Greater Kansas City Community Foundation

Good things come in threes

When Eva turned three last week, I was reminded just what a great number three really is. Three times is a charm, three is company, Goldilocks wouldn't have been the same without the three bears, and, of course, anyone can enjoy at least one of the three easy ways to start getting involved with the Community Foundation. At the Community Foundation, you can purchase a Giving Card for as little as $25, receive a tax deduction, and pass the card on to a friend or family member to celebrate a birthday, holiday, or any special occasion. Or, you can rally your friends and family around a favorite cause by starting a giving circle(PDF download). You can even establish your own personal, family, or business foundation fund for a tax-deductible cost as low as $21 a month.

Anyone want to guess what's in the bag? If you said "a fluffy tulle skirt, a flowery headband, and a magic wand," you were right. A triad of birthday gifts perfectly suited for a three-year-old who is convinced she's a princess, even on days when it's NOT her birthday!

Another better way to give

Where can you find the perfect gift for the person who has everything? Right at your fingertips at www.gkccf.org. Click the “Giving Cards” heading, select a design, and load the card with $25, $50 or even $100, tax deductible to you. We’ll send you the Giving Card for you to wrap up with a box of candy or flowers or even just a smile. The lucky recipient can give the face amount of the card to a charity of choice, anywhere in the United States.

Someone needs to tell five-year-old Lindy about the Giving Cards. As we were browsing the aisles of Lowe’s over the weekend, picking out paint colors, Lindy spotted the appliance section. She pointed to a snazzy looking washing machine and said “I want one of those for my birthday.”

Running to stand still

Did anyone happen to see a harried-looking mother chasing a two-year-old through Oak Park Mall yesterday around 4:45 p.m.? That was me. Evidently Eva had enough of the Build-A-Bear festivities celebrating little Ella’s birthday and decided to go window shopping. I finally caught her making a beeline for Dillard’s.

Fortunately, if you have a fund at the Community Foundation, you don’t have to chase down dozens of pieces of paper when tax time rolls around. Organize all of your donations through a personal, family, or corporate fund, and you’ll have all of your charitable giving records in one place, easily accessible online at any time. This means that you can focus on giving, not receipt keeping. Your Community Foundation: a better way to give.