 Starting this year, Habitat for Humanity of Illinois appears on the
Schedule G state income tax form for voluntary charitable
contributions, turning tax time into an unlikely fundraising
opportunity.
Bob Chamberlain, president of Habitat for Humanity of Logan
County affiliate, said: "This can be a wonderful opportunity for all
the Habitat affiliates in Illinois. The additional funds generated
from IL Schedule G will allow more Illinois families in need of safe
and adequate housing to be lifted out of substandard living
conditions."
Taxpayers may designate any amount $1 or greater (no maximum) to
Habitat for Humanity of Illinois on Line K of their Schedule G form
to be deducted from their refund or added to their tax due. Even
small donations can add up to a significant amount, considering that
there are 5 million Illinois tax returns filed annually. This is not
money taken out of the state budget. Instead, it is taxpayers
reaching out with their donations to support Habitat's mission to
eliminate substandard housing.
In this difficult economy, poverty housing exists in every county
in Illinois. Many families must pay more than half of their monthly
income on inadequate or unsafe housing. A few minutes and a few
dollars donated by an Illinois taxpayer can help contribute to
moving more Illinois families out of poverty housing.
Habitat offers a hand up, not a handout. To qualify for a home,
each family must be living in inadequate, substandard housing. They
must be willing to put in 250 hours helping to construct their own
home and others' homes. In addition, a down payment is required and
the family must be able to repay a zero-interest loan to purchase
the home.
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Improving housing benefits not only the family, but the community
as well by adding to the real estate tax rolls, improving
neighborhoods and increasing state taxes through the purchase of
building materials and furnishings.
Habitat hopes to reach the minimum donation threshold of $100,000
to stay in this tax checkoff program each year. Schedule G may be
downloaded at
www.habitatillinois.org.
___
About Habitat for Humanity of Logan County:
Habitat for Humanity of Logan County is a nonprofit Christian
housing ministry dedicated to building decent, affordable housing in
partnership with those in need in Logan County.
[Text from file received from
Habitat for Humanity of
Logan County]
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