Area nonprofits receive support through tax program

Two area nonprofits are among 66 who received $12.6 million, which the Missouri Department of Economic Development awarded for community development projects.

Healing Horses Therapeutic Riding Program in Linn received $308,735 in Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) credits to expand services offered to individuals with special needs, including therapeutic riding lessons for people with physical or developmental disabilities, and equine assistance therapy for children in foster care in the Osage County area.

Healing Horses received NAP credits in 2018 to help offer veterans therapy and foster care services for free, and to build its 15,000-square-foot arena.

NAP allows Missouri taxpayers to determine where their state tax dollars are used by donating to charitable organizations. Under NAP, a tax credit is issued equal to 50 or 70 percent of eligible contributions. The tax credit is used to offset an eligible donor’s state income tax liability, and is claimed when the donor files their Missouri tax return. The credit may be used against taxes owed for the year of the donation, plus five additional tax periods.

Healing Horses donors may receive 70 percent credits on state taxes.

Food for Morgan County Inc. will use $114,450 in NAP (70 percent) credits to renovate the facility’s aging roof and repave the facility’s crumbling parking lot. The repairs will allow Food for Morgan County to continue to provide nutritional support to 300-600 indigent families in the area on a weekly basis.

“NAP helps nonprofit organizations leverage private-sector funds by providing partial state tax credits to businesses that make contributions to approved community improvement projects,” a DED news release said. “During the Fiscal Year 2022 cycle, tax credits were reserved for organizations providing critical services, with priority given to projects providing job training, education, and those located in previ0usly under-served areas of the state. Other project types include crime prevention, community service projects and revitalization of community-based buildings and areas.”

The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri received $250,000 in 50 percent credit for its donors. The food bank will use the credits to distribute about 30 million pounds of food and supplies over the next year, reaching more than 100,000 food-insecure Missourians monthly, including children, seniors, veterans and families.

Love Columbia also received $250,000 in 50 percent credits, so the nonprofit might buy a 17,550-square-foot property currently leased for the Love Seat Furniture Bank. The bank provides free basic furniture and housewares needs for individuals and families in crisis or transition.

NAP has benefited a number of area nonprofits. In December 2018, DED awarded $4.7 million in grants to the Jefferson City YMCA to assist with the development and construction of the new Ashland location.