Pictures: Members of the Horticulture Therapy's "Green Thumb Club" hard at work!
Residents of West Virginia who want to donate to a worthy cause and save on their state income taxes at the same time should consider a donation to the Cortland Foundation.
The West Virginia Development Office awarded $5,000 in special tax credits through the Neighborhood Investment Program to the Cortland Foundation in 2023.
“Money donated to the Foundation through this program will be used to support our Horticulture Therapy Project,” said Crystal Boone, director of the non-profit foundation. “The ‘Horticulture Therapy’ program is beneficial for activities of daily living and for social engagement. Among the benefits that studies have found are: positive changes in eating, a sense of connection to family, the past and themselves; increased social interaction and self-confidence; interest in the future, and awareness of their physical environment. Horticulture Therapy groups offer a low stress setting where people can make decisions, even something as simple as selecting a preferred plant color, a pepper over a tomato, or where they would like to sit in the space reinforcing the resident’s decision making”.
The tax credits are awarded at a rate of up to 50 percent. Businesses or individuals who make at least a $500 donation to the Cortland Foundation can receive a tax credit of $250.
“After the donation, participants in the program will receive a tax credit voucher that lists the amount of the contribution,” Boone said. “We currently have $1,000 left in tax credits that we would like to get committed. Any interested businesses or individuals should feel free to contact me with questions or inquiries.”
Donations can be sent to the Cortland Foundation, Attn: Crystal Boone, 39 Cortland Acres Lane, Thomas, WV 26292. Or, for more information contact Boone at 304-463-4181 or cboone@cortlandacres.org
The Neighborhood Investment Program is different from a traditional tax deduction because rather than decreasing total taxable income, it’s actually a credit applied to the amount of state tax owed. Donors may use the tax credit to reduce liability for Corporate Net Income Tax, Business Franchise Tax, or personal income tax.
“We are honored to once again participate in the Neighborhood Investment Program and offer our donors tax credits that promote the addition of programs at Cortland Acres,” Boone said. “Tax credits help donors make sizable gifts that will benefit the Cortland community this year, and forever.”
The Neighborhood Investment Program is designed to increase charitable giving to nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations. The Cortland Foundation used donations from last year’s Neighborhood Investment Program to fund the Music Therapy program at Cortland Acres.
Each year, the West Virginia Legislature sets aside money for NIP tax credits to help nonprofit organizations that are serving distressed neighborhoods and at-risk populations. Donors can use the tax credits to reduce liability for West Virginia Personal Income Tax or Corporate Net Income Tax by up to 50% annually. Credits may be used over a five-year period.
The Cortland Acres campus includes a 94-bed long-term care facility, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation programs, rental apartments in Pineview and garden and patio homes in The Pines. For more information about The Pines or Cortland Acres or to set up an appointment for a tour of the facility, call 304-463-4181 ext. 203, or visit www.cortlandacres.org.