Donate to STARS and take the credit!

Posted By Les Conklin on Oct 10, 2016

October 10, 2016

Dear STARS Supporters,

As you know, STARS was begun 43 years ago by extraordinary individuals determined to improve the lives of people with cognitive and developmental disabilities. Today, I am asking you to help support this outstanding organization through the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit program – a near-painless way to provide significant funding for STARS. But first, let me tell you more about STARS.

STARS offers meaningful programs and job opportunities which enhance the lives of the people it serves. You may have seen STARS’ participants bagging your groceries at Fry’s. And if you have a Cox remote control in your house, the chances are very good that it was refurbished by a STARS participant working at one of STARS’ two campuses in Scottsdale. Our participants are paid for their work, and they feel the same sense of purpose and fulfillment that you and I feel after a good day’s work. In addition, STARS offers a great variety of programs to its participants – cooking classes, music classes, interesting field trips – and STARS has a vibrant and growing Youth Program. It takes significant resources for STARS to provide the breadth and quality of these programs. As our Board Chair, Will Humble, the father of a young man with a developmental disability notes, – “STARS provides a level of comfort with its network of services that is so important to parents – it is a true safety net and one that we are so grateful exists.”

STARS provides extraordinary value in building the confidence and nurturing the abilities of individuals with cognitive and developmental disabilities.We want STARS to be a part of the fabric of our community for many years to come. To achieve that, STARS could use your help today.

A few years ago, Arizona created the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit program which allows taxpayers in the state to direct contributions to qualifying charities (STARS is a qualifying charity) and to get a credit against their Arizona state income tax obligation equal to the amount of their donation (subject to certain limitations). This year (2016 tax year), Arizona is doubling the maximum amount of the tax credit for certain types of donations.

Here is how the program works: You have the opportunity to donate $400 ($800 if filing jointly) to STARS and claim a like amount as a CREDIT against your state taxes. You can send STARS a check (STARS 7507 E. Osborn Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85251) or go to the STARS website (www.starsaz.org/taxcredit) and donate online. Please keep in mind you have the ability to pay up to the stated amounts in increments between now and April 15, 2017. You will then receive a thank you note from STARS indicating that your donation may be used as a credit against your state taxes.

In short, there are no real downsides to this charitable giving opportunity. We ask you to please donate to STARS and take the credit.

If you have any questions about STARS or this charitable giving opportunity, or if you would like to see STARS’ staff and participants in action please contact me at agray@starsaz.org. I will be happy to give you a tour and introduce you to our participants and staff at STARS.

Thank you for your interest and dedication to STARS. Please consider donating TODAY!

Sincerely,

Anne Gray
Director of Advancement
Scottsdale Training and Rehabilitation Services (STARS)
7507 E. Osborn Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85251