Donations aid Kinderhaven

SANDPOINT — April is not only the month of taxes but also of child abuse prevention, a fact that Kinderhaven officials hope that residents will remember when they file.

A foster and emergency care shelter for abused children, Kinderhaven is a nonprofit charity especially reliant on the generosity of the community. Fortunately, the government has granted donations to the organization special status to remember on tax day.

 “Donations to Kinderhaven have a special status in that Idaho residents are able to deduct charitable gifts in the same manner as they can with the IRS,” Kinderhaven President Kim Diercks said.

Gifts to Kinderhaven also receive a credit against income that only applies to a handful of charities.

“A $400 contribution to Kinderhaven may cost you as little as $57 out-of-pocket and keeps your tax dollars here in Sandpoint,” board member Ruth Wimberly said.  “We encourage people to consult with their tax advisor to determine what their exact tax benefit would be.”

Tax incentives are a handy tool for an organization that covers 86 percent of its yearly budget — between $210,000 and $240,000 — with community support. According to Kinderhaven Executive Director Phyllis Horvath, the organization receives a small government stipend for each child under their care that covers only a fraction of operation costs.

“Its similar to what a foster family would get,” she said. “There’s no way it could cover the shelter’s costs.”

Reliable financial planning for Kinderhaven is difficult based on the unpredictable levels of community need. On Monday, the organization had six children under its care, but that number could fluctuate wildly within days. Last year, Kinderhaven cared for an average of 10 kids a day but at times had over 20 under their roof. Since the shelter needs to keep at least two staff members on site 24 hours a day when more than eight children are present, expenses vary from day to day.

And like everyone else, Kinderhaven is a victim of the recession.

“People are very generous, but everyone is affected by this downturn in the economy,” Horvath said.

Organization officials are now extending fundraising efforts past their traditional Festival of Trees to include summertime efforts. In April, they’re planning to increase awareness of child abuse with a series of initatives, including wristbands, fundraisers, community interactions and banners.

Despite the tough times, Kinderhaven officials are committed to preserving the quality of services they’ve maintained since 1996. According to Horvath, they have the people of Bonner County to thank for that.

“The community has just been incredible in supporting us,” she said.