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Your Support is Making a Difference.

The initial success of Dragon Gymnastics can be attributed to Al and Armine Fong’s commitment to promote champion gymnasts and future leaders. To keep this rich legacy alive, Dragon Gymnastics is partnering with local, state and national donors to “Support the Team and Preserve the Dream” for our athletes.

In the past, a portion of the team’s expenses have been underwritten by the Dragon Booster Club, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization formed to support the USAG competitive teams of the Great American Gymnastic Express. Through a series of fundraisers, they have been able to offset a small portion of the team’s expenses. Al and Armine Fong, however, have subsidized the bulk of the expenses, at a considerable hardship.

"We simply can’t do it the way we’ve done it in the past. We can no longer afford to take the lion’s share of the expenses out of our pockets,” said Dragon Gymnastics CEO Al Fong. He adds, “Total team expenses have exceeded income by more than $340,000 each of the last few years.

”The Olympic victory was a proud and significant achievement, not only for Dragon Gymnastics, but also for our nation’s young women. Since 2004, the influx of new and promising talent have increased budget and needs to the point where the future of Dragon Gymnastics and its programs are in jeopardy unless adequate endowment funds are established.

With the realization that our community and nation could lose an integral requisite unless adequate funding is provided, a non-profit corporation has been established to receive and administer funds. Dragon Gymnastics, Inc. will operate exclusively to foster amateur gymnasts who show the ability and potential to engage in national and international gymnastic competition. Training, coaching, facilities, equipment and amateur gymnastic competition opportunities, throughout the United States and internationally, will be funded through this corporation.

The efforts of many and the considerable sacrifice on the part of Al and Armine Fong have enabled hundreds of talented young women to achieve their potential. Please help us preserve this valuable resource by making a contribution to the lives of our future leaders.

Dragon Gymnastics Giving Opportunities        

There are a number of ways you can help Dragon Gymnastics meet the growing needs of the Dragon Team. Please contact us at (816) 229-7775 to find out the best way for you.

Ways to give to Dragon Gymnastics:

Missouri State
Tax Credit Programs
Do you pay Missouri State income taxes? Would you like to pay less?

You can reduce your tax obligation…by contributing to Dragon Gymnastics, Inc. through the Youth Opportunity Program (YOP).This program allows you to claim 50 % of your donation as a Missouri State tax credit for qualified contributions. These credits come directly from your bottom-line state income tax obligation and are in addition to the standard federal tax deduction.

Here's an example:

If you are in the 36% tax bracket and make a $1,000 contribution...

Your contribution to Dragon Gymnastics
$1000

Federal tax deduction

$360

NAP/YOP State tax credit

$500
Total Tax Savings
$860
Your final cost
$140

Dragon Gymnastics gets the full benefits of $1,000!

Here's how it works:

  1. Make a minimum donation of $100 to Dragon Gymnastics, Inc.

  2. Upon receipt of the contribution indicating you wish to use YOP tax credits, Dragon Gymnastics will reserve tax credits in your name, in the amount you specify, and send you an acknowledgement letter with instruction on how to complete the simple tax credit application form.

  3. After you complete the tax credit application form, and return it to us, we will certify the completed form and submit it to State officials.

  4. You will receive an official tax credit letter to include with your tax return.

  5. Missouri State tax credits are available to anyone subject to Missouri state income tax.

  6. The minimum allowable cash contribution is $100; the maximum contribution is $250,000, resulting in direct credits of $25 and $125,000 respectively against Missouri state income taxes due. These tax credits are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

  7. Tax credits may be applied to the tax year in which the donation was made, or any portion of the tax credit not claimed may be carried over the next five succeeding tax years.

The total contribution may also be claimed in full as a charitable deduction on your federal income tax return for the year that the donation was made.

Tax credits are limited!

They are available on a first-come, first-served basis...so send your check today. For more information, contact Al Fong by email or telephone (816) 229-7775.

Cash Gifts
Cash gifts are the easiest and most popular form of giving at Dragon Gymnastics. Cash gifts are fully tax-deductible and can be sent in at any time to the Dragon Gymnastics Development Office. Several times a year, everyone receives an Annual Fund request and a postage-paid envelope for easy return. Gifts may also be charged to your Mastercard, Visa or Discover by simply filling out the appropriate section on the Annual Fund response card.

Gifts of Stock –
Appreciated Securities
Long-term appreciated securities will have more impact than a gift of cash. The full market value of the donated shares is deductible at the time of the gift. In addition, you avoid the capital gains tax that would have applied if you sold the shares yourself.

Bequests
A bequest is a gift of either money or property made through your will. Members of the Endowment Society have notified Dragon Gymnastics that they have included the organization as a beneficiary in their estate planning. The donor can specify the use of the bequest. The total dollar amount of a bequest is fully deductible for federal estate tax purposes.

Gifts In Kind
Each year Dragon Gymnastics receives many wonderful gifts in kind, including gym equipment, technology equipment, goody bag donations, food and more. The fair market value of such items is deductible for income tax purposes. The IRS requires a formal appraisal for such gifts over $5,000.

Matching Gifts
Many companies have matching gift programs, which match the charitable donation given by an individual. To utilize this benefit, send a matching gift form (which can be obtained in the personnel office of participating companies) along with your gift to Dragon Gymnastics.

What is Development?

These days, development has become part of the fabric of life in independent not-for-profit organizations, schools and colleges. In many organizations, it is increasingly true that there is a significant gap between tuition paid/fees collected, and what it actually costs to provide services. The difference must be raised through donations, and the Dragon Gymnastics Annual Giving Fund is designed to do just that. Development is a modern word for philanthropy, and is an important and growing force that gives Dragon Gymnastics the edge.

Since the beginning of time, ordinary people everywhere have worked together to accomplish important things through philanthropy - simply defined as "voluntary support of the public good." It is still true today that the additional resources that are made available by you often determine the difference between “average” and “excellent”.Individuals and Corporations give to Dragon Gymnastics for four main reasons:

  • You believe in what we do

  • You trust us to do what we say we will do

  • You believe that your gifts will make a difference

  • Someone, personally, asks you to give.

If you have given, thank you for your support. If you have ever considered making a gift, please join us now. We appreciate the opportunity to build a relationship with you. We have great plans and wonderful dreams, and we know that together, we can realize them.
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