Let’s give back to our local nonprofits

I. Last year during Idaho Gives area nonprofits joined together for a block party at City Park where there were carousel rides, museum tours, a volunteer fair, and a cornhole tournament. The plan was to continue this tradition of camaraderie and community connection, but the world has changed and nonprofits must fundraise and communicate with donors differently.

Idaho Gives is the largest event of online giving in Idaho. The donation period has been extended from a single day to two weeks. Understandably, the decision to extend Idaho Gives was a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on nonprofits. Our nonprofits are being directly impacted by the pandemic and many are also on the front lines providing direct support to Idahoans. It was a difficult decision to extend Idaho Gives; however, the media has an opportunity to highlight a variety of nonprofits registered, and the nonprofits themselves appreciate the extra time to build their campaign.

Over 30 local nonprofits in Kootenai and Bonner counties are hosting virtual events to create awareness of their services and their needs. Some need donations (cash or specific items) and others need volunteers. Had a physical event taken place, there was to be a volunteer fair targeted toward retired professionals in our community. I want to encourage everyone in our community to discover and interact with a charity you care about.

II. Last year North Idaho raised $37,211 for 42 nonprofit organizations on a single day of giving. Idaho has 1.2 million adults. If everyone in Kootenai and Bonner counties gave just $10 we could raise over $2 million for local nonprofits.

I understand the importance of staying current on potential measures that are being designed to help nonprofits during this time. Current support that is available for nonprofits to access, such as the PPP, doesn’t necessarily cover the massive increase in demand of services from these nonprofits or replace crucial funding to those who are closed. Additionally, the timing of this potential relief is very uncertain.

III. Idaho Gives is always a special time for me. Unlike other national online days of giving, there is a community minded approach to Idaho Gives. The nonprofit organizations that serve our community collectively plan, organize, and participate in events. Regularly, the nonprofits of Kootenai County meet, train, and network together. We are a team outside of our organizations. Kootenai County nonprofits actively apply the principals that drive our missions in everything that we do and everywhere that we go. These dedicated professionals are the heart of our communities.

IV. The Idaho Gives Theme is: Idaho has given you so many things, what can you give to Idaho? This theme was decided long before COVID-19. As we sit in our homes and eagerly plan that outing into the natural beauty of our state, let’s stop and think of the nonprofit organizations along the route. Whether they are keeping the area beautiful or uplifting the hurt, there is nowhere you can go in Idaho that isn’t touched by a nonprofit group.

V. There are so many worthy causes you can give to, and IdahoGives.org makes it easy to find one that speaks to you. Anytime between April 23 and May 7, donors can support local nonprofits by donating through the Idaho Gives website. https://www.idahogives.org/

If you should choose to provide support to Idaho nonprofits it’s important that you understand how you might also benefit. Under the new CARES Act, if you take the standard deduction on your 2020 tax return (filed in 2021), you can claim a brand new “above-the-line” deduction of up to $300 per person ($600 for married couples) for cash donations to charities you make this year. This deduction can be taken regardless of which tax bracket you fall in.

Let’s show the rest of Idaho how much we appreciate what Idaho has done for us and give back to our local nonprofits. Donate from April 23 through May 7 at IdahoGives.org

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Jocelyn Whitfield-Babcock is development director at the Museum of North Idaho.