The 2024 Little Swiss Fund grant awards will distribute a total of $553,629 to 15 nonprofit organizations serving Highland County. The fund began in 2018 with a $10 million gift from an anonymous donor. Monies from the permanently endowed fund are annually invested and distributed to eligible 501 (c)(3) organizations through a competitive grant process […]
The all-volunteer staff at the Blue Ridge Free Clinic are expert readers of body language. Perhaps it’s a slight shift of posture or a glance to the side when a prescription is handed over or the suggestion is made to purchase special food or formula. “They’ll look away and you can tell,” said Donna […]
Charitable giving is always an important strategy to discuss with your clients. Many high net worth individuals are philanthropic, of course, and charitable gifts reduce taxable income and avoid estate taxes. Charitable giving strategies are particularly relevant as you and your clients address the possibility of increases in income and capital gains taxes for high […]
Many eyes are on the election aftermath seeking clues about what might happen to the tax laws. Of particular interest is the much-analyzed sunset of the higher estate tax exemption, scheduled for the end of 2025 absent intervening legislation. “Absent intervening legislation” is the key, of course. The November 2024 elections will not immediately change […]
Here’s a few tips summarized from the October WSVA radio show with Executive Director Revlan Hill. 1. Do your homework before you give. “Learn a little bit about the organization. Who are the board members? What is that organization accomplishing? How many people are they serving? What are they doing with their money? What is […]
A new giving option with The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham offers an efficient way for donors to benefit from Qualified Charitable Distributions and help our local nonprofits. By allowing TCF to do the work, donors save time and energy, and experience the rewards of hassle-free giving. How does it work? Donors or their […]
Many of your philanthropy-minded clients enjoy attending fundraising events for their favorite charities. Especially as community events start ramping up this fall, you’ll want to be aware of a little wrinkle in the IRS rules that may surprise your clients so much that they ask you about it. Here’s how this might go. Client: “We […]
Humans crave certainty, and that is certainly not what we have right now during election season, especially where taxes are concerned. Your clients who support charitable causes may be wondering how the election outcomes might impact their philanthropic plans. You’re probably wondering that, too! It is impossible to predict tax law changes, and that will […]
UPDATE 10/17/2025: The fund has raised a total of $63,150 for relief efforts. Dukes Support Mountaineers, a new charitable fund opened this week by The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham, welcomes donations to support Appalachian State University’s disaster relief efforts. The fund was started by James Madison University alumni and patrons Joe and Debbie […]
In early September, Anna Wagner found herself putting in some long days in a two-week stretch. Wagner, director of accounting at The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham, finished a major phase of the annual audit and turned immediately towards prepping for the Finance, Administration, and Operations Group (FAOG) national conference. On Sept. 10, she […]
