Donor News (Aug 27, 2018)

A TRVFA Testimonial

Posted by Dr. Honora A Norton

For several years, I have been facilitating TRVFA Rotary Club of Scottsdale's sponsored scholarships to low income working poor, especially men and single mothers struggling to survive on multiple low paying part-time jobs with no benefits. Each applicant that I have met is deserving, eager to learn and ready to make productive career moves after completing his/her TRVFA funded courses at Trade Schools which encompass a wide variety of hands-on education, from HVAC to carpentry to cosmetology.

A college degree or vocational training beyond high school are necessary tools to obtain a well paying job. The days when a person graduated from high school, entered the workforce, and stayed with the same company until she or he retired are over. The cost of college tuition and books is prohibitive for many people in low income households who wish to better themselves by furthering their education. TRVFA scholarships give them the leg up to provide for themselves and their families. TRVFA provides financial aid to those who need it most. I am honored to support TRVFA and its blessed workings.

Dr. Norton is an advisor to the TRVFA Board of Directors

New IRS Regulation Impacts Tax Credit Donations

TIME SENSITIVE

One of our donors, who is a CPA, has advised us that a colleague had shared information about a new regulation which came out August 23. His peer believed the regulation would impact tax credit donations. If the information he received is correct, effective August 28, donors will be allowed to either take a tax credit on their state taxes or claim a charitable donation on their IRS return, but will no longer be able to do both. His information indicated donations made by August 27 could still qualify for both. To be certain you can verify you made a tax credit donation by the 27th of August, the CPA recommended making any such donations on line. Please understand, we are passing this on, but do not have ready access to information to verify such a regulatory change has been made. In case you planned to donate to us this year, and want to be on the safe side, we've made donating on line easy - go to donate.trvfa.org.

Dan Messersmith elected TRVFA President at Annual Meeting

The TRVFA board met Saturday, August 25 for their annual meeting and election of officers. Lee Dueringer, who has served the board as President since 2015, will remain on the board and wants to focus his volunteer efforts on fundraising for TRVFA going forward. The board was enthusiastic in their appreciation of his service as President and his desire to focus his time and talent where our need is greatest at this time.

Dan Messersmith was elected to fill the vacancy. Dan has been a dedicated TRVFA volunteer since 2010, He has been the responsible party for processing all grant applications since he was instrumental in converting to an on-line grant application process in 2012.

Steve DeMar, Secretary and Eileen Klecka, Treasurer were each elected to continue in their positions for the 2018-19 year.

TRVFA Needs Donor and Club Support

The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona Board wants to thank the top giving clubs in each District in our 2017-18 fiscal year. These two clubs excelled in their understanding of how they could support vocational service and alleviate poverty in our local communities through TRVFA. Mesa West Rotarians donated a total of $11,825. Individual Tucson Rotarians donated a total of $11,820, but with their club's additional donation of $2,000, their total contribution was $13,820. There were only five other clubs in the state with total giving over $5,000.