their website.
Bobby, can you tell us about Leadership Toledo and their mission?
Leadership Toledo is an organization that connects individuals with the community, engaging and involving them with initiatives that make the Toledo region a great place to live, work, and enjoy. Their mission is driven by four goals:[1]
Lead - Become a more confident leader
Connect - Become more connected to your community
Grow - Grow stronger in self-awareness
Serve - Identify service that is meaningful to you
Leadership Toledo offers various programs for both students and adults focused on getting more involved in the community. Their Youth Leadership Toledo for high school sophomores as well as their Signature Program for adults involve day-long sessions throughout the year focusing on different community involvement and leadership topics around the Toledo-area. The Youth in Philanthropy Encouraging Excellence (YIPEE) for high school Juniors and Seniors as well as the Spark program for adults aim to inspire philanthropic action. Leadership Toledo also hosts a Youth Conference and a Community Leadership Series.[1]
How did you get involved with the Signature Program? What did you do throughout the year?
A lot of people in the Toledo-area have been involved with Leadership Toledo in some way. My sister as well as a couple of my friends were in Youth Leadership Toledo when they were in high school. Additionally, my colleagues Andrew Schaetzke and Rachel Keesey were part of the Signature Program in the past. Because they enjoyed the program so much and met many people through the program, they encouraged me to apply for the 2022-2023 class.
With nearly 50 people in the program, we met as a large group once a month from August to June, with each day focusing on a particular topic:
August: Meet & greet
September: Opening retreat
October: Project selection
November: SIMSOC - Simulated society
December: Servant leadership
January: Health & human services
February: Criminal justice
March: Education
April: History & regional development
May: Cultural arts
June: Closing retreat
Additionally, each person was part of a small group (4-6 people) that worked on a project with a local non-profit organization. In my case, five of us worked with the Cherry Street Mission Ministries to develop employment training and work opportunities for guests of the organization.
2022-2023 Leadership Toledo Signature Program Cohort at the Opening Retreat at Oak Openings Preserve Metropark. Source: Leadership Toledo.
Did you have a favorite program day?
One of the great things about the Signature Program is that each month has a different focus, so I learned about a wide variety of topics. Even though I grew up in the Toledo-area, I was surprised at how little I knew about the city’s history and all the interesting things going on today.
While there were a lot of great days, I probably most enjoyed the Education Day. That morning, eight of us toured the Toledo Pre-Medical and Health Science Academy, which is a Toledo Public Schools (TPS) high school designed in partnership with ProMedica to help prepare students for careers in a medical profession while still fulfilling their general education requirements. The school is new, but it was very evident that the students have already learned a lot about medical-related topics. Two underclassmen led us through the tour, and we were very impressed by their communication skills and knowledge. This school seems like a good education path to keep students engaged, learning, and moving along to careers that they are looking forward to.
We spent that afternoon at Rogers High School, where we heard a panel of superintendents speak about their daily lives, successes, and challenges of their jobs. Each superintendent serves a different community, so hearing the variety of challenges and the solutions was fascinating to me. We also learned more about Connecting Kids to Meals, which offers after school and summer programs to provide hot, nutritious meals at no cost to kids in low-income and underserved areas throughout the entire year. This day further confirmed to me that there are really great organizations in Toledo serving children and education.
2022-2023 Leadership Toledo Signature Program Cohort at the Criminal Justice Day. Source: Leadership Toledo.
What was your project? How did it go, and what was the outcome?
Cherry Street Mission Ministries (CSMM) is a downtown Toledo-based organization committed to delivering solutions that will reverse the cycle of poverty for people in our communities through providing meals, temporary housing, working development training, and employment opportunities.[2] In order to further enhance their workforce development training and employment opportunities, CSMM is looking to create social enterprise intervention (SEI) businesses for their guests. Their first SEI business - a food truck - is expected to go live this year. Cherry Street Mission Ministries asked our five-person Leadership Toledo team to help come up with the idea and business plan for their second SEI business.
Our team met every few weeks to work on this project. We first discussed potential ideas for the specific business. Once we decided on the business idea, we put together a 14-page business plan covering the products, services, training curriculum, equipment, target market, marketing, organizational structure, potential revenue, expenses, key metrics, and milestones. We presented our business plan to the CSMM team, which they seem very enthusiastic about and feel that this is an SEI business that they could sustain. I don’t want to spoil their plans, but stay tuned to Cherry Street Mission Ministries for their next SEI business within the next year or so!
Team for the Cherry Street Mission project. Source: Cherry Street Mission Ministries.
How can the community get involved with Leadership Toledo?
Leadership Toledo has a variety of events for people around Toledo to attend. Their Community Leadership Series spotlights exceptional leaders and organizations within the greater Toledo region. Additionally, each Fall, Leadership Toledo has an Annual Breakfast where you can meet the team, students, adults, and alumni of the programs to learn more about the organization. I think the team at Leadership Toledo - Anna, Arika, Danielle, Elizabeth, and Nicole - is really spectacular, and it’s amazing to me how well they run the Signature Program; you can reach out to them via the website if you would like to learn more about Leadership Toledo.
I am really grateful to have been part of the 2022-2023 Signature Program. My hope is that one person from the SJS Team is able to participate in the Signature Program each year as a way to further connect us with and support the Toledo community.
2022-2023 Leadership Toledo Signature Program Cohort at the Closing Retreat. Source: Leadership Toledo.
Important Disclosure Information & Sources:
[1] “Leadership Toledo“. Leadership Toledo, leadershiptoledo.org.
[2] “Our Mission“. Cherry Street Mission Ministries, cherrystreetmission.org.
Hyperlinks to third-party information are provided as a convenience.
Suggested Reading
Courageous Community Services: Promoting Healthy Lifestyles
The mission of Courageous Community Services is to provide meaningful, inclusive opportunities for individuals with disabilities and their families through advocacy, education, and engaging recreational experiences.
An interview with Kirk Ludwig, who is a Senior Advisor at SJS Investment Services as well as the Treasurer of the Board of Directors of Courageous Community Services (CCS). This interview is part of our Stories of Giving & Achievement Series, highlighting community involvement efforts. If you are interested in learning more about Courageous Community Services, please visit the CCS website or contact Kirk Ludwig.
Kirk, can you tell us about Courageous Community Services (CCS) and their mission?
Most people might know CCS by the former names of Camp Courageous or The Arc of Northwest Ohio. Through a merger between agencies, today the agency is known as Courageous Community Services (CCS). The mission of CCS is to promote healthy lifestyles and better quality of life for persons with developmental disabilities and their families by providing support, education, advocacy, socialization, and outdoor recreational experiences which foster inclusiveness and independence. Our campers have limited social and outdoor recreational activities as part of their normal routines. Camp is designed to deliver these experiences while providing life skills, advocacy, and respite for family members and caretakers!
Source: “A Day in the Life of a Camper“. Courageous Community Services, ccsohio.org.
What is your involvement with Courageous Community Services? How did you originally get involved / what do you do within the organization?
Currently, I serve on the Executive Board as Treasurer as well as chair of the Finance Committee. Additionally, I’m on the Strategic Planning and Facilities Committees. 2023 is my 12th consecutive year participating on the board and second round as an active board member.
Many years ago, I coached Special Olympics, through which I met several families who were members of the Arc of Northwest Ohio Board. At the time, I couldn’t fully comprehend the challenges that the athletes and their families dealt with on a daily basis. It didn’t take long to understand the struggles and needs that these families faced. It was very easy for me to want to get involved in a way that advocated for a better way of life. One that provided respite for the caregivers as well as fun social interactions and outdoor activities for our campers.
When the Arc and Camp Courageous merged, I was very excited about the opportunities that the camp experience would have for the community that we serve. Camp delivers experiences that so many people take for granted. Spending time outside in a wooded park-like setting, playing games and laughing with other campers and counselors, swimming or wading in the zero-depth entry pool, participating in arts and crafts, gardening, and so many other camp activities.
Source: “Peer Buddies“. Courageous Community Services, ccsohio.org.
What is your proudest moment or biggest accomplishment since you’ve been involved?
One of the major challenges for CCS is consistent annual funding. For many years, the agency received funding support from the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, but the funding ended several years ago. Approximately 95% of the campers use Medicaid waivers to pay for camp, which only covers a fraction of the total cost that it takes to operate the agency and maintain the pool and campus. The shortfall is typically covered by grant writing, fundraisers, and private donations.
Recognizing the challenging budget and the desperate need to repair and upgrade the 50-year-old camp facilities, the agency was in need of raising capital. CCS owned about 84 acres of wooded property adjacent to the Oak Openings Preserve Metropark, which is well known in the park district community because of the diverse number of species that occupy the land.[1] With this in mind, we received the assistance of Metroparks Toledo to explore the unused property of CCS. They discovered populations of at least 15 plant species listed as endangered, threatened, or potentially threatened in Ohio.[2] This qualified the property for conservation purposes, and allowed Metroparks Toledo to be eligible for a grant to purchase about 64 acres of the CCS property.[2]
The timing was (accidentally) perfect! The property sale closed near the beginning of the pandemic. Camp was closed for 2020, a limited hybrid version occurred in 2021, and there was a slower “back-to-normal” opening for 2022. During the down time, CCS was able to use some of the proceeds from the sale to do the necessary upgrades to the dining hall as well as the boys and girls cabins. Additionally, we were able to build a new administration building, add a new walk-out viewing terrace, repair major cracks in the pool, and add a sensory-friendly walkway.
More importantly, the proceeds provided the necessary support to keep camp operating with all the new and improved grounds. My involvement in assisting with the transaction has been my biggest accomplishment to this point, but I hope my proudest moment is yet to come. There are endless joyful stories from our campers and their wonderful experiences, which makes all the time and energy worthwhile!
Source: “Agreement Will Preserve Natural Area While Enhancing Services for People With Disabilities“. Metroparks Toledo, 18-Aug-2020, metroparkstoledo.com.
How can the community get involved with CCS?
According to the CDC, approximately 1 in 6 individuals between the ages of 3 and 17 lives with one or more developmental disabilities.[3] Though this is a staggering percentage of the population, it doesn’t include the family members and caregivers also impacted by the individual with the disability. There is a tremendous need in our area for respite services as well as opportunities for socialization and outdoor activities for many of the members of our community.
People can help CCS by volunteering their time by participating in social walks, joining in camp clean-up days, or sharing their knowledge and skills serving in a board position. Making introductions to other agencies with similar missions is also helpful. And of course, all financial support is greatly needed and appreciated.
CCS is providing so many exciting opportunities for hundreds of campers and their families, but there is so much more to do. We’ve been very fortunate and grateful to maintain and improve camp during these extremely difficult times, but now it’s time to thrive and take camp to the next level!
Source: “Advocacy“. Courageous Community Services, ccsohio.org.
Important Disclosure Information & Sources:
[1] “Oak Openings“. Metroparks Toledo, metroparkstoledo.com.
[2] “Agreement Will Preserve Natural Area While Enhancing Services for People With Disabilities“. Metroparks Toledo, 18-Aug-2020, metroparkstoledo.com.
[3] “Health Needs and Use of Services Among Children with Developmental Disabilities“. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cdc.gov.
Hyperlinks to third-party information are provided as a convenience.
Suggested Reading
Metroparks Toledo: Redefining Our Region
Further expansion, connection, and exceptional maintenance of existing Metroparks will continue to elevate our region in the eyes of the world and in the hearts of those who call Toledo home.
An interview with Scott Savage, who is Founder & CEO of SJS Investment Services as well as the President of the Board of Park Commissioners of Metroparks Toledo. This interview is part of our Stories of Giving & Achievement Series, highlighting organizations doing great work in the community.
Scott, how did you get involved with the Metroparks Toledo?
That answer will take us back over 20 years. That’s when the Metroparks Board asked me, along with former Toledo Fire Chief-turned-Mayor Mike Bell, to chair a very visionary 10-year land levy with one goal: fund the expansion of Metroparks Toledo. Built into that expansion was an acquisition of ecologically critical land. As a person who treasures and appreciates the ecological uniqueness of this part of the world, I was all in. The levy went through, and that land today is primarily part of what is known as the Oak Openings Corridor.
Source: “Oak Openings Preserve Metropark”. Metroparks Toledo, metroparkstoledo.com.
It must have been amazing to achieve that goal. What happened next?
It was, and I can tell you, after that, I was hooked on how this kind of work could make an impact on the people, the economy, and of course, wildlife. Most people don’t realize that this part of Northwest Ohio is unlike anywhere else in the world. After this one project, I felt called to help restore this vital ecology, and I realized it could happen while providing parks the community can enjoy. It didn’t have to be one or the other.
A few years later in 2007, Probate Judge Jack Puffenberger appointed me to join the three-person governing board responsible for overseeing Metroparks Toledo. I was both honored and very eager to do whatever I could to grow this park system. As part of that early work, we established the Mission of Metroparks Toledo, which fifteen years later is the same: to preserve and protect our natural resources for the benefit and enjoyment of all citizens in Lucas County and, I’ll add, the roughly seven million visitors we expect in 2022 alone.
Source: “Providence River Bluff Trail”. Metroparks Toledo, metroparkstoledo.com.
That vision must have been inspiring to the Metroparks team.
It was. And lofty. The park system is nothing like it is today. I’d say in 2007, Metroparks Toledo was an excellent park system, but it was mostly a suburban park system with only one of the handful of parks in operation in the actual City of Toledo. That would be Swan Creek Preserve Metropark which is a park in the district today.
So did you aim to bring more parks to the City of Toledo?
The short answer to that is, yes. But the Park Commissioners and the Team at Metroparks Toledo decided to do something even more ambitious. We decided a worthy vision would be to make sure every citizen in Lucas County would live within five miles of a Metropark.
That was lofty. At that time I bet most of the city’s residents were a long drive from a Metropark.
You’re right. But I am happy to report that our vision is a reality. Today, every citizen of Lucas County lives within five miles of a Metropark, making it easier for all people to access the physical and mental health benefits parks provide. In the process, we have brought the limelight to our region by winning the 2020 National Gold Medal Award in the large district category for excellence in parks and recreation management, the most prestigious honor in the parks and recreation industry.[1] I believe we can honestly say Toledo has the best parks in America.
That is impressive, and I’m sure getting to #1 in America was no easy feat.
Well, there are a lot of steps between any vision and its achievement, and plenty of stories. Maybe in future blogs, we can talk about some of them. I will say here that it has been gratifying to help transform the place we call home and help it gain the attention it deserves as a renaissance city, an ecologically important region, and a place for diverse people and families to live and thrive.
I have a feeling from your enthusiasm, you’re not done.
You’re right, and I’ll go even further to say, the best is yet to come! Yes, you may have read about it in the paper or online or seen it on the news. It’s the most ambitious project-to-date - The Glass City Riverwalk - and it is already redefining our region even more in the eyes of the world. Phase one is open and operating with more phases in construction now. The $200 million dollar project will create 300 new acres of connected green space on the East and West sides of the Maumee River, Downtown Toledo, and the Glass City Riverwalk. It will restore ecologically-sensitive habitats, and provide recreation for everyone. Studies have shown this project will drive more than $2 billion in economic impact.[2] For a $200 million price tag to return $2 billion, I’d say that’s a very good financial investment, not to mention we get a beautiful park to enjoy!
Source: “The Glass City Riverwalk”. Metroparks Toledo, metroparkstoledo.com.
At the core of it, all this work has been an investment, hasn’t it?
Yes, it has. And we aren’t done. Already in the works is an increased expansion and more connections between parks, further elevating our reputation as a premier place to live and work. The investment of time, knowledge, funds, and more from all who are involved is how this is happening. And in my experience, we are all thrilled to give because, quite simply, we all love this place or we wouldn’t be here. Why not do everything we can to make our region even better for the people here today and for the generations of the future? I’m humbled and feel so blessed to have been a part of this thing we call Metroparks Toledo for the last fifteen-plus years.
Important Disclosure Information & Sources:
[1] “Metroparks Receives National Gold Medal Award“. Metroparks Toledo, 28-Oct-2020, metroparkstoledo.com.
[2] “Glass City Riverwalk”. Metroparks Toledo, glasscityriverwalk.com.
Hyperlinks to third-party information are provided as a convenience.
Suggested Reading
Stories Of Giving & Achievement: The Series
These are stories of achievement that can only come through caring enough about you, your communities, and the world to give our time, financial support, our passion to offer a helping hand to those in their time of need.
When we say, “You come first. All the time. Every time,” we certainly mean you, the individual. But we also mean you, the community. Yes, SJS Investment Services has had a nearly three-decade-long track record of putting the communities where you live first, whether that be Toledo, Ohio; Phoenix, Arizona; Chicago, Illinois, or elsewhere in the U.S. and even the world.
“I believe that the measure of any community is how that community walks hand-in-hand with the most vulnerable among us. And that positive results come by doing the hard things,” says SJS Founder & CEO Scott Savage.
Candidly, Scott has never wanted to talk publicly about our giving; but, he does agree that sharing with you all the good news, and all the impact our efforts are making, is a positive that can fuel more progress. Perhaps even inspire others to give more to great causes.
So introducing, “Stories of Giving & Achievement: The Series.” We promise that within these articles in our upcoming Quarterly Outlooks and blog posts on our website, we will temper the self-serving photos of us and stories where we give ourselves pats on the back. That’s not our style. What you will see are stories of achievement that can only come through caring enough about you, your communities, and the world to give our time, financial support, our passion to offer a helping hand to those in their time of need.
Important Disclosure Information:
Advisory services are provided by SJS Investment Services, a registered investment advisor (RIA) with the SEC. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
Suggested Reading
'Tis The Season: 7 Tips To Help Your Favorite Nonprofit Raise More Money
For nonprofits, less than 50% of donations come from the previous year’s donors. Here are 7 ways to potentially inspire more giving to your favorite nonprofit.
By SJS Founder & CEO Scott Savage.
Recently, I was at a nonprofit board meeting, and the new Executive Director explained that she is focusing on increasing annual giving and building a large base of people who support the nonprofit’s mission every year. We started discussing the reasons why nonprofits don’t inspire consistent annual donations from the same donors, as well as potential strategies to increase donations. Little did she know that just the night before, I had an identical conversation with the leadership of another nonprofit client!
Predictable donations allow nonprofits to better plan operating budgets, create more reliable spending policies, and focus more on advancing their missions. The more that nonprofits have to worry about donations, the less time they may have to fulfill their missions; this also can make nonprofit donations less effective, creating a negative reinforcement cycle.
For nonprofits, less than 50% of donations come from the previous year’s donors.[1] If donors were motivated to give last year, why wouldn’t they want to give to the same nonprofit this year? We believe there are three primary reasons:[2][3]
They weren’t personally thanked in a meaningful way.
They weren’t personally asked to donate again.
They don’t know whether their donations made an actual difference.
So how can nonprofits inspire donors to give more frequently?
We as human beings make most decisions based on emotion. We choose with our hearts and justify with our minds. When we consider donating, we try to find the feeling that makes us pause and get a lump in our throats because the nonprofit’s mission and story resonate so closely with us. When a story emotionally affects us in a way that’s hard to put to words, yet we want to help, then the nonprofit has an opportunity to really connect with potential donors. If the nonprofit has good processes in place to collaborate with these donors, then this can increase the chances of more consistent donations. It tends to be easier to motivate existing donors to keep donating than to inspire new donors.
Here are 7 ways to potentially inspire more giving to your favorite nonprofit:
Tell More Stories
Tell stories that resonate emotionally with donors first, then back up these stories with critical and relevant statistics. Heart first, then head.
Use Visuals To Evidence Impact
So many of us skim words, but we love pictures (hence the adage that they are worth 1000 words!). Illustrate mission impact visually for a lasting impression.
Express Gratitude - Often
Personally thank donors - and not via email or text. In-person (or virtual) conversations or phone calls are the most effective ways. Handwritten notes are also highly effective (given that they are so rare). If you must email, be sure it’s custom and individualized.
Provide More Opportunities For Engagement
Did you know that a volunteer donates up to 10x more than a non-volunteer?[4] It makes sense of course - the more engaged we are in a nonprofit’s mission, the more loyal we are to it.
Public Recognition
If you ask donors if they want recognition for their gifts, most will decline; it’s human nature. But we know that donors are motivated to give when they see their friends, peers, or others doing great things. Leverage newsletters, luncheons, and social media as much as you can.
Don’t Forget To ASK!
It’s amazing how often nonprofits “leave money on the table” by not cultivating and soliciting gifts. It should be part of the daily routine for leadership, no matter how big or small the organization.
And On That Note… Ask For Automatic Donations!
Invest in the technology that ensures recurring gifts. Instead of asking for $120, you could ask for $10 per month which will renew year-after-year - and will also give 11 more occasions to say thank you and illustrate impact!
All of the above is easy to say, hard to do. In my experience, seeking the expertise of an experienced nonprofit consultant is worth its weight in gold. They can make sure your organization has the right people doing the right things at the right time to build the critical mass of annual donors who are your key to the future and to further cement your legacy.
We at SJS try to help nonprofits accomplish their missions, helping with strategy, spending, and investment policies. If you want to talk about your favorite nonprofit, we would love to serve you as well.
Important Disclosure Information and Sources:
[1] “4 Surprising Donor Retention Statistics.“ Simone O’Connor, 31-Jan-2020, causevox.com.
[2] “Why Donors Don’t Give Second Gifts (And How You Can Improve Your Chances).“ Tina Jepson, causevox.com.
[3] “Fundraising Solutions.“ Aly Sterling, alysterling.com.
[4] “How to Measure Volunteer Impact.“ George Weiner, wholewhale.com.
Advisory services are provided by SJS Investment Services, a registered investment advisor with the SEC. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. SJS Investment Services does not provide legal or tax advice. Please consult your legal or tax professionals for specific advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only.
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Suggested Reading
Non-Profits – Are You Planning for the Next 100 Years?
Responsible governance is less about the newest trends in leadership and investing, and more about being responsible and calm no matter what markets do.
By SJS President Kevin Kelly, CFA
Despite all the complicated rhetoric about business and finance and strategy and methods, by doing the basics as a finance chair or board of directors, you stand a good chance of creating an endowment that lasts many years – perhaps forever.
The fact is that responsible governance is less about the newest trends in leadership and investing, and more about being responsible and calm no matter what the markets are doing.
We’ve been guiding and advising non-profits for decades through up and down market cycles, and experience tells us that these things work:
Develop a long-term plan and stick to your investment strategy.
We can help. Many institutions have turned to us for guidance, and we can share what we believe are the best strategies, and help you model those strategies within your organization. Then we do what we do best – which is keeping you focused during markets ups and downs.
Institutionalize the vision and the plan.
You know there will be investment committee changes and asset reallocation required. There will be spending policy changes and leadership turnover. Every change need not be a new direction, if you make the vision and the plan the guiding force of the organization.
Surround yourself with experience.
You don’t have to know everything. You just have to know people who know a lot about the different aspects of your responsibilities. When you bring all those people together, you tend to set yourself and your organization up for success. We are often part of that team. Call us, and we’ll share with you everything we know. We’ll also recommend others who are just as knowledgeable and giving.
You probably guessed that your role is not a solo act – it is a team sport.
By building a great team, you stand the best chance of keeping your cause funded for decades – if not centuries – to come.