By Susan True & Hilary Bryant
As the year draws to a close, you may feel like we do, grateful to be part of this community and wanting to give back. Here at Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, we can help make your year-end giving joyful and easy.
A trusted center for giving for 42 years, we’re proud to be a place where charitable giving becomes local, personal, and meaningful.
Local Solutions
We work closely with effective nonprofits and leaders to build an in-depth understanding of the issues and resources that shape our community. We can connect you to opportunities to make a difference in areas you care most about.
Gifts to our Greatest Needs Fund and the Rise Together Fund for Racial Equity help nonprofits solving critical challenges. Recent grants have supported essential needs for farmworkers, built soccer fields so kids have safe places to play, and increased access to treatment and prevention for opioid addiction.
When many donors come together, they can make a bigger impact than they could on their own.
Giving that Works for You
For many, giving to a favorite nonprofit is as easy as writing a check or making an online donation.
A popular option is starting a donor-advised fund — a flexible way to make your giving simple and efficient. You can make a tax-deductible donation and support nonprofits you love now, or over time. We take care of the paperwork so you can focus on the joy of giving.
We can also help you turn complex assets into tax-smart gifts. You can give cash, stocks, property, retirement funds, insurance — or we can advise on other assets you may be able to give.
As you plan your giving and are age 70 ½ or older and have an IRA, consider using your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) for charitable giving. These charitable IRA “rollovers” are tax-free and can benefit eligible charities.
You can use your RMD to contribute to any of our community funds or we can help you set up a new fund that benefits a cause you care about.
Community Wins
Our hands-on, personal approach to philanthropy empowers you to show generosity in ways meaningful to you.
Regardless of the gift size, we’re able to recommend a giving strategy and with our deep knowledge and love of Santa Cruz County, help you give with confidence–making a difference today and for many years to come.
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Susan True is the CEO of Community Foundation Santa Cruz County and Hilary Bryant is director of donor services. See https://cfscc.org/ or call 831-662-2000.
TOP PHOTO: From left: Raymon Cancino, CEO, Community Bridges; Susan True, CEO, Community Foundation Santa Cruz County; MariaElena De La Garza, executive director, Community Action Board & Foundation trustee; Rob Allen, estate planning attorney & foundation trustee; Diane Syrcle, chief mission officer, Hospice Santa Cruz County; Ruby Vasquez, PVUSD educator & founder of Estrellas de Esperanza. • Photo Credit: Jeremy Lezin