No. 74

Serving all of Kent County

since 1922 Winter 2017

Jim and Kathy Hackett2017 Chaille Award for Community Philanthropy Recipients

facebook.com/GRCommFound

@GRCommFound

@grcommfound

Board of Trustees

Carlos Sanchez (Chair)

Christina L. Keller (Vice Chair)

Laurie Finney Beard (Immediate Past Chair)

Paul M. KeepThomas G. KyrosEmily J. LoeksMadiera BooydeGraaffRic RoaneMichael G. RosloniecAmy RuisAna Ramirez-Saenz

About the CoverJim and Kathy Hackett are recipients of our 2017 Chaille Award for Community Philanthropy.

Winter 2017 / Volume No. 74

3 Metz Legacy Society Profile: Teresa Thome 4-5 Our Donors are Worth Celebrating 6-7 Nonprofit Leaders Build Capacity and Relationships Through Holistic Learning Cohort 7 Great New Grant Prevents Eviction 8 Older Adults Gather to Define Their Encore 9 This & That: Holiday Hours and Year-end Gifts, Diversity Visionary Award, New VPs of Program and Community Investment 10 As Year-end Approaches, Consider a Gift of Stock 11 The Value of Age 12 Metz Legacy Society Members 14 Staying Compliant on Charitable Contributions

Senior Leadership Team

Diana R. SiegerPresident

Laurie CraftVice President, Community Investment

Ashley René Lee Vice President, PR & Marketing

Kate Luckert SchmidVice President, Program

Stan Vander Roest Chief Financial Officer

Marilyn W. Zack Vice President, Development

Tel: 616.454.1751, Fax: 616.454.6455Email: grfound@grfoundation.orgWebsite: grfoundation.org

Current is a quarterly publication of Grand Rapids Community Foundation ©2017 Contributing writers: Ashley René Lee, Teresa Thome, Tom Rademacher, Diana R. Sieger and Steven Struck Graphic Design: James Falk Illustration: Yolanda Gonzalez Photography: Bryan Esler, Keepsake Studios and Anna YoungCopyeditor: Joan Huyser-Honig

To learn more about Metz Legacy Society, please contact Marilyn or Jenine at 616.454.1751.

Marilyn Zack Jenine Torres

Teresa Thome is an accomplished performer, writer and Emmy award-winning producer. She and her husband, Fred Stella, hold a Donor Advised Fund at Grand Rapids Community Foundation. Teresa demonstrates what it means to live generously and creatively. We are pleased to share highlights from her keynote address at our 2017 Metz Legacy Society Luncheon, where she reflected on the meaning of legacy.

W hat is legacy? I have experienced more angst in the past few months trying to answer that question than I

ever experienced as a 17-year-old girl waiting to be asked to the prom, by Joe Stone. (Which, by the way, he never did. But I’m not bitter. Okay, maybe a little.)

After months of wrestling, I finally realized it was because legacy didn’t have a beginning for me. It began with my dad and, because of him, it’s always been a part of me. It’s as though I absorbed legacy as a value in my life before I even understood what it was.

To begin, let me explain to you who my father was. By day, my pops was a sometime foreman, all-the-time line worker at Kelvinator. By night, he was the joke-telling manager, maitre d’ of one of Grand Rapids’ finest family restaurants, Granny’s Kitchen. Frequent diners knew him as “Grandpa Bob.”

I can’t tell you how many people said to me, “Your dad was Grandpa Bob? I loved your dad. He always made me laugh.” Even President Ford, who loved Granny’s, had nice things to say about him! My dad would beam every time his name and Gerald Ford’s were mentioned in the same breath.

Now the one thing my father wasn’t, was a volunteer. Working two jobs—one 25 to 30 hours a week, one 40 hours— to help support and raise four kids didn’t leave time for other activities. But my dad was the guy who would give you the shirt off his back (or the coat off my mother’s back, really).

I remember one time him wanting to give one of my mom’s jackets to a cashier at Meijer. My mom, who was generous in her own way, had four winter jackets. My dad couldn’t understand why anyone needed four jackets. It was a bone of contention for what seemed like forever that she wouldn’t part with one of them. “Dammit, Bob,” (seemingly her favorite name for him)she’d say. “You’re not giving away one of my good jackets!”

When my dad got his paycheck, he’d turn a bunch of it in to nickels, dimes and quarters and give the rest to my mom. He

Metz Legacy Society Profile

Teresa ThomeWhat is Legacy: Definin Legacy from Generation to Generation

used to say he was “collecting change.” He never used this money for himself, but instead bought things like jackets for retail workers struggling to make ends meet, which is what he ended up doing for the cashier at Meijer.

My dad wasn’t a traditional philanthropist or a lifelong volunteer, but he understood service. By watching my dad be selfless over and over again, I learned the value of a “do unto others” way of life.

Just as my dad valued giving, my husband, Fred, and I have held a lifelong dream of being able to have a positive impact

through philanthropy. Inspired by my father's generosity in life and in death, we were able to fulfill this vision with the passing of my mother-in-law, N. Jene Stella. Our fund at Grand Rapids Community Foundation will continue to grow slowly and steadily until our passing, when we plan to give more.

All my life, legacy has been a powerful motivator that knew no name until I was asked to write about this topic. I’m a different person than I was three months ago because I understand more fully the gift that my dad

gave to me. I’m grateful to now understand that part of him and that part of me. Don’t we go through life trying to understand its meaning? That can be such an angst-inducing question, can’t it? Maybe life’s meaning is just simply legacy.

Just the other day, while leading service for a meditation group, I was reading from the writings of Parmahansa Yogananda, an Indian saint, about spiritualizing business. I had an aha moment reading the last paragraph:

As the vital rays of the sun nurture all, so should you spread rays of hope in the hearts of the poor and the forsaken, kindle courage in the hearts of the despondent, and light a new strength in the hearts of those who think that they are failures. When you become filled with the joy of making others happy by giving them kindness and peace… your life is a success.

That’s what I learned from my dad. Thank you, Dad.

Bob and Teresa Thome, circa 1978

T.T.

4

Our Donors are Worth CelebratingTHANKING OUR SUPPORTERS AT OUR ANNUAL PARTY

1. Laurie Beard and Jeremy Beard 2. Patricia Newby, Jim Hackett, Kathy Hackett and James Newby 3. Brian VanEe, Erica Curry VanEe, Jeff Hill and Laura Hill 4. Anna Rosloniec, Mike Rosloniec, Christina Rosloniec and Carlos Sanchez 5. Minnie Morey, Deb Minton, Alice Kennedy and Terri Osborne 6. Marilyn Elder and Nichole Visser 7. Frank Grant and Kristian Grant 8. Jordan Gougeon, Linsey Gleason, Amy Ruis, Steve Ruis, Emily VerWys, Ben VerWys and Steve Steketee 9. Dan Oumedian, Maria Oumedian, Tim Kragt, Tricia Kragt, Dan Oumedian and Sue Oumedian with Armen Oumedian 10. De'Andreah Hollowell, Jim Hackett and Destanie Curtis 11. Martin Timkovich, Louise Timkovich, Bonnie Hunter and Duke Morehouse 12. Brian Cloyd, Deb Mankoff, Dan Mankoff, Carlos Sanchez and Lynne Pope 13. Beth O'Shaughnessy and Terry Rathbun 14. Ben Oliver, Anel Guel, Isabel Garcia and Victor Ramirez 15. Arv Tap, Jonse Young and Pearl Tap

4.

7.

10.

13. 14.

11.

8.

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1. 2. 3.

6.

9.

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On November 21, Grand Rapids Community Foundation welcomed nearly 450 donors, volunteers, sponsors and friends to Fox Ford Mazda for our annual donor party. Held just two days before Thanksgiving, the timing could not have been more perfect to express thanks to Community Foundation supporters. The highlight of the event was presenting the 2017 Chaille Award for Community Philanthropy to Jim and Kathy Hackett.

Each year the Chaille Award honors a special donor or donor couple who exemplify the spirit of Jack Chaille.

Recipients demonstrate long-term support for the Community Foundation and its work, have significant community involvement and show a passion for community philanthropy.

Jim and Kathy are passionate and intentional philanthropists. Their impact has been felt throughout our community in so many ways. They have a shared vision of how the world works, and they invest time and energy to figure out solutions that will make a difference.

Jim and Kathy made their first gift to the Community Foundation 25 years ago. Since then, they have supported many Community Foundation funds, such as the AIDS Fund, the Fund for Community Good, the African American Heritage Fund, the Cascade Community Foundation Fund and Challenge Scholars. In 2008 they established the Hackett Family Scholarship Fund, which is most near and dear to their hearts. Through this unique scholarship, they support women of color who may not be eligible or considered for other scholarships. Yet despite less than perfect academic scores, these women have demonstrated a strong desire to continue their education.

The Hacketts are extremely involved in selecting and investing—personally and financially—in these young women’s success. To date, 27 women have received scholarships through the fund, many for multiple years.

During the celebration, Jim and Kathy received a Pewabic tile designed and crafted especially for the Community Foundation. The words around the tile read, “Grand Rapids where life is good.” Each corner has a community symbol: an apple for Kent County’s agricultural heritage; a representation of the Calder for the arts and core city; a chair for the furniture industry; and a beehive to represent industry, work and cooperation.

To see a video celebrating Jim and Kathy’s commitment to community philanthropy, please visit www.vimeo.com/grcommfound.

Congratulations to Jim and Kathy Hackett

OUR SPONSORS

PLATINUM

Ford Motor Company

Northern Trust

Steelcase

SILVER

First National Bank of Michigan

Miller Johnson

Old National Bank

Plante Moran

PNC

Rhoades McKee PC

Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge

Varnum LLP

Warner Norcross & Judd LLP

Worksighted

Jim and Kathy Hackett with Diana Sieger

B.E.A.R.L.

66

V ictor “Governor Slugwell” Williams said hip hop saved his life. He vividly remembers standing on the corner of Franklin Street and Fuller Avenue in 1985, when a Jeep with a booming sound system

drove by playing Whodini’s “5 Minutes of Funk.” His life was changed forever.

While many in Victor’s circle turned to a life of drugs, he turned to hip hop. At age 17, Victor became one of the first Grand Rapids hip hop artists to get a record deal. He moved to New York, toured across the country and fully immersed himself in what he calls “true” hip hop culture. It celebrates the art forms of DJing, emceeing, break dancing and graffiti, while promoting positive messages of empowerment and knowledge of self.

When Victor returned to Grand Rapids, he decided his life’s work would be to educate the community about the true essence of hip hop culture. He created the Grand Rapids Hip Hop Coalition and partnered with Wizdom Selah to found The Love Movement (The Official HipHop Non Profit). The organization focuses on educating youth through its Hip Hop Literacy Project, which includes a weekend program, summer camp, in-school programs such as Grand Rapids Public School’s LOOP, and other community efforts.

“We are hip hop beyond music. We practice the fifth element of hip hop, which is knowledge of self. We teach kids—primarily blacks and Latinos—about themselves, because this is the knowledge and the information that they don’t get anywhere else,” Victor said.

Nikeidra Debarge, a mother of four, had many sleepless nights thinking about the stories she’d encountered through her work at Wedgwood Christian Services. She was deeply troubled for young people who had aged out of foster care and had no place to go. She and Alice Vasser rented a home formerly used to house refugees and started New Destiny Pathways. They began providing

safe, affordable housing and teaching life skills to young women transitioning out of foster care.

“We try to walk alongside them, because we realize that 18 or 17 is not a magical number for adulthood. We provide a continuum of services for young women leaving a foster home or residential facility,” Nikeidra said.

Victor and Nikeidra were called to their work out of passion, personal conviction and a need to serve. Another thing they share in common is that they, along with other nonprofit founders of color in West Michigan, started out with limited training, funding and networks.

Grand Rapids Community Foundation recognized this trend among small local nonprofits, particularly those led by people of color. Many were doing important work but missing out on opportunities because they lacked resources and information. Recognizing the important work these organizations have been called to do throughout Kent County, the Community Foundation

began partnering with them to build capacity for long-term sustainability and success.

The Community Foundation approached Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University, which happened to be exploring a cohort model to assist organizations through a holistic approach. Jamiel Robinson, founder and CEO of Grand Rapids Area Black Businesses, and Jonathan Jelks, entrepreneur and co-founder of The Midwest Tech Project, helped the Community Foundation select participants for a six-month Leadership Learning Cohort pilot program.

Last spring, Victor, Nikeidra and five other local nonprofit leaders of color began monthly two-hour sessions designed around a

sustainability model introduced by The Foraker Group in Alaska. The model includes four lenses with which to understand an organization: focus, right people, partnerships and unrestricted funds. Arranging the cohort around this model allowed the Johnson Center to address key components for participating organizations to thrive.

The Johnson Center also offered each participant three individual coaching sessions and a free workshop on basic grant writing or working with a board.

“The cohort participants were grassroots organizations, many of them having incredible impact in the community. But they don’t have the brand recognition of larger organizations, so people don’t see their impact,” said Tamela Spicer, Johnson Center program manager for nonprofit services.

The participants included:• Christine Mwangi, Be a Rose • Dionna Brown, Frontline Recovery Organization• Chris Sain Jr., Grand C.I.T.Y. Sports• Lakeshia Gilbert, HOAP (Helping Our Adolescence Prosper)• David Gholston, Kingdom Minded Ministries • Victor Williams Sr., The Love Movement

(Official HipHop Non- Profit)• Nikeidra Debarge, New Destiny Pathways

Non-Profit Leaders Build Capacity & Relationships through Holistic Learning Cohort

“We are hip hip beyond music. We practice the fifth element of hip hop, which is knowledge of self. We teach kids—primarily blacks and Latinos—about themselves

because this is the knowledge and the information that they

don’t get anywhere else.”

L-R: Nikeidra Debarge and Alice Vasser

City of Grand Rapids: $150,000

Purpose: The City of Grand Rapids will use the grant to staff an eviction prevention program in 61st District Court. Staff will give pre-court and onsite help, so tenants can access funds when emergencies disrupt their normal ability to pay rent. This will reduce the number of evictions in Grand Rapids, improve housing stability, and prevent the cascading, negative effects of eviction. The three-year pilot will run through November 30, 2020. The Community Foundation will provide $150,000 over three years.

Why it matters: Affordable housing is increasingly difficult to find in Grand Rapids’ current real estate market. Preventing evictions will keep individuals and families in affordable homes and will cost less than providing emergency shelter, transitional housing or re-housing services.

The program will help tenants avoid eviction for non-payment of rent and avoid an eviction judgement.

The approach will provide a win-win resolution. Landlords receive payment for back rent and tenants stay housed without damaging their credit ratings. The project is a partnership with Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and The Salvation Army.

Janean Couch, Community Foundation program officer, said the program aligns with our focus on equity. “We see great value in the eviction prevention program and the unique opportunity it provides to better align resources for those most marginalized in our community. By preventing evictions, this program will decrease the use of our emergency response system and lessen the effects eviction can have on a family’s future,” she said.

GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECENTLY APPROVED A THREE-YEAR GRANT TOTALING $150,000. IT IS PART OF A UNIQUE COLLABORATION TO PREVENT EVICTION.

Great New Grant Prevents Eviction

For Nikeidra and New Destiny Pathways, the cohort has changed the way they approach fundraising, which had been a struggle. “One thing I took with me was that when we’re asking for donations and support, it’s not about us as much as it is about asking people to come alongside our program and our vision. We put it on them to help what we’re doing in the community. I’m not begging them for anything for me, but for our organization,” Nikeidra said.

Though Victor valued learning how to effectively run The Love Movement, he said connecting with cohort participants was most fulfilling. “It was enriching to be able to bounce ideas off other leaders and learn their stories. That was, to me, the most powerful piece, because every month we would come and sit there and build with one another. We learned from struggles that each nonprofit was going through.”

Tamela said that fostering such connections is a goal of cohort models. “We know that strong nonprofits need good partnerships. In learning about each other’s organizations, participants found potential opportunities for strategic partnerships.”

Armed with new knowledge and relationships, the future looks bright for Nikeidra and Victor.

New Destiny Pathways is in the process of rebranding and expanding services to help more young women. They recently opened a second home, secured more property and are looking for partners to help them build.

The Love Movement is expanding its Hip Hop Literacy Project to include a book club for third through sixth graders and making plans to commemorate the 45th anniversary of Hip Hop in 2018. They are also working to strengthen community partnerships, especially with organizations that uplift and empower women.

As for the future of the cohort, the Community Foundation and Johnson Center will continue to explore new ways to offer similar services to help build the capacity of more minority led non-profit organizations in the community.

This is Leadership

Victor Williams

A.R.L.

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For Elizabeth White, it’s all about the story. The author came here to help Grand Rapids Community Foundation host “We Are the

Experts of Us,” a half-day conference for anyone thinking about, preparing for or already in retirement. Held September 15 at Calvin College, the conference capped more than a decade of local Encore movement, which strives to tap the skills and experience of older adults to improve communities and the world.

But as the keynote speaker, White wasn’t speaking about just her story. She also extolled the personal narratives of the more than 250 seated before her. And she marveled at the honesty of the participants. In the words of one conference organizer, attendees illustrated a “new way of reflecting the true face of Grand Rapids.”

Most attendees were 50 and older. They came eager to hear what White learned while writing her book Fifty-five, Unemployed, and Faking Normal: Your Guide to a Better Retirement Life. They also came to share their personal journeys with one another.

Why book resonatesIn the months before the conference, the Community Foundation

distributed dozens of copies of White’s book and organized a number of place-based resilience circles. Fifty-five, Unemployed, and Faking Normal is captivating older Americans who are questioning traditional paths to retirement. They want to find fulfillment despite financial jeopardy, career uncertainties, familial challenges and unconventional housing options.

The book asks tough questions, inviting readers to challenge the status quo when preparing for retirement. White encourages readers to stop hiding behind a veil of shame that won’t allow them to admit they might need an alternative plan that leans on hybrid solutions.

Many “We Are the Experts of Us” attendees echoed White’s own path, which started out in a healthy direction. But her path splintered into more questions than answers when she realized she would not retire with the sort of nest egg and other supports touted by traditional financial planners.

In a post-conference interview, White praised the Encore-sponsored event for building in time for neighbors to talk freely about their own special challenges. “It was amazing for me to hear from so many people who had read my book. They shared personal stories about the ways the book had changed them or allowed them to be more open and candid with family and friends,” she said.

“We’re at an age now where we’re not interested in hollow reassurance. We don’t want those positive-aging-happy thoughts, and I was very clear in writing this book that I was going to strike a balance.”

White said she thinks her book resonates with readers because she deliberately created a tone of “talking over the fence with my neighbor.” She said her book contrasts with self-help books that come off as too professorial, overly rife with data and filled with unrealistic expectations for readers to achieve.

One of the book’s main themes, she said, “is what happens when you’re in shame and you’re not telling anybody and trying to fake the whole thing” about how your future looks. She said her book has helped people cope honestly with their horizons and embrace adaptive measures, so they can live fulfilling lives as they age.

Caps decade of local Encore movement

Social entrepreneur Marc Freedman founded the Encore movement on a national platform nearly 20 years ago. Inspired by the movement, the Community Foundation has worked over a decade to raise the visibility of individuals and organizations taking innovative approaches to achieve the Encore vision locally. The conference was an opportunity to showcase local individuals living their very own encore.

White’s appearance galvanized the Community Foundation’s increased diligence over the last year to align itself with initiatives that acknowledge and dignify diversity, inclusion and equity.

“We recognize that experienced adults in communities of color face unique challenges and barriers in order to truly tap the wonderful talents and life experiences for the betterment of community. This conference demonstrated that we are committed in thought, word and, especially, deed to honoring the interests and voices of a truly diversified community,” said Kate Luckert Schmid, Community Foundation vice president of program. She’s been involved with Encore since it began here.

Encore Innovation Fellow Jane Royer praised the conference as “an outstanding example of how we can come together as a community in Kent County and make sure that all vital voices are heard. All of us who attended now have an opportunity to think carefully about our individual role in making sure that efforts toward equity and inclusion continue.”

Including everyoneEncore Innovation Fellow Shannon Cohen led the conference

planning committee of volunteers. Eschewing traditional strategies, she recruited help and solicited attendees from diverse communities.

“One of my primary goals was to include Encore members of color at every stage of planning the conference. Along the way, we also deepened Encore connections to nonprofits in urban core and central city locations, fostering mutual benefits and building relationships,” Shannon said.

The 24-plus significant stakeholders included the Urban League, Hispanic Center of Western Michigan, Black Women Connect, Baxter Threads Group, Red Hats/Pink Hats, The Grand Rapids Times, Family Outreach Center and Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives.

“At every juncture, we deliberately employed a universal approach to the local Encore movement to advance diversity, equity and inclusion goals. In designing a conference that respected so many in so many ways, we were able to foster a climate of trust, transparency and transfer of knowledge,” she said.

Older Adults Gather to Define Their Encore

Elizabeth White“We’re at an age

now where we’re not interested in hollow

reassurance. We don’t want those positive-

aging-happy thoughts, and I was very clear in writing this book that I was going to strike a

balance.”

K.S.T.R.

We are so pleased to announce that Kate Luckert Schmid is the

new vice president of program, and Laurie Craft is the new vice president of community investment. These promotions result from expanding the Community Foundation’s community leadership roles.

“Kate Luckert Schmid and Laurie Craft are highly regarded leaders, and we are so pleased that they will be contributing their significant talent and knowledge to our continued growth,” said Diana Sieger, Community Foundation president.

As vice president of program, Kate will lead grantmaking and scholarship initiatives. She’ll oversee a process redesign to ensure communities experiencing inequities have a greater voice in directing resources into their

communities toward community-identified priorities. Kate joined the Community Foundation in 2001.

“My time spent at the Community Foundation has been an incredible journey and tremendous honor.  I am grateful for the opportunity to move into this new role, as we collectively work to build an inclusive economy and thriving community,” she said.

As vice president of community investment, Laurie will oversee impact investments and work to align with

other community partners to increase opportunities for impact investing locally. She will keep managing community leadership activities and special projects, including Challenge Scholars. Laurie joined the Community Foundation in 1990.

“I have long been an advocate for the Community Foundation’s role as a community leader and impact investor. I’m very excited to explore the next steps for our expanded engagement in these areas,” she said.

Both Laurie and Kate most recently served as program directors at the Community Foundation. They will continue their roles on the senior leadership team, helping the Community Foundation develop and execute long-term strategic goals.

This & That

Laurie CraftKate Luckert Schmid

Grand Rapids Community Foundation Receives Diversity Visionary AwardGrand Rapids Chamber of Commerce recently named Grand Rapids Community Foundation a 2017 Diversity Visionary Award recipient. The Community Foundation was designated as a Four Star Recipient in the Small Business Division. Awards were presented November 17 at the Chamber’s Diversity Equity Inclusion Summit.

GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES NEW VPS OF PROGRAM AND COMMUNITY INVESTMENT

A.Y.

Holiday Office HoursGrand Rapids Community Foundation will be closed:

• Monday, December 25, 2017

• Tuesday, December 26, 2017

• Monday, January 1, 2018

Year-end Gifts to be credited for 2017 tax returns must be:• Delivered to the Community

Foundation by 5 p.m. on Friday, December 29, 2017

• Postmarked on or before December 31, 2017

• Given online by 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2017

Please note that complex gifts, such as an IRA transfer or a gift of stock or mutual funds, may take longer to facilitate. If you are considering this type of gift, please allow enough time for processing. We’re here to help. If you have questions, please call the Community Foundation development staff at 616.454.1751.

Thank you and happy holidays!

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Key Benefits of Giving StockCharitable contributions of appreciated assets give you two income tax advantages.

• For long-term capital gain property (held more than 12 months), the first is a charitable deduction equal to the full fair market value of the gifted property, up to 30 percent of your adjusted gross income. Note that any deduction over 30 percent that can’t be used the first year can be carried forward for up to five more years.

• The second advantage of giving stock is that you will also avoid capital gains tax, money you’d have to pay if the property was liquidated first.

Consider a donor in the 25% federal tax bracket who would like to make a $5,000 donation. Assuming a $1,250 basis in the stock, a gift of stock would result in a $562 savings over the same size gift of cash.

AS YEAR-END APPROACHES, Consider a Gift of StockMore donors are making a bigger impact on the issues that matter most to them by donating publicly traded stocks, bonds or mutual fund shares. This gift type offers unique tax advantages, so you might want to consider it before year-end.

When to Consider a Gift of Appreciated SecuritiesA gift of appreciated securities might be a smart option if you are holding stocks, bonds or mutual fund shares that have increased in value—and if you’ve held these assets for a year or longer. It is also advantageous if you want to make a gift that doesn’t affect your liquidity or cash flow.

FOUR TIPS FOR GIVING STOCK

1. To ensure a deduction for 2017, transfers should be initiated before December 20, 2017.

2. Call a Grand Rapids Community Foundation development team member for transfer instructions and to discuss your intentions for your gift.

3. Have your broker transfer the shares to Grand Rapids Community Foundation; don’t sell them yourself. If you sell the stock first, the IRS will impose a capital gains tax on your sale, taking away the benefits of a stock gift arrangement.

4. Visit http://bit.ly/2k5SHKN for helpful tools such as a cash vs. stock calculator

GIFT OF STOCK GIFT OF CASH

GIFT $5,000 $5,000

TAX SAVINGS - $1,812 - $1,250Income Tax Savings (at the 25% federal income tax level)

$1,250 $1,250

Capital Gains Tax Avoided $562 $0

NET COST OF GIFT = $3,188 = $3,750

OTHER CONVENIENT WAYS TO GIVE AT YEAR-END AND YEAR-ROUNDThe Community Foundation is here to help you make a difference in our community, and we want to make giving back easy for you. If you find the clock running down on the year and have more giving to do, please consider a gift to the Community Foundation. Here are two easy ways to give:

1. Giving online is secure, quick and easy! To make an online donation, visit www.givegr.org/donate.

2. For your convenience, we’ve also included a remittance envelope with this publication so you can mail in a check. Remember, for your gift to qualify as a 2017 tax deduction, your envelope must be postmarked on or before December 31, 2017.

We thank you for considering a year-end gift to the Community Foundation to strengthen Kent County for years to come!

Call us With Questions!We are here to help. If you would like to speak with a Community Foundation staff member about whether a gift of appreciated stock is right for you, please contact a member of our development staff by calling 616.454.1751

Marilyn Zack vice president of development mzack@grfoundation.org

Jonse Young philanthropic services director jyoung@grfoundation.org

Shaun Shira major gifts director sshira@grfoundation.org

Jenine Torres development officer jtorres@grfoundation.org

THE VALUE OF AGE

But I am more partial to these synonyms—doyen, superiors, dean and higher-ups!

I have been following the writings of Ashton Applewhite, who wrote the book This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism. She has a great following. Her blog, Facebook posts and public appearances, including a TED talk, are very popular. She writes about age bias and how the beauty industry promotes anti-aging. She also recommends anti-ageism resources and tools.

In her October 31, 2017, blog entry, Ms. Applewhite responded to a Washington Post article that argued that

L et me just start by saying that this age thing has been getting to me. As my friends will tell you, I do everything in my

power to deny that I’m getting older. This past year I even went to the extreme of traveling to Sicily to avoid any hoopla, soirees and potential celebratory gatherings for my “milestone” birthday. I thought I had escaped! It didn’t work. When I returned from Italy, a band of joyous revelers greeted me at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. They held their signs high, and one sign depicted a caricature of me announcing my birthday. I was found out—and rather publicly.

Well, that was a year ago, and, while I have not totally adjusted to the reality of my age, I have calmed down some about this fact. I know that many of you are thinking to yourselves, it’s better than the alternative. Yes, I get that, but it still doesn’t help me. It didn’t help when I received an invitation to join AARP when I was 48 years old. I sent the card back and wrote on it, “Knock it off—I’m not even 50 years old yet!”

Our society values those who are young, act young and look young. However, I must confess, that I often say that I’ll be blonde until I die, so do not wrestle that hair dye out of my hair stylist’s hands! But seriously, ageism seeps into even benign conversations. I’ve even heard myself say, “Well, what do you expect? I’m old!” The impression is that once you have hit a certain age, your value lessens. I looked up the word “senior” in my thesaurus and found synonyms such as pensioners, retirees and golden agers.

M Y C O M M U N I T Y M A T T E R SM Y C O M M U N I T Y M A T T E R S

the older generation is profiting at the expense of the young. Her response was perfect: Longer lives represent not just a

challenge but a remarkable resource and opportunity. To take advantage of

this “longevity dividend,” we need to quit the reflexive hand-wringing, challenge the ageist assumptions that underlie it, and think realistically and imaginatively about the kinds

of intergenerational contracts an equitable future will require. It’s going

to require all hands on deck—and all ages.

Older adults offer so much with their experience, wisdom and fortitude to make this community stand out! Regardless of what titles or positions we have held, we have been and will continue to be instrumental in making this community what it is today. It’s exciting to welcome all age groups flocking to the West Michigan that we have all known, loved and poured our blood, sweat and tears into. I love the exchange of ideas between generations—older ones sharing wisdom and experiences, younger ones sharing dreams and aspirations, and all of us collaborating to develop innovative ideas and solutions that honor the past, while embracing the future. That is community and it’s been truly beautiful to see.

“Regardless of what titles or positions we have held, we have been and will continue

to be instrumental in making this community

what it is today.”

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Ms. Mary AbbottMr. William E. AltGasper J. AmodeoMark and Wendy AndersonAnonymous (15)Mr. Willem AntonidesMr. and Mrs. Noyes AveryBrian BakkerKen BandstraMr. and Mrs. Kevin BassettJohn H.* and Nancy BattsRoger and Willa BauerLaurie Finney BeardLois Eberhard BeckeringTanya and Tom BergJohn R. BertschJudy* and Ken BetzKristine BishopJohn and Claire BissellLynne BlackMs. Bonnie L. BlandfordThomas N. BlandfordGlen and Betsy BorreGeorge and Jill BosnjakGina M. BoveeMr. and Mrs. Paul D. Bowers Jr.Janet and John BoylesTom BraciakMr. and Mrs. Larry BratschieThe Honorable Hugh W. Brenneman Jr.Mark BreonMrs. Richard F. BrushRenwick BrutusRobert and Sandy Burnham Jan BurnsAnna Moore ButznerSharon M. BuursmaJohn and Linda ByingtonDr. and Mrs. Mark CampbellJohn and Marie CanepaMs. Esther A. CarewDavid M. and Cara V. CassardOlga CassardMandy and Christian ChardoulMs. Libby ChildMr. and Mrs. Ronald L. CornetetBill and Marilyn Crawford

Ms. Elizabeth J. CrosbyMal and Mary Abbott CummingTom CzerneyTom and Gale CzerwinskiJohn and Edy DaviesGilbert R. and Patricia K. DavisNorman B. and Mary M. De GraafJoy DeBoerBarbara DeMoorBill and Carolyn DeNeutDavid R. and Helene M. DespresRick and Sue DeVriesMr. and Mrs. Phillip DeWildtDanielle DeWittGail DeYoung and F. Jay SchoettleyRita DidrichsonsMr. Max DoeringElizabeth T. (Mrs. Carson) DonleyMr. and Mrs. Lawrence E. Dooge Jr.Beth DornanMr. and Mrs. Ronald L. DucharmeMr. Robert J. DunlapMs. Patricia S. DuthlerDavid G. Dvorak, M.D.Lucy Dyer Joswick and Scott JoswickMr. and Mrs. Kenton H. EaveyMr. and Mrs. Jay EganBen and Susan EmdinMs. Elaine E. EmmonsBill EsslingHank and Marcia FairchildMrs. Diane S. FarageBill and Kay FarrMr. and Mrs. Thomas FinazziMichael Finton Ph.D.Mary and Bill FordJoy FosterMr. and Mrs. Ben A. FowlerThomas S. and Maxine J. FoxJeffrey and Sheila FrankEllie Frey Zagel Mary Meade FugerMr. Henry G. FuhsMichael and Elyce FullerJames and Marilyn Klyn GalerIris-Naomi GarciaBrent and Ronda Geers

Christine GilchristMs. Anita M. GilleoGene and Tubie GilmoreLinsey GleasonMr. and Mrs. Thomas D. GleasonBeth GoebelMr. and Mrs. Philip W. GoodspeedMs. Derether GreerDr. James and Patty GunnMr. and Mrs. William H. Hardy Jr.Graci HarkemaMr. and Mrs. Ralph HathawayJacqueline E. HavemanJanet A. HaynesJan HeerspinkMr. and Mrs. James HegartyMr. and Mrs. William R. HeyneJohn and Gwen HibbardBert Pettis and Gary HillJeff and Laura HillDirk HoffiusMichael HoffmanJane HondelinkRobert L. and Judith* S. HookerDavid HorningGregg and Kim HughesKatherine HumphreyBonnie Hunter and Merl MorehouseJohn HuntingHenry Idema IISue Ann JabinCherry and Phil JacobusChuck and Carol JenningsShirley JeterLynne Jarman Johnson and Robert J. JohnsonTom and Margy JonesMichael and Sarah JulienKaren A. Kania and Margaret H. McClureCarol KarrMary KarripMs. Evelyn A. KasperlikMrs. M. S. Keeler IIMrs. Nancy P. Kehoe NielsenChristina KellerMr. Fred P. KellerPaul and Beth KellyMr. and Mrs. Peter Kenny

Metz Legacy SocietyAll gifts to Grand Rapids Community Foundation are important and worthy of recognition. Here, we recognize members of our Metz Legacy Society who have included the Community Foundation in their will, estate plan or have created a life income gift.

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Roberta F. KingMs. Birgit KlohsHerbert and Glenna KnapeRaymond E. KnapeMichael E. KooistraDavid A. and Phyllis E. KoslowMrs. June KostenHoyt KremerMs. Marjorie KuipersCris and Tom KutzliMrs. Paula La ClaireJeff Schad and Marilyn LankferB. Kenneth LarmMr. Claire R. and Mrs. Debra G. LarsonDr. Sandra LastR. Lawrence and Marilyn LeighHarvey LemmenMr. and Mrs. Wayne LemmenNorm and Marilyn LevenMike LloydMichael LoughmanArend and Nancy LubbersJan Lunquist and Michael MayMr. Eugene G. LyonsSuzie MackeiganFrank and Nancy ManningBarbara P. MarcusRonald MarsteinerChet MaternowskiMax B. MattesonKate and John McGarryMichele McHale-Adams and George AdamsBonnie K. MillerDaniel Miller and Susan Wright-MillerBryant and Audrey MitchellKim S. MitchellRonald and Karen ModreskiGordie and Jan MoellerDavid and Diana MorgensternTerri A. MulliganMs. Dorothy MunsonRosemary D. MurphyJudge William B. Murphy and Paula MurphyMatthew and Stephanie MuscatJon and Carol MuthArdith V. Neath AdamsMr. and Mrs. Bradley D. NelsonDale C. and Cynthia Dewees NelsonDr. Anthony J. Foster and Linda Nemec FosterGary and Peg NovosadJudge W. Baldwin and Judy OgdenFred Olert Jr.Mr. Gerald Olson

Mr. Armen G. OumedianSteve and Molly ParkerMr. and Mrs. James B. PayneJohn L. PetersonCynthia PimmMr. John H. Pimm Sr.Kathleen Stewart PonitzJim and Marie PrestonMr. and Mrs. Michael H. PriceScott PruskiMarcia L. RappRochelle ReaganRichard A. Roane and Leandro RoblesMarjorie and Bud RoeggeMilt and Barbara RohwerDr. Jack and Lija RomenceMs. Lisa M. RoseMr. Andrew F. RossanoMary C. RothBob and Marcy RothOwen Rottschafer, M.D.Stella A. RoyceMs. Kathleen M. RussellMargaret RyanRebecca L. RynbrandtMegan SallJerry Schaefer and Polly HewittRobert SchellenbergMary Jane SchopfMs. Greta SchuilMs. Corliss E. ScottJohn ScottJim and Susie SebastianPeter and Joan SecchiaMark A. Sellers Mrs. Elaine ShayEileen ShedleskiMarilyn and Budge SherwoodShaun ShiraDiana R. SiegerMs. Maureen Quinn SladeRyan SlusarzykMr. and Mrs. Gary R. SnyderLisa Sostecke DDSRobert A. SprotteAmanda and Ryan St. PierreTerrence M. StartBarbara D. SteilStan and Norma SterkWendy StockMs. Patty A. StoryMs. Ann Stuart BurroughsMichael and Susan Taylor

Steele and Mary TaylorKG ThompsonJill and Art TiefenbachVicki and Brian TingleyElla M. ToppMr. and Mrs. Daniel TrappGeorge and Kerstin TrowbridgeColin Chelovich and Molly Tupper ChelovichDonald and Mary TuttleMs. Rebecca L. TykeDr. and Mrs. Ghayas UddinSelene Van VleckDon VandenBos Jr.Dave and Lorrie Vander ArkMrs. Dori Vander MeyLou VanderHaveErica Curry VanEe and Brian VanEeMr. and Mrs. Rick A. VanHornMs. Robin E. VelteCarl and Sandra VerBeekBen and Emily VerWysJohn P. and Lynn VinkemulderPhil and Kathleen VogelsangTheodore J. VogtDavid and Kay WagnerGary R. and Janice M. WalkerAnita WallgrenMs. Sandra WardMr.* and Mrs. Russel WarnerDr. and Mrs. James K. WatkinsMs. Connie WengerJohn WertMary WhiteDorothy WiestRita Williams and John GillJim and Connie Winter-TroutwineMr. Thomas D. WisnomMike and Colleen WolfeKate Pew WoltersDr. Richard J. WoltersomBob and Aleicia Woodrick

Ms. E. Gabriel Works and Mr. John V. O’Connor

John S. and Kathleen B. WoudstraDick and Barbara YoungMarilyn and Garrett ZackMr. and Mrs. John H. ZwarensteynRev. David Baak and Betty ZylstraRobert J. Zylstra

*Deceased

Names listed are based on our records as of December 1, 2017

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Grand Rapids Community Foundation185 Oakes Street S.W.Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503

Nonprofit OrganizationU.S. Postage

P A I DGrand Rapids, MI

Permit No. 360If you are receiving duplicate copies of Current, let us know, and please pass one along to a friend.

Back in the “old days” (about 10 years ago), the rules for deducting charitable contributions were fairly lax. I throw a few bucks into the Salvation Army’s

Red Kettle, the bell rings in acknowledgment, and I make a mental note to take a deduction on my tax return next spring. No receipt provided, no written acknowledgment given, no problem!

Alas, that era has ended and recordkeeping has become more stringent. No longer are those dollars deductible without proof. If done correctly, however, taxpayers can keep supporting charities while also getting the benefit of a tax deduction.

Substantiation requirements vary based on the type of donation (cash or property) and the value of the property contributed. In general, for all cash contributions regardless of amount, no deduction is allowed unless the taxpayer retains either a bank receipt supporting the donation or a written receipt or communication from the charity. Each must show the charity’s name and the contribution date amount. Emails qualify as a “written communication.”

Here are the rules for proving cash and property charitable contributions.

Property contributions of less than $250Such donations must be substantiated by either: (1) a written receipt or letter from the recipient reflecting its name, date, place and description of property; or (2) in lieu of a receipt, reliable written records reflecting similar information as well as cost basis of property and/or terms or conditions attached to the gift.

Cash and property contributions of $250 or moreWritten acknowledgment is required from the charity; a cancelled check does not suffice. If the taxpayer doesn’t have written acknowledgment when filing the return, the deduction may be disallowed completely. The written acknowledgment must address whether the taxpayer received any goods or services in return for the donation. If so, the deduction is limited to the value of property contributed less the value of consideration received in return.

Property contributions of more than $500Taxpayers who donate property greater than $500, must attach Form 8283 (Noncash Charitable Contributions) to their personal return. Besides reflecting the value of the property, it’s also required to include how and when the property was acquired, as well as its original cost basis. Failure to include this information may result in complete disallowance of the deduction.

Property contributions of more than $5,000Taxpayers must get a qualified appraisal for property valued at $5,000 or more, unless the donation is publicly traded securities. Form 8283 also requires signatures from the recipient organization and appraiser. This is a trap for the unwary! Too often we’ve seen taxpayers forget to obtain an appraisal; the IRS will not permit a deduction without it.

Substantiation rules are more complicated now than in the “old days.” With proper planning and a general understanding of the rules, taxpayers still should be able to take full advantage of the tax law while continuing to support their favorite charity.

Adapted from Steven Struck’s Grand Rapids Business Journal article published August 31, 2017. Struck, CPA, MST, CSEP, is a principal at Baker Holtz in Grand Rapids.

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