As much as Sonoma’s autumn heatwaves and rainstorms may have us convinced it is still the beginning of Fall, the holiday season is right around the corner. With the seasonal changes, our thoughts reflect on what we have done for our county’s nonprofits – and what we want to still do. For the more pragmatic among us, maybe it’s the December 31 tax deadline that leads some to start thinking about getting their deductions in order.

Whatever your motivation may be, your year-end giving is critical to continue the remarkable work of Sonoma County’s vibrant non-profit community organizations. To illustrate just how important each individual gift is, consider that in 2015, the largest source of charitable giving came from individuals at $268.28 billion, or 71% of total giving. Foundations followed at 16% ($57.19 billion), bequests accounted for 9% ($28.72 billion), and corporations accounted for 5% of total giving ($18.46 billion). [1]

To make year end grant recommendations from your donor-advised fund, please submit your grant recommendations by Friday, December 9, 2016 to ensure that nonprofits receive contributions by the close of the calendar year.

To realize tax benefits this year, any new contribution to your fund must be in our office by noon on December 31st or postmarked no later than December 31, 2016. If you plan to make a gift of securities to your fund, you or your broker must notify the Community Foundation before making the gift. To assure a smooth transaction, we ask that you please initiate the transfer by December 16, 2016.

Your philanthropic advisor is available to discuss community needs and support your grantmaking. Please give us a call and share how we can help you in meeting your year-end philanthropic goals.

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