DECEMBER NEWSLETTER | MF’s Generosity Heroes
Friends,
Phew! We've wrapped up our busiest season. With year-end tasks for Modernist's clients completed, now we're centering gratitude and reflection as we launch into a new year.
2022 brought some exciting milestones: launching the Modernist Donor in Movement Fund, growing our team, and increasing our impact with our biggest philanthropic gifts to date.
We have our community to thank for helping us achieve these big goals; we are so grateful for you.
Here’s to 2023,
Georgia + Team Modernist
free tools for the people
Over on our blog, Modernist University, we’ve got a list of the personal documents to keep and which to shred. Download our printable ledger, so you and your people will know where you put your #&*^$ Social security card!
In $$$ maintenance news, the IRS has increased how much you can save for retirement in 2023. Check out our updated 2023 Tax Guide with new max contributions + important year-end planning and tax deadlines!
Structure Your Wealth Around Your Values
This was a big year of growth at Modernist. Excitingly, as the firm has expanded, our philanthropic impact has grown too, with our biggest gifts to date made in 2022.
We love to connect folks with the Oregon IDA Initiative’s work to build financial stability and wealth equality through education, coaching, and savings matching opportunities.
If you owe Oregon tax for 2022, 90% of your donation is returned to you as an Oregon State tax credit, and the remaining 10% can be taken as a charitable contribution.
There is still ~$600k available, so there's still room to get in on this community-changing initiative before the end of the year!
good news: let’s keep going
Reproductive justice is a core focus for Seeding Justice, who shared in their fabulous annual report that Oregon is the most protective US state for reproductive rights. (Awesome and awful simultaneously, right?!?)
While we’re grateful for our state’s protections, there is still so much work to do.
Se-ah-dom Edmo, Executive Director of Seeding Justice, contributed thoughts to the Stanford Social Innovation Review on the importance of centering and investing in those most impacted by abortion restrictions. Give it a read here.
FUND YOUR HEROES
Are you in a place to make end-of-year gifts? We turn to the Fall 2022 list of Grantees from Seeding Justice when doling out the dollars. Giving to these organizations means you’re empowering grassroots efforts led by those most impacted by injustice:
75% are BIPOC led
88% have budgets < $500,000
69% serve communities outside of the Portland Metro area
modernist takes it outside
What a year it's been! Thanks to Portland Business Journal for the accolades and thanks to HBO’s We Are Here (👆👑👑👑) for reminding us that a more loving, compassionate world is possible.
🏆 #28 Oregon’s Most Admired Companies, Financial Services
🏆 #10 Largest LGBTQ+ Owned Business
🏆 #17 Most Generous Corporate Philanthropists
🏆 #40 Largest Money Management Firms
🏆 #79 Largest Women-Owned Business
🏆 Portland Inno Early Riser
🏆 PBJ x Workplace Change - Game Changer
Georgia was included in 100 Diverse Voices on Parenthood alongside an incredible roster of voices! In it, she shared the importance of talking to kids about money, plus practical financial tips for parents.
Thanks Jelani Memory and the A Kids Book About team for the opportunity to share a queer-child-free-CFP’s perspective on money and kids!
🎁 Gift a copy to a family you love!
A SONG THAT IS REALLY ABOUT generosity
We thought it was fitting to round out the year with one of our biggest Generosity Heroes: Dolly!
We dare you to keep a dry eye when listening to Dolly’s “Coat of Many Colors”, a story about a poor Appalachian family who finds warmth and riches in a coat made with a momma’s love:
And I tried to make them see / That one is only poor / Only if they choose to be
Now I know we had no money / But I was rich as I could be
In my coat of many colors / My momma made for me / Made just for me