New Funds Also Allow Donors to Benefit from Major New State Tax Credits in 2023
On the 60th anniversary of Older Americans Month, Methodist Senior Services (MSS) honors Mississippi elders with a promise to continue its mission of serving older adults in the spirit of Christian love.
Through its 60-year history, MSS has been dedicated to enabling Mississippi elders to age with dignity and financial security. To ensure the organization can continue to meet these financial needs, MSS has established new endowment funds that will allow donors to give directly to help senior residents at its local senior communities across Mississippi.
These funds go into interest-bearing accounts, whose proceeds help cover the costs for residents who have outlived their resources—through no fault of their own. Here’s how it works.
The MSS endowment funds are inspired by a new state tax credit program that incentivizes individuals, businesses and organizations to make lasting investments in their local communities through charitable giving. Beginning this year, donors can receive a tax credit equal to 25 percent of their gifts from their Mississippi state taxes. It’s a win-win for donors, for senior residents and their families called Endow Mississippi.
“In our 60-year history, we’ve never had to turn any resident out due to their lack of funds,“ said MSS CEO Steve McAlilly. “Our new funds will allow us to continue that unbroken record of allowing residents to remain in their homes, should they outlive their funds. That’s important to us—and them.”
MSS is excited to offer this opportunity through the Community Foundation of NW MS with funds for Wesley Meadows in Hernando. So far, MSS has opened 10 endowed funds through the following foundations (followed by senior community and locale):
Endowments aren’t new at MSS. Since 1992, Methodist Senior Services has grown an internal endowment as a way to generate interest income to provide security and quality of life for senior residents. That’s the year that Tupelo legend, Henry Brevard, recognized the value of investing in the ministry’s security and future and helped start the first MSS general endowment.
“These new community foundation endowments will help us reach new donors and also allow current donors to access and benefit from the wonderful Endow Mississippi tax credit,“ said Brittany Cuevas, Vice President of Philanthropy. “We are thrilled to partner with community foundations across the state.”
A limited number of credits will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, so donors should act promptly. Individuals interested in donating to the new MSS endowment funds should visit the Endow Mississippi website. At that site interested persons can download applications for tax credits and detailed descriptions of how the new tax credits work.
Providing residents with life-time security has been a top priority with Methodist Senior Services from the beginning. Adjusting with the times, technology and trends to offer the best in senior living and care has been at the core of MSS from the start—both then and always.
“Then and Always:” A Message of Continuity for MSS and Our Residents
As Methodist Senior Services celebrates its 60th anniversary, MSS leadership salutes the core values that have defined MSS service and staff from the beginning—throughout the last 60 years—and into the future. “Then and Always” also sums up the MSS commitment to empowering every resident to pursue the lifelong values, loves and passionate pursuits that define their lives—both then and always. This philosophy is rooted in elder research that shows seniors who pursue lifelong passions such as cooking, active sports—and much more—generally live longer, healthier and happier lives. The socialization of these activities factors in as well.
Methodist Senior Services: A Company on a Mission
Methodist Senior Services’ 60-year-old tradition fulfills its one mission: serving older adults in the spirit of Christian love. Its approximately 1,000 employees and 1,600 volunteers make that mission the organization’s prime focus. Today, MSS serves more than 1,700 elders in 12 statewide campuses offering affordable apartments, personal care/assisted living, the Green House® Homes and skilled nursing care. For more information concerning MSS or its communities, please visit the website at www.mss.org.
