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Money Saving Tax Tip 
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The "Tax Refund" That Really Isn't One--It's a Loan Where You Pay to Borrow Your Own Money! How would you like to pay a really-high price to borrow money that already belongs to you? Sounds pretty ridiculous doesn't it? This is what happens to many folks at tax time due to RAL's, or Refund Anticipation Loans. Tax-time advertisements promote "Fast Cash Refunds," "Express Money," or "Instant Refunds." These ads offer to send a refund in just a day or two, or sometimes even on the spot. However, many of these "fast refunds" are really loans, or RAL's. When someone gets an RAL, they are actually borrowing against their own tax refund money. RAL's are usually marketed to those who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit and usually entail extremely expensive loan fees that typically range from $30 to $90. This translates into Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) of about 60% to over 700%. RAL fees, combined with tax preparation, electronic filing, and other fees, can end up eating away a big chunk of a refund. The best thing to do is to plan ahead and get your tax return done and e-filed free from the IRS at a local Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site. When you get a RAL and borrow your own money at a high rate of interest, you're lining someone else's pockets with YOUR hard-earned money! So "keep your money in your own pocket" this year, and invest in your and your family's future. Get your taxes done at a site in our community this tax season. VITA sites open January 15, 2011! For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 2-1-1.  Share this information with a friend today!
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United Way Priorities: EDUCATION
Global, National, & Local
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 Why is United Way in the business of concerning itself with education, and how did we get there? It is clear that everyone in our country benefits when a child succeeds in school, when families are financially stable, and when people are healthy. However, for millions of hardworking families, the basic ingredients for a good life are increasingly beyond reach. An alarming 25% of teenagers will not graduate from high school on time, imperiling their chances to make a successful transition to adulthood. Clearly this is unacceptable. In 2008, United Way of St. Joseph County (UWSJC) applied for and received matching funds from the Indiana Association of United Ways to research a range of education issues pertaining to student performance, including the graduation rate, achievement gap, ISTEP scores, generational poverty, grade-level performance, etc. within the South Bend Community School Corporation. In 2010, UWSJC was approved for matching funds designated for our Education Initiative. The intent of this grant is to match increased and new campaign donations dollar for dollar to a maximum of $370,000. $175,000 of the matching funds will be directed to the Education Initiative. Programs receiving support will include the Early College Program for "at-risk" students and provisions for Latino, African-American and low-income children to attend a licensed pre-K or Head Start Program. As an outgrowth of the UWSJC Education Initiative, key community stakeholders convened to form the Community Education Impact Committee (CEIC). Approximately 115 community professionals, parents, teachers, administrators and volunteers meet monthly to gather data, examine "best practices," evaluate potential short-term and permanent funding streams, and prioritize implementation of initiatives. As a new year begins, CEIC members remain dedicated to promoting high expectations for all students and are particularly committed to ensuring that every child in our community has equal access to quality education. Read more at www.uwsjc.org/our-impact/63/112-education.
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Leadership Blog Update
 Read this month's Leadership Blog post, "Emotional Intelligence and the Business Dilemma," written by Through Eagles Eyes, Inc.
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2010 Campaign Update
 As we approach the midpoint of the campaign year and head toward the end of 2010, we remain guardedly optimistic that we will reach or exceed our 2010 Campaign Goal of $3.35 million. As of today, 12/15, we have attained $1,912,482 in campaign funding. That equates to 57% of the 2010 annual goal, and exceeds last years same date total of $1,727,477 by $185,005.
We are up 11.1% for accounts that are finalized when comparing year over year results to the respective annual goal for each year.
Two factors to thank for the positive 2010 performance:- This year's 1010 Grant from the Indiana Association of United Ways (IaUW), which matches dollar for dollar any new or increased donations
- The increased performance of our wonderful Pacesetter group of donors
That having been said, the needs in our community far outpace the current campaign trend. We know that many of our agency partners are facing reduced funding challenges, and we are already receiving more funding requests than we can possibly accommodate even if the 2010 goal is attained. |
Our Great Agency Partners
- Salvation Army
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 The Salvation Army and United Way of St. Joseph County have had a long, strong relationship. Current programs include:
- Food pantry - supported by United Way and EFSP funding, Salvation Army's food pantry serves an average of over 350 families per month, and collaborates with the People Gotta Eat initiative.
- Financial assistance - supported by United Way, Salvation Army's Case Worker works with clients to help resolve evictions, utility disconnects, and basic needs issues.
- Christmas assistance - While numerous families struggle to make ends meet, how are they to afford the pressures of the holidays, as well? The Salvation Army regularly serves around 1,500 families each holiday season with food and toys to help alleviate the financial stress the needy in our community feel.
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We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
- Winston Churchill
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PASS IT ON!
Forward this eNewsletter
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You can LIVE UNITED by helping us spread the word. If you know someone who would be interested in what's going on with United Way of St. Joseph County, please pass it on!
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Did you know?
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Q: What are United Way initiatives?
A: A community initiative is a time limited effort to address a significant community problem or opportunity on a systemic level. United Way may be an initiator or invited to be a partner. Either way, United Way, collaborating with others, is involved in the planning, development and implementation of the community initiative. It shares ownership with the other partners in achieving agreed upon measurable outcomes and integrating the resulting systemic improvements into existing systems so that they can be sustained into the future.
Current Initiatives include: People Gotta Eat and the Community Education Impact Committee.
Want to know more?
Ask a question and you will be answered by a UW staff member. Your question may be featured in next month's newsletter!
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Calling 2-1-1 enables you to find human, health, and social services in our community quickly and efficiently. 2-1-1 currently lists 609 agencies in the St. Joseph County database that represent 1,878 programs available in our community.
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United Way is proud to say that it continues to be an excellent investment decision. Remember, your gift is tax deductible if you itemize your deduction!
Want more tips about charitable giving? Check out Amy E. Buttell's article:
"2010 Charitable Gifts Tax Guide"
under the resources section of the website. | |
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 Mark your Calendars: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Appointments begin January 4th!
Check out the UWSJC Calendar for up-to-date VITA and other UW dates.
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UW National News
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Holiday Gift Giving Made Simple
 Wrap up your shopping without the crowds or even leaving your house. Pick up a United Way American Express Gift Card and take the stress and guess work out of your holiday shopping. When you purchase the card that gives back and donates the $3.95 purchase fee per card to United Way, you're giving the gift that gives twice.
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Why I LIVE UNITED - Katie Toothaker
| The following is an explanation of why Katie Toothaker and her family LIVE UNITED.
 A couple of weeks ago, I was visiting the O.C. Carmichael Jr. Youth Center, one of the Boys & Girls Club's sites, located on East Sample Street in South Bend. I was there to explore available volunteer opportunities at the Club. I was greeted by the smiling faces of two young girls, probably around 11 years of age who were my official tour guides that afternoon. Along the way, I met several volunteers, program coordinators and an abundance of kids, ranging from elementary to high school aged participating in different activities. I spoke to many Club kids as I visited various areas of the Club only to be greeted by so many genuinely happy and talented students.
When you enter the Club after school, everyone participates in Power Hour, which is a one-hour homework assistance and reading session that occurs daily. Annual statistics reported by the Family & Children's Center show improved grades and standardized test scores as a direct result of the Club's efforts in helping students realize their full potential. After Power Hour, Club kids gravitate to other activities, ranging from free play in the gymnasium to the Literacy Room, an area for Club members to read and write, as well as those needing additional assistance with their homework. As I was led through the Club's Art program, Ms. Gill, the Arts & Crafts Instructor, proudly told me that two students had placed 1st regionally for their photography and would soon be competing at the national level.
Shortly thereafter, one of my tour guides excitedly showed me some of the new playground equipment that she said she could see from where she lived and then pointed to what I thought was the YWCA of North Central Indiana, an organization, that offers support to women, their children and their families threatened by domestic violence or chemical dependency. I assumed she was living in one of the houses nearby as my attention quickly shifted to her laughing as she went down the slide. It wasn't until later in conversation that I realized that she had in fact pointed to the YWCA of North Central Indiana as her home.
What I find remarkable is how organizations that receive support from the United Way are so intertwined with their service offering as they strive towards the same common goal- assisting families by promoting success in the classroom, educating them on good health and nutrition and most importantly teaching significant life skills to replicate at home. A donation, no matter the amount, is critical in the lives of so many in our community. With a donation of $18.50, the YWCA of North Central Indiana can provide one night of housing, food and counseling services to a female victim fleeing from domestic violence. A donation of $40.00 allows anyone between the ages of 6 and 18 who is in kindergarten through 12th grade a Boys & Girls Club membership for one year. Please consider donating to the United Way this holiday season. "Inspire Hope. Make an Impact. Take Action. Live United."
Katie Toothaker & Family
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Pacesetter Update
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Except for four companies the Pacesetter campaign is concluded. However those four companies represent a projected total of approximately $309,000! We have already received $346,700 in Pacesetter donations to date. When adding the anticipated $309,000 to what is already in, we are projecting a 2010 Pacesetter Campaign total of $655,700! That would compare favorably to a 2009 total of $613,800 for the same companies, or $41,900 more this year than in 2009. From a percentage standpoint, our Pacesetter companies are 7.5% ahead of last year, all assumptions being applied.
Compliments of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, two Employee Campaign Managers whose companies achieved at least an overall 10% increase from 2009 won a 32" LCD High Definition flat-screen LCD television and a mobile GPS unit from Best Buy. Congratulations to El Campito for winning the TV and the Chamber of Commerce for winning the GPS system!
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