Dear Friends,
Amidst all that is going on in the world, our country, Maine, our communities, and our circles of friends and family, we wish you peace and optimism. We hope you find the gift of hopefulness, which has not been possible for many this year. As vaccines make their way into our hospitals, nursing homes, and other frontline establishments; as the change in our national leadership approaches; and as the days start to lengthen, we are excited to tackle the challenges of 2021, knowing the good employees, supporters, and organizations in our network will be there, like you always are, working alongside us.
In our last email of the year, we are including:
- our usual sample of news and information from our member groups;
- a shout out to the active workplace campaigns that we are aware of;
- an as ask that you consider a year-end gift, if you have the ability and have not already done so; and
- information on some tax-incentives for charitable giving in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which will be expiring soon.
Thank you for traveling through 2020 with us! Happy holidays!
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& Consider a year-end gift to support 41 organizations with one gift |
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Favorable Tax Treatment for 2020 Charitable Giving, CARES Act |
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In the CARES Act, passed in March this year, there are provisions that will sunset on 12/31/2020. These provisions were enacted to incentivize individuals and corporations to donate to qualifying charitable organizations. MaineShare and all MaineShare member groups are qualifying charitable organizations.
For those of you who DO NOT itemize: This year only, you can donate up to $300 (cash, check or charge) to a qualifying charity, and receive what they call an “above the line” deduction to your taxable income. There will be a spot on the tax form for you to enter your donations. More information.
For those of you who itemize: The deduction limit for cash gifts has increased to 100% of your adjusted gross income in 2020—up from 60%. Gifts to donor-advised funds and private foundations are not eligible. More information.
For Retirees: The CARES Act suspended required minimum distributions from retirement accounts; however, individuals can still make a qualified charitable distribution of up to $100,000 from their IRAs. The direct distribution to charity would not be included in taxable income. More information.
For Corporations: The CARES Act permits C Corporations to apply an increased limit of 25% of taxable income (up from 10%) for charitable contributions of cash they make to qualifying charities. MaineShare has many generous workplaces who may be able to take advantage of this. More information.
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Inspiration, information, Opportunities, and News from Our Members |
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New Video by Maine Council of Churches - "Stay Safe Faithfully
The Maine Council of Churches has produced a short video for the holiday season urging people to "stay safe faithfully" by wearing a face mask and practicing social distancing whenever they are in public, and to refrain from attending in-person worship gatherings until the pandemic surge subsides. The video features Jewish, Christian and Quaker leaders from all across the state explaining how their core values lead them to love their neighbors, sacrifice for others' well-being, and trust science-based guidance on best practices for curbing the spread of the coronavirus.
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As the days get shorter and the snow begins to fly, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine wants to remind all drivers to slow down and pay extra attention for pedestrians, people on bikes, and other vulnerable users on our state’s roadways. Speed affects everything from driver visibility and how fast a car can come to a stop to how quickly a moment of distraction becomes a disaster—and winter conditions make things even more dangerous.
We all know that cold, rain, or snow doesn’t stop hearty Mainers from getting outside, so please slow down and help keep us all safe. Learn more about the Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s Slow ME Down campaign and sign our letter of support here: bikemaine.org/slow-me-down.
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New MECEP Report shows that improving race equity would create 4,000 jobs and spur $519 million in economic activity.
While Maine remains one of the whitest states in the country, racial inequality exists and persists in ways that hold back economic progress for all of us. The State of Working Maine, the signature annual report recently published by Maine Center for Economic Policy (MECEP), takes a deeper look at the current economic impact of racial inequality on our state. The report shows how policies that prioritize race equity will help us live up to basic ideals of fairness and strengthen Maine’s economy. A conclusion is that by improving race equity will raise incomes, increase productivity, and create jobs, spurring $519 in economic activity.
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MOFGA's pop-up store at 48 Main Street in Freeport, Maine, is open! The Maine Organic Country Store features MOFGA and Common Ground Country Fair merchandise as well as items from Fair vendors and MOFGA certified organic producers. The shelves are full of beautiful products like handcrafted wooden bowls and utensils, felted fairies and woodland creatures, dried flower wreaths and arrangements, garlic, body care products and tea towels. Visit the store Monday-Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday 10am-6pm, and Sunday 11am-4pm, now through January 10th.
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The Maine Hospice Council and Center for End-of-Life Care (MHC) received one of 13 grants to work in partnership with the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s “We Honor Veterans Program” (NHPCO/WHV) and the US Department of Veterans Affairs. The goal is to continue increasing awareness of PTSD, Moral Injury and Suicide Prevention, as well as the subsequent impact on end of life and palliative care. This will be accomplished in partnership with community organizations, and our long-time partners at Togus VA Medical Center.
To learn more about Trauma Informed Care, as well as training opportunities, please contact Kandyce at the Maine Hospice Council, (207) 626-0651, or contact Togus VAMC for consultation and resource information.
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The 2020 Workplace Giving Campaign - A year like no other! |
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MaineShare is incredibly grateful for all the employees and employers who have so far included MaineShare in their workplace giving campaigns. Most of our workplaces will be wrapping up their campaigns by year-end and a few will wrap up in January. Here’s what we know:
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Over 600 individuals have pledged or donated through 43 workplaces to date.
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Over $210,000 has been pledged or donated so far by these individuals and their workplaces.
Thank you to all our workplaces for a good campaign so far! In the new year, we’ll have more details.
2020 Active Workplaces (we know of):
* MaineShare Member Group
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& Consider a year-end gift to support 41 organizations with one gift.
Thank you!
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This is just a small sampling of the critical work MaineShare members do to build a better Maine. Please join us in supporting and learning from the great work of ALL our member groups.
Again, Thank you for traveling through 2020 with us! Happy holidays!
Best regards,
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Brenda Peluso, Interim Director
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