Will the Fiscal Cliff Put Abilene Non-Profit Organizations In Danger?
By: Marlisa Goldsmith
Updated: November 28, 2012
With the fiscal cliff looming fundraising for many non-profits is crucial.
"We're not incredibly worried about the tax deduction situation that could be coming," says Bethany Ashlock, the community impact director of United Way of Abilene.
That is because the United Way is making preparations to avoid any problems that could potentially arise.
"To be proactive for what is ahead, we are giving the people the option to give for our 2014 and 2015 campaigns," Ashlock says.
Not all non-profit organizations in Abilene are without worry.
Faithworks of Abilene says they are being diligent in how they budget their funds.
Joyce Dalzell says, "The money is certainly important. We can't do this without the people and the relationships that come with that."
Which is why employees are in the process of stuffing envelopes to mail to current and potential donors, to ensure services provided by the organization will be available to those who need them.
"This could be a big deal for the recipients of the services of Faithworks for the men and women who come here to be trained to go to work."
No one knows if congress will be able to reach an agreement, and because the future is so uncertain, many cannot help but wonder what will happen to these local services that people depend on.
"Often when a person is in school here they are also struggling to pay rent or utilities or a doctor bill," Dalzell says.
If these tax cuts were to be made, many who are coming off of government assistance would return and the daunting cycle would simply repeat itself.
"It would be sad. It would be a turnaround. It would be a u-turn back to a place we've been and aren't moving from," Dalzell adds.
"We're not incredibly worried about the tax deduction situation that could be coming," says Bethany Ashlock, the community impact director of United Way of Abilene.
That is because the United Way is making preparations to avoid any problems that could potentially arise.
"To be proactive for what is ahead, we are giving the people the option to give for our 2014 and 2015 campaigns," Ashlock says.
Not all non-profit organizations in Abilene are without worry.
Faithworks of Abilene says they are being diligent in how they budget their funds.
Joyce Dalzell says, "The money is certainly important. We can't do this without the people and the relationships that come with that."
Which is why employees are in the process of stuffing envelopes to mail to current and potential donors, to ensure services provided by the organization will be available to those who need them.
"This could be a big deal for the recipients of the services of Faithworks for the men and women who come here to be trained to go to work."
No one knows if congress will be able to reach an agreement, and because the future is so uncertain, many cannot help but wonder what will happen to these local services that people depend on.
"Often when a person is in school here they are also struggling to pay rent or utilities or a doctor bill," Dalzell says.
If these tax cuts were to be made, many who are coming off of government assistance would return and the daunting cycle would simply repeat itself.
"It would be sad. It would be a turnaround. It would be a u-turn back to a place we've been and aren't moving from," Dalzell adds.
