Giving: Individuals


The Michigan Tax Credit allows individuals to give up to $200 (for couples it is $400), and half of that gift amount is credited against your Michigan Income taxes. So, individuals immediately save $100 on their taxable income by giving a $200 gift through the Keweenaw Community Foundation.

Sample Donor Story:

If a sample donor, Lillian, has a marginal federal tax of 36%, then Lillian’s original $200 gift provides a potential federal tax savings of $72 ($200 x .36 = $72 federal tax savings). Adding the federal tax reduction to the Michigan tax credit ($72 + $100), Lillian saves $172 in tax on her gift of $200.

In effect, her gift of $200 to her Community Foundation has only cost her $28, but the Foundation benefits from the full $200. (Using the same tax %, a couple’s gift of $400 would cost them $72).

This story is a wonderful example of how almost anyone can give back to our community through a gift to the Keweenaw Community Foundation. Every gifts helps--don't underestimate the power of these smaller gifts. When they are combined and invested over time, they have a tremendous local impact. A gift does not have to be large to make a difference in our community.

A personal connection. When Alex Dorado retired, he wanted a way to give more to his community. “I’ve lived here my whole life, and now that I have more time and resources, I can give back to a number of causes and organizations that are very special to me,” he says. Alex and his financial advisor met with their community foundation to discuss ways Alex might increase the impact of his giving and gain maximum tax advantage. Alex chose to establish a Donor Advised Fund in his family’s name. He now meets with the community foundation’s professional program staff to recommend grants in the areas he cares about most. “Last year, based on my recommendations, the fund bought uniforms for an after-school sports league and supported an adult literacy program,” reports Alex. “This is a great way to stay involved and use what I have to make a difference in the community I love.”

Sharing family values. “We wanted to share our community values with our children and share our family values with our community,” says Sara Lin, explaining why she and her husband Peter established the Lin Donor Advised Fund at their local community foundation. Every year, the Lins and their children meet with community foundation staff to recommend uses of the fund. Two years ago, they recommended that it be used to help start an inner-city daycare center. Last year, the fund helped expand the hours of this center, in addition to supporting an area arts camp. “We look forward to a day when we might involve our children’s children in giving back,” says Sarah.


PUBLIC DOCUMENTS: Our annual audit, IRS Form 990, and our annual application for the State of Michigan License to Solicit Donations are available at our office during business hours.