Charitable Giving Trends Continue to Propel Philanthropy Forward

breiby@growyourgiving.orgIndividual & Family Giving

In 2018, individuals, families and companies contributed $427 billion to charities. At a recent Nonprofit Connect event in Kansas City, Dr. Patrick Rooney from Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy presented the Giving USA Annual Report of Philanthropy for the year of 2018. The Giving USA report shows how tax changes in 2017 created three trends in giving: Continued …

Combating Human Trafficking: A Conversation with Victor Boutros

breiby@growyourgiving.orgIndividual & Family Giving

Victor Boutros, CEO of the Human Trafficking Institute recently joined us on the Grow Your Giving podcast to discuss the global epidemic of human trafficking. We recently hosted Victor and other experts at a Donor-to-Donor event to explore the issue of modern slavery and how philanthropy can support efforts to end human trafficking. Take a listen as Victor and Whitney …

Combating Human Trafficking

breiby@growyourgiving.orgIndividual & Family Giving

With more than $150 billion in profits expected next year, human trafficking is the fastest-growing crime in the world. Outperforming Walmart, Exon, Microsoft and Apple’s profits combined, the trafficking industry has unquestionably reached epidemic proportions. At a recent Donor-to-Donor event, Greater Kansas City Community Foundation donors were invited to hear from a panel of experts on the changing landscape of …

Behind the Scenes at the Kansas City MLB Urban Youth Academy

breiby@growyourgiving.orgIndividual & Family Giving

Earlier this spring, Greater Kansas City Community Foundation donors had the opportunity to go behind the scenes at the Kansas City Urban Youth Academy. With support from Major League Baseball and generous donors, the Academy opened in March of 2018 as one of only eight state-of-the-art facilities in the country focused on empowering youth through baseball and softball. In 2006, …

The Role of Philanthropy in Opportunity Zones

breiby@growyourgiving.orgIndividual & Family Giving

A panel of experts recently joined Greater Kansas City Community Foundation donors and community leaders to discuss the role of philanthropy in Opportunity Zones. Still largely unregulated, Opportunity Zones provide the chance for investment in community development projects in typically disinvested areas. What are Opportunity Zones? Opportunity Zones are designated as economically distressed communities. There are more than 8,700 Opportunity …

Paint, Pottery, and Postsecondary Education Goals

breiby@growyourgiving.orgCorporate Charitable Giving, Individual & Family Giving

In 1991, Paul Dorrell founded Leopold Gallery to showcase the work of regional artists. After a successful 15 years in the business, Paul felt it was time to start helping others. In 2006, Paul paid a visit to Paseo Academy, a local charter school, and was devastated by what he saw in the art classrooms. “These were intelligent kids making …

Midwestern Flooding: How You Can Help Now

breiby@growyourgiving.orgIndividual & Family Giving

Recent flooding has devastated communities across the Midwest, specifically in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. Thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes as rivers continue to rise. The floods, magnified by melting snow and heavy rainfall, have caused more than a billion dollars in estimated damage, with that number expected to increase over time. For those looking to …

Charitable Giving Tax Strategy: Bunching Donations in a Donor-Advised Fund

breiby@growyourgiving.orgIndividual & Family Giving

Tax season is in full swing, and as taxpayers are completing their tax returns, they are seeing first-hand the effects of the tax law changes under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Many individuals and families have had to rethink their giving strategy to ensure they can still take advantage of the tax benefits associated with charitable giving. The standard …

Durwood Foundation Celebrates Early Childhood Education Leaders

breiby@growyourgiving.orgIndividual & Family Giving

Earlier this year, 23 representatives from Kansas City early childhood education organizations gathered together over lunch at the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation to celebrate their work, share their knowledge, and express their gratitude to the Stanley H. Durwood Foundation. The Stanley H. Durwood Foundation, better known simply as the Durwood Foundation, has provided funding to early childhood education programs …

An Introduction to Opportunity Zones: A Conversation with Ross Baird

breiby@growyourgiving.orgIndividual & Family Giving

A lesser-known aspect of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provides a tax incentive for investors to invest in designated economically distressed areas across the country, known as Opportunity Zones. Ross Baird, national expert on Opportunity Zones, recently joined Whitney Hosty, Senior Philanthropic Advisor on the Grow Your Giving podcast. They discuss how Opportunity Zones in Kansas City and across …