Heartland Community Foundation Awarded Tax Credits for WaKeeney Project
Pictured: City of WaKeeney elected officials & staff, community volunteers, and Kerri Falletti, Kansas Commerce—Quality Places Division, Tax Credits Program Manager
Heartland Community Foundation is pleased to announce they have received $182,000 in Community Service Program (CSP) Tax Credits through the Kansas Department of Commerce. The available tax credits will be used to enhance fundraising efforts for the Kelly Plaza Project in WaKeeney.
CSP is a popular program for Kansas nonprofits and public healthcare entities taking on major capital campaigns for projects involving children and family services, non-governmental crime prevention, youth apprenticeship and youth technical training and health care. Awarded nonprofits were chosen through a competitive application process. State tax credits reduce the total amount of taxes owed to the state. They are a way for taxpayers to substantially reduce the cost of contributing to this local project.
“We’re excited to collaborate with the WaKeeney community on this project,” said Savannah Downing, HCF Trego County Director. “As the nonprofit partner, we were able to help secure the Community Service Program tax credits, which will be a powerful tool in fundraising. They give businesses and individuals an incentive to invest in a project that will enhance downtown WaKeeney, preserve a piece of its history, and create a vibrant gathering place for years to come.”
The Kelly Plaza Project has a clear vision to restore the former Kelly Theatre site in WaKeeney into an open-air, multi-use community space. Phase I includes the addition of much-needed public restrooms, vital for the many festivals and events held in the downtown area. Phase II will create an entertainment area with a small stage for local performances, seating, and vendor spaces.
Project volunteers worked over several months to secure $263,000 in pledges as part of the tax credit application.
Businesses and individuals subject to Kansas income tax are eligible to receive a tax credit through this program. Donors giving at least $250 to the Kelly Plaza Project may qualify for a 70% tax credit. For example, a donor making a $1,000 gift receives a $700 tax credit when they file their state taxes, making the net cost to the donor only $300.
“CSP amplifies the mission of awarded community service organizations and their projects by encouraging donations through the benefit of state tax credits,” said Matt Godinez, Assistant Secretary of Quality Places. “When you donate to an awarded CSP project, you have the opportunity to support a project and receive a state tax credit to reduce your taxable income.”
HCF extends its sincere appreciation to the members of the Heartland Advisory Board and the Greater Salina Community Foundation Board for their support and approval of Heartland's application on behalf of this local project.
We also thank the Greater Salina Community Foundation staff for their guidance and assistance throughout the application process and beyond, as well as the City of WaKeeney for its support of this volunteer-led community project and its commitment to helping bring the vision to life.
If you or your business is interested in donating to the Kelly Plaza Project, please reach out to Savannah at 785-743-3270 or email savannah@gscf.org.
