Charitable Giving

There are many reasons to give a charitable gift.

• Supporting the Cass County Council on Aging provides you with the opportunity to leave a legacy.  Your charitable contribution can have a long-lasting effect on Cass seniors and the community they live in.
• You are eligible to receive tax advantages for your donation.  The Cass COA is a non-profit 501(c) 3 corporation, so your gifts are tax deductible as allowed by law.
• You can directly benefit from your contribution by taking part in COA activities, services, and programs.
• Supporting the COA allows you to give back to your community and personally contribute to its success. “Pay it forward” through a gift to the COA!
• You can honor or acknowledge the life or memory of a loved one through memorial and honorarium giving.
• Your contribution is properly managed by a strong and sustainable organization. The COA dedicates more than 90 percent of its expenditures to programs and services.  We strive to keep administrative costs to a minimum.
• Most COA programs and services are offered free of charge.

Please take a moment and consider how your support can impact the Cass community.  There are several giving options to choose from.  For further information, please contact Director of Development Bob Long directly at (800) 323-0390 or .

Donations to the COA may be made in the form of a check or cash.  Please consider the following areas when making your gift:

Annual Campaign:

The Annual Campaign is a yearly campaign, which is primarily held in the fall.  The purpose of this campaign is to raise funds for general operating expenses, which include facilities, programs and services.

Memorials and Honorariums:

The COA provides many options for donors who wish to acknowledge their loved ones.

• Memorials recognize the life and legacy of a deceased friend or loved one.
• Honorariums are appropriate to honor an individual on their birthday, anniversary, graduation, retirement, or other joyful milestone in one’s life.

Endowment Fund:

The Endowment Fund is attractive to donors because of its stability and sustainability. The COA has an Endowment Fund at the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation.  If you are interested in contributing to the COA Endowment Fund, please contact the COA or the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation at (269) 695-3521.

Planned Giving:

Planned giving may take many forms with bequests (wills) being one of the more popular options.  The importance of planned giving rests with the idea that you will be providing for your loved ones and your community for many years to come.

Like many other sizable donations, planned giving should be discussed with your financial advisor or a legal professional who can assist in guiding you through the giving experience.

For further information regarding planned giving, please contact Director of Development, Bob Long at (800) 323-0390 or .

Special Events:

At the Cass County Council on Aging, we like to think that all of our events are special. However, once or twice each year, we combine classic COA "fun" with "fundraising."

In the past, we have hosted successful fundraisers for Hurricane Katrina victims (2005), COA Kitchen Expansion (2006), Project Lifesaver (2007), Home Care (2008), and Meals on Wheels (2009 and 2010). Last year's fall fundraiser, "Pig Out for Meals On Wheels II," raised more than $15,000.

Presently, we are preparing for this year's event, entitled "Goal Line Celebration." Set for November 5, Goal Line Celebration will benefit the Dowagiac Center Capital Campaign.

For more information on Goal Line Celebration, click here.
For more information on the Dowagiac Capital Campaign, click here.

Each Spring, the COA hosts a Trivia Night. Proceeds from this night of intellectual stimulation benefit the COA's Handy Helpers Program.

The COA prides itself in offering unique and entertaining events. Individuals and business who wish to underwrite or sponsor events at the COA are always welcome.

Advertising:

Each month the COA sends out over 7,600 Messengers to households in Cass County and beyond.  Businesses and organizations who advertise in the Messenger are responsible for its success. 

If you or your organization serve people 55 years or older in Cass County and are interested in advertising in the messenger, please contact Communications Coordinator, Annette McCullin at (800) 323-0390 or .

Visit our Communications Department information page.