Putting 2016 behind us with an eye on 2017 and beyond

Putting 2016 behind us with an eye on 2017 and beyond

The Arkansas legislature is wrapping up a very busy year. In 2016, we improved our health care system, diverted money to highway funding, and increased funding to foster care programs and education.

Now, we prepare for the new challenges of 2017.

Before we begin delving into new legislation, I want to take a moment to remind Arkansans what can help communities faster than any state program. That is the generosity of others.

It would be impossible for the state to meet the needs of every Arkansan if it were not for charitable giving.

Surveys have shown Arkansas ranks consistently as one of the top states for charitable giving. The median contribution for families is more than $4,500. Close to 4 percent of income in our state is directed to nonprofits.

Charitable donations are an excellent way to reduce your tax burden for the year, while doing something for the greater good.

Giving to charity can be rewarding. However, you should make sure that your charitable dollars are being used for your intended purpose. To protect consumers and to ensure that donations are used for the intended purpose, state law requires that most charitable organizations register with the Attorney General’s office prior to soliciting donations. The organization must provide financial information regarding the use of charitable dollars.

You can search the Arkansas Charities Database at www.arkansasag.gov.

In addition, the Charities Division of the Consumer Protection Division can provide information about the purpose of a charity, the amount of money a charity has raised in the past, the percentage of money collected that is used for charitable program services, the percentage that is used for administrative costs and whether the charity employs the services of a professional fundraiser.

As Maya Angelou once said, “When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.”

I hope each and every one of you has a very happy and blessed New Year.

From State Representative Deborah Ferguson