UMaine’s Vision for Tomorrow comprehensive campaign exceeds $200 million goal
The University of Maine Vision for Tomorrow comprehensive campaign has exceeded its $200 million goal by more than $8 million, according to UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy and University of Maine Foundation President Jeffery N. Mills in announcing the successful completion of the record-setting fundraising effort.
The public phase of the campaign was announced in October 2017 with $121 million raised.
The comprehensive campaign that raised a total of $208,586,510 has four major priority areas — Fostering Student Success, Ensuring Access for All of Maine, Catalyzing Maine’s Economy, and Accelerating Discovery to Impact. Each area received significant investments.
- UMaine Needs Your Support
- Creating Planning Documents During a Pandemic
- The CARES Act & Charitable Giving
Our number one concern is that you and your family are safe and healthy.
This is a challenging time for everyone. Many of our alumni and friends have asked us what they can do to help. In these times, we come together to help where we can. The University of Maine will be facing tremendous financial challenges going forward, any gift that you make will help.
During these times of extraordinary need, Congress has made it easier to make charitable gifts in 2020. Under the CARES Act, even individuals who do not itemize will be allowed to claim a deduction of up to $300 for qualified charitable contributions. Under this new law, non-itemizing donors could receive this deduction in addition to the standard deduction.
Thank you for your consideration and take care,
Jeffery N. Mills ’82, Ph.D., President/CEO
University of Maine Foundation
We face uncertain and chaotic times. Perhaps, we also have more time on our hands given our efforts to observe social-distancing guidelines or shelter-in-place-orders. Whatever the exact reason, Google has reported that more people are searching for information about how to create a will than ever before. There has also been an increased interest in preparing lifetime documents such as advance health care directives and powers of attorney.
In March of 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act which provides new tax incentives to support giving at all levels:
- New Charitable Deduction for Non-Itemizers:
Most taxpayers now take the standard deduction on their federal income taxes rather than itemizing their deductions. The CARES Act allows donors to deduct up to $300 ($600 for married couples filing jointly) in cash gifts to qualified charities (like the UMaine Foundation) and still take the standard deduction amount. This does not apply to gifts to donor-advised funds.
Example: If you are a single taxpayer under the age of 65 and your itemized deductions for 2020 would total $7,500, you would probably claim the standard deduction of $12,400 for the year. If you give at least $300 in cash to qualifying charities during 2020, you can elect the standard deduction of $12,400 and also deduct $300 for a total deduction of $12,700.
- Increased Deduction Limits:
Individuals, in 2020, will be able to deduct cash gifts to qualified charities up to their entire adjusted gross income (up from 60% for 2019). Gifts to donor-advised funds do not qualify. The unused amount of a deduction may still be carried forward and used to the extent available in carryover years. Corporations, in 2020, may deduct up to 25% of pre-tax income (up from 10% for 2019).
Donors with multi-year pledges may choose to accelerate the payment of their pledge balance in 2020 in order to use their charitable deduction more quickly.
- Required Minimum Distributions Waived for 2020:
The SECURE Act, enacted in December 2019, increased the age at which IRA owners are required to take minimum distributions from 70½ years to 72 years. Under the CARES Act, required minimum distributions (RMD) from retirement accounts are suspended for 2020 regardless of the age of the owner. The rationale was to allow owners to reduce the amount they must take from accounts that may have been hard hit by market losses.
Those age 70½ or over may still make a tax-free transfer from an IRA directly to a charity through a qualified charitable distribution. The annual limit for such transfers remains $100,000 per year. Direct distributions to charity are not included in taxable income.
More information on fundraising initiatives:
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Gifts in Memory
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