Oracle Schools Foundation – May 2025

Celebrating 10 Years of the Oracle Schools Foundation

Ann Vernon

Ten years ago the Oracle Schools Foundation (OSF) became a 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose mission was to provide educational opportunities to students at the Mountain Vista School in Oracle, with free preschool to 3- and 4-year-olds being our priority. And provide we have! Thanks to so many SaddleBrooke and Ranch residents, as well as local businesses, in 10 years we have raised over a million dollars! We think that is something to celebrate!

Each year we hold an auction in conjunction with our Spring Fling Gala, which this year occurred on March 15. Once again, the event was sold out almost immediately and a spirited group of guests mixed and mingled and bid on 67 silent auction items including the ever-popular made-to-order pies, cakes, casseroles, soups, and appetizers. Guests also lined up to sign up for one or more of the wonderful 25 fixed price events, including house concerts, theme dinners, golf packages, and much more. Popular live auction items included the “famous” HOA One library dinner; timeshares in Scottsdale, Cottonwood, and Escondido; and a week’s retreat at a beautiful home in Show Low during the summer. We want to thank all the donors for their generous contributions that contributed to a very high-quality auction.

Maria Menconi, the second president of the Foundation, spoke about the impact we are making by educating two sections of preschoolers and recognized those who had been instrumental in establishing the Foundation. As a Foundation Board, we know how instrumental our “champions” are, and we look forward to seeing you in 2026! Check the website for updates.

There are still some fun fixed price events that will be posted on the website at oracleschoolsfoundation.com. Check your calendars and sign up online. We are always looking for people to host functions or donate to our silent and live auctions, so please consider that for next year and contact me at [email protected]. With your help we can continue to support education in Oracle.

Celebrating Our Success!

Ann Vernon

Members of the Oracle Schools Foundation Spring Fling Gala planning committee met at the home of Ann and Nile Vernon to celebrate a very successful event that raised over $65,000 (with more money coming in) to help support kindergarten prep and related educational programs in the Mountain Vista School District in Oracle.

The Gala team did an amazing job of soliciting 67 silent auction items, 26 fixed price events, and nine fabulous live auction items. Kudos to Dorothy Wood (Silent Auction Chair), Mary Jo Swartzberg and Sue Schliepsiek (Fixed Price Chairs), and Dale Farland and Donna Pedota (Live Auction Chairs). Linda Lyon, Terri Tindal, Dale Farland, Janet Gulden, Chris Crum, and Richard Borland spent many hours figuring out a way to expedite the check-out process—and it was a big success! Other “worker bees” on the team included Bonnie Barazani, Laura Haslett, Joy Hellard, Sherry Kaplan, Benith MacPherson, Jessica Nehrmeyer, and Karen Pachis. As chair of the Gala, I couldn’t be prouder of their devotion to our mission. Their energy and enthusiasm paved the way for a great auction. A big thanks also to Barry Swartzberg who coordinated the house concerts and our two benefit concerts: the CS&M Trio performed at the Ranch earlier this year and the Tributaries were at DesertView this month. Both events raised money that will help fund our educational programs.

I want to thank all the SaddleBrooke and Ranch residents who contributed to the silent, live, and fixed price auction. We could not have such a successful auction if it weren’t for your donations. I appreciate all who attended the Gala to support such a worthy cause. If you would like to donate something for next year’s auction, contact me, Ann Vernon, at [email protected]. This is a “goods and services” auction only. We do not take tangible items. Our “best sellers” are theme dinners, parties, and made-to-order food donations. The date for next year will be announced soon.

Two Smart Tax Strategies that Help a Local Charity—A Win/Win for You and for Oracle Schools Foundation

Dale Farland

You have already prepared your tax returns for 2024 and are now thinking “how can I reduce my Federal and/or Arizona income taxes? Here are Two Smart Tax Strategies that can reduce your income taxes while helping a local charity—the Oracle Schools Foundation (OSF). Of course, you should always consult with your tax advisor.

OSF helps raise additional funding to help support programs within the district. Donations primarily fund the free KinderPrep (Preschool) for 3- and 4-year-old children of the Oracle vicinity. There are 59 students in KinderPrep. Did you know that Arizona does not fund preschool?

Did you know that Mt. Vista Elementary School is a Title I school meaning that the majority of the families are low income? OSF also funds other programs to help all of the Mountain Vista students, such as Enhanced Reading and Math programs. In fact, OSF needs to raise $120,000 annually to fund these programs as well as the free KinderPrep.

1) Do you have to take an annual Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA)? Would you prefer not to pay income taxes on your RMD?

When you receive your RMD or any distribution from your IRA account, you pay income taxes on it. However, if you make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA to a 501(c)(3) charity, you do not pay any income taxes on that distribution and it counts towards your annual RMD. Of course, you cannot claim the donation on your income taxes; however, you are also not paying any income taxes on that distribution.

To make a QCD to the Oracle Schools Foundation, have your IRA trustee send a check directly to Oracle Schools Foundation, P.O. Box 8863, Catalina, AZ 85738. In compliance with IRS guidelines, no goods or services are provided in exchange for the donation. It will not be placed in a donor advised fund nor given to a supporting organization.

2) OSF is now an Arizona Qualifying Charitable Organization (AZQCO) and donations receive a

Tax Credit—You take the donation dollar for dollar off your Arizona Income Taxes!

You cannot claim more than you owe in AZ state income taxes, so confirm with your tax advisor.

For 2025, the amount you can donate is $987 for married couples and $495 for single individuals in total donations for all AZQCO organizations.

To securely donate on our website, please go to oracleschoolsfoundation.com. If you would rather, you can mail a check to Oracle Schools Foundation, P.O. Box 8863, Catalina, AZ 85738.

The AZQCO code for Oracle Schools Foundation when you prepare your AZ Income Taxes is # 22773.

So, it is a win/win. You pay less income taxes and the charity receives the donation.

As aforementioned, always confirm with your tax advisor. Thank you!