Charities benefit from rush to donate by year’s end

Today is the last day to make donations that can qualify for 2015 tax deductions.

With the year coming to a close, area charities are seeing a rush of people donating cash, stock and items to take advantage of last-minute tax write-offs, according to area non-profit officials.

“Just today we had a couple hundred thousand dollars come in the door,” said United Way of Greater Dayton CEO Tom Maultsby on Wednesday. “We had a couple people who were calling us about being able to make the donation before the tax deadline.”

The United Way offices are closed Thursday. But Maultsby said givers can donate online or rush a check to the post office and get it in this tax year, as long as it’s post-dated prior to midnight.

Kim Bramlage, retail donations manager for Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley, said Wednesday the company is busy this time of year because people want to get their donations in before Dec. 31 in order to qualify for their 2015 taxes.

Goodwill accepts all kinds of donations, including clothes, household items, computers, accessories and cars, Bramlage said.

“We are here, staffed and ready to accept donations,” Bramlage said.

Goodwill stores and donation centers will be open until 4 p.m. Thursday, and the auto auction office will be open until 3 p.m. Thursday. Goodwill will provide donors with a receipt and a values brochure to help itemize their donations.

Those who are interested in donating a vehicle can call 937-228-AUTO (2886) to make the proper arrangements and have the vehicle towed for free. As long as the title is notarized over to Goodwill before the end of the year, it qualifies for a tax deduction in 2015.

Goodwill covers 23 counties and has 27 retail locations. Bramlage said 86 cents of every dollar made on sales supports Goodwill’s programs and services.

“When you donate to Goodwill, the proceeds from our sales of those items stay in the community,” Bramlage said. “You can feel good about donating to Goodwill knowing that you’re helping others in need, particularly this time of year.”

Joe Baldasare, vice president of development at the Dayton Foundation, said many people donate stocks to the charitable funds at his agency at the end of the year, which allows them to give to charity without paying capital gains taxes. He said saving money on taxes helps prompt people to give, but he doesn’t think it’s the main reason people open their wallets this time of year.

“Maybe it’s just part of the Christmas spirit, part of holiday giving,” he said. “It’s when people are in that giving spirit.”

Staff writers John Bedell and Josh Sweigart contributed to this story.

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