We are in a season of thankfulness here at GoodLife. As you know, for more than 40 years we have been working hard to make a meaningful difference in the everyday lives of seniors, individuals with disabilities, and those who support them. We are humbled that the industry is taking notice of that hard work. In 2016, we were selected by Autism Speaks as the most innovative service model internationally. In 2020, The National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals recognized our best practices in workforce development with the 2020 Moving Mountains Award. And most recently, GoodLife was awarded $192,500 in Kansas Community Service Tax Credits.
Generosity gives back
Why are we telling you about this great news? It’s because we believe the importance of these awards extends far beyond kudos — this recognition is fueling even more innovation at GoodLife and we are excited to invite you to join us in making an impact. Thanks to the Kansas Department of Commerce, we will be able to give a tax credit incentive to donors this year, which will generate more capacity for us to accomplish some important growth initiatives.
In other words, this program will help GoodLife generate almost $400,000 in donations because we can offer a 50% Kansas tax credit for eligible gifts. That means that you could get a refund of 50% of your donation (even if you have no Kansas tax liability). A $1,000 donation, for example, would receive $500 tax credit on your Kansas tax return; a $5,000 donation would receive a $2,500 credit, and so on.
Additionally, the full donation can be deducted from your federal tax return if you itemize your federal deductions. The combination of state tax credit and federal deduction (for those that itemize) can allow you to make a huge impact at GoodLife for a very small investment.
Initiatives that make a difference
Your donations are important to us because we have big plans for the future. Historically, GoodLife is willing to change direction when a new course will yield better results. As our CEO Mike Strouse says, “recognizing how we can shift our models to reflect more organic ways of doing life is a positive outcome of the pandemic. And we always like to find the positive in the midst of challenges.” As we look ahead, we are focused on three primary initiatives driven by the need for change:
- Expanding the Neighborhood Network to support more individuals from diverse populations, including those that are 55+ years old, in their own homes.
- Refining and expanding iLink to empower residents with self-direction and replicating this model within other settings (like natural and foster families) or for other service providers and partners.
- Expanding the number of children served at Johnson County Montessori School and North Star Academy and expanding remote behavioral support for these families.
We are redefining what’s possible for seniors and people with disabilities, and we cannot do it without your support. It’s apparent that the work we do, especially during COVID-19, is vital. Extreme need requires extraordinary solutions — and we hope you’ll consider helping us turn our initiatives into action. Be on the lookout for more information coming soon about how your gift to GoodLife could qualify for a tax credit. And thank you for always showing up when we need you, like #GivingTuesday when you supported our incredible direct support professionals.
Every donation helps! To be eligible for tax credits, a minimum donation of $250 is required. If you’re considering a large donation, thank you for your generosity! Please reach out to us before you give so we can make sure you receive all tax credits available.
