Donations and Endowment Gifts

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As a nonprofit charitable organization, Listening Ear relies on a wide range of supporters to meet its mission.   Listening Ear recently established three endowment funds within the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation. The interest earned on the invested fund principal will provide a permanent source of added revenue for each program.  (Click on Tax Savings or Estate Planning for more information about the benefits of contributing to a community foundation.)

In 2000, a Child Sexual Abuse Treatment endowment fund was created to preserve and enhance Listening Ear’s Child Sexual Abuse Treatment Program.  The program serves children ages 3 to 17, free of charge, who have been victims of sexual abuse, molestation or incest.  A therapy group is also offered for women who were molested as children.  A community led fund drive called "Opportunity to Heal" has helped to grow the fund. 
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In 2004, a Crisis Center endowment fund was established to provide a lasting source of income to help support the organization’s anchor program – providing information, referral and crisis line services 24 hours every day of the year since 1969.  Mental health professionals and technicians help explore options and solutions to problems and offer care and support to over 20,000 callers each year when there is no where else to turn.  A campaign called “Always There” is underway to build the fund to at least $1,500,000 by 2010.

In 2005, a new Endowment Fund called Consumers Needs and Dreams was created. Income from this endowed fund will help consumers meet their personal needs or achieve their goals and dreams for the future – whether it is an adult with disabilities starting their own micro-enterprise business, a young adult affected by homelessness getting their own apartment or a foster child going on to college.

Donate Now using your credit card (COMING SOON!). 

Or, print a Donation Form if you would rather mail a check. 
The form and check should be mailed to:
Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation
PO Box 1283
113 W. Broadway
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48804-1283

 

Tax Savings

There are also important tax incentives for donors. Michigan law offers a State Tax Credit to Michigan taxpayers that contribute to a community foundation endowment fund. Taxpayers may reduce their Michigan income tax or Single Business Tax liability by a credit of 50% of the amount contributed. This credit is subject to a maximum credit of:
· $100 for an individual filing singly (based on a $200 contribution),
· $200 for a married couple filing jointly (based on a $400 contribution),
· $5,000, or, 10% of tax liability before claiming any credits, whichever is less, for a resident estate or trust (based on a $10,000 contribution), or, $5,000 or 5% of tax liability before claiming any credits, whichever is less, for taxpayers filing Michigan Single Business Tax returns (based on a $10,000 contribution).

This credit is in addition to those available to Michigan colleges and universities, public libraries, public broadcasting stations and homeless programs. Your donation continues to be deductible as a charitable gift for federal income tax purposes under certain conditions.

For questions regarding State Tax Credit, contact your accountant or call the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation at (989) 773-7322.

Estate Planning

There are many options for creating a family legacy through estate planning – by making regular payments or a planned gift, donating stocks or property, and other means. You can also remember Listening Ear in your will or life insurance policy. For legal purposes, our name is Crisis Center Inc. d.b.a. Listening Ear. For further information, contact Al Kaufmann, Fund Development Manager at (989) 773-6904, Ext. 235.