The Giver’s Ledger December: Honoring Service, Strengthening Community
First Published: Volume I, Issue 10 by NINA NEEDLEMAN | Deccember 27, 2025
The Giver’s Ledger is a monthly newsletter covering educational topics of Philanthropy, Finance, & DEIA.
Veteran’s Community Project was founded in Kansas City MO in 2016 by veterans who wanted to provide homeless veterans with a home of their own and wrap around case management services to help them back on their feet. In St. Louis, VCP has been serving veterans on their 4-acre campus since 2023. They built 50 tiny homes – 40 were 240 square foot single occupancy homes and 10 were 320 square foot family homes. Additionally, they built an outreach center and a Village education, training,and connection center, all a mile from the Cochran VA medical center. 429 veterans have been served so far, 85% of whom positively transitioned to sustainable permanent housing.
Jason Kandor, a former Missouri Secretary of State and MO state rep and decorated U.S. Army veteran, says VCP saved his life. When he was suffering from PTSD, the VA was not going to be able to get him into see a therapist for many months. VCP stepped in within a week with services. VCP is a catalyst for change for veterans in the entire bi-state region. READ MORE HERE.
PHILANTHROPY/PERSONAL FINANCE TIPS
MORE TAX SMART TIPS YEAR-END GIVING
It’s too late to make a DAF year-end donation. The DAF operations folks can’t process in time.
There is still time to donate highly appreciated stocks or investments. You can probably get a tax deduction for the full market value and avoid capital gains tax. (Do verify with your CPA).
Two steps:
1) Call your charity of choice and ask them for their broker name, firm name, phone number, account number.
2) Call your broker, select a position, E-sign a form to release the position, and they can do an electronic transfer of the position to the charity. 1-2 business days.
Another idea is to fund/transfer appreciated assets or cash to your Donor Advised Fund now, to queue up funds you can grant out in January or later next year.
If your CPA says you can donate more, cash/credit card always works from the DONATE NOW button on nonprofit websites.
UPCOMING NON-PROFIT TRAININGS OF VALUE
Feb 10 – Basics of Financial Management (virtual) – Network for Strong Communities Register HERE
Feb 10 – Developing a Fundraising Plan (virtual) – Network for Strong Communities Register HERE
For Chronicle of Philanthropy’s 2025 Planned Giving report, CLICK HERE (note top 5 findings are on pages 9-10).
Stanford Social Innovation Review – Most Popular Articles of 2025
Excellent new book by nonprofit thought leader Vu Le: Reimagining Nonprofits and Philanthropy
“What would it be like to have a friendly, smart and funny unicorn come over and sit next to you and chat for a couple of hours about your life working in nonprofits? Vu Le is that unicorn and his book is full of fun and extremely on-target, pointed essays on grantwriting, budgets, burning bridges and more.”
―Jan Masaoka, Co-Chair, Philanthropy Project
EVENTS OF INTEREST
January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Awareness month. It focuses on awareness about modern day slavery and human trafficking, education, prevention.
January 16 - Martin Luther King Day
January 27 - International Holocaust Remembrance Day
January 30-31 is Rise & Run Women’s Political Empowerment Workshop at Lindenwood University.
February is Black History Month.
Black History Month panel at Shaw’s Garden February 3, 2026; 8:00am-9:30am. Forum: the Power of Presence: Leaders Inspiring What’s Next. Panel will: Explore how black leaders are shaping a more inclusive and equitable SL. Engage in meaningful dialogue on legacy, innovation, collective progress and more. Reservations HERE
Millcreek Valley/ Black Metropolis Exhibit has opened at the Missouri History Museum.
Other Community Resources:
To find and support Black-owned businesses in the St. Louis region visit FOR THE CULTURE STL
Forward Through Ferguson - Community Update. This nonprofit came into being after murder of Michael Brown. Big recommendation report 2015 work since to promote racial equity. (31- minute video) WATCH HERE
Nina Needleman is a Retired Financial Planner. She spent the first three-decades of her career in the financial services industry. Now she uses her business skills to help nonprofit organizations with Capacity Building and more importantly--as an educator, teaching people about personal finance and philanthropy.