CJM offers many ways to make a lasting impact in the lives of those returning home from incarceration.
In addition to traditional gifts, you can support our work through:
More Ways to Give:
Stretch your gift further with Missouri’s Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP). Eligible donors — Missouri business income — can receive a 50% Missouri state tax credit on qualifying donations to CJM’s approved NAP Project.
Why it Matters:
A $5,000 gift could generate a $2,500 Missouri tax credit — in addition to your usual federal and state charitable deductions — lowering the net cost of giving while powering reentry housing and services.
Who Qualifies:
Missouri businesses of all types and individuals reporting Missouri business income (sole proprietorships, farms, rental/royalty income, or S-Corp/LLC/partnership members) and owners/partners/shareholders in pass-through entities.
How it Works: It’s Simple
– Make your gift to CJM
– Complete a short, notarized NAP application we provide
– CJM submits it to the Missouri Department of Economic Development
– You receive a Certificate of Eligibility to claim the credit on your Missouri return.
Good to Know:
NAP credits are not transferable or refundable, but any unused portion can be carried forward up to five additional tac years beyond the year of your gift. (Always consult with your tax advisor)
Create a lasting legacy through a gift in your will, trust, or other estate plans — your support can echo far into the future, empowering our justice-involved neighbors long after you’re gone.
Why it Matters:
Planned giving (also called legacy giving or gift planning) enables donors to make significant contributions to CJM’s mission that might not be possible through direct gifts alone. Bequests — gifts made through your will or trust — are the most common and accessible form of planned giving.
Simple & Flexible — Including CJM in your estate plan can be easy as adding one sentence, such as:
“I give [amount or % of my estate] to Criminal Justice Ministry (CJM), of St. Louis,
Missouri, for its general charitable purposes.”
You may also specify a particular purpose or allow the board to direct the gift as needed.
Benefits:
– Strengthens CJM’s long-term financial stability
– Allows you to support our mission beyond your lifetime
– Can be modified if your circumstances change
A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) is a simple, flexible, and tax efficient way to support CJM’s mission of helping people successfully return home from incarceration.
How it Works:
– You set up a charitable account with a sponsoring organization (such as Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, Vanguard Charitable, or your local community foundation).
– You receive an immediate tax deduction when you contribute cash, stock, or other assets to your DAF.
– From there, you can recommend grants to CJM over time — on a schedule that works for you.
Benefits:
– Receive an immediate tax deduction when you fund your DAF.
– Simplify giving by consolidating charitable donations into one account.
– Recommend grants to CJM today or over many years.
– Involve family in your philanthropy and create a long-term giving plan.
Make a gift through your DAF today:
Contact your DAF sponsoring organization directly and recommend a gift to:
Criminal Justice Ministry (CJM), St. Louis, MO – EIN 46-2647318
If you are age 70 1/2 or older, can make a tax-wise gift to CJM directly from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA). This type of gift, called a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) or “IRA Charitable Rollover,” allows you to support our mission while reducing your taxable income.
How it Works:
– You instruct your IRA administrator to transfer funds directly to CJM.
– The gift counts toward your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) if you are age 73 or older.
– Because the funds go directly to CJM, they are not counted as taxable income — a win for you and the people we serve.
Benefits:
– Reduce your taxable income, even if you don’t itemize deductions.
– Satisfy your annual RMD
– Make a meaningful impact on reentry housing and support services.
– Give directly, without affecting your checking or savings accounts.
Eligibility:
– Donors must be 70 1/2 or older.
– You can give up to $105,000 per year (2024 limit) directly from your IRA to qualified charities like CJM.
How to get started:
– Contact your IRA plan administrator and request a transfer to:
Criminal Justice Ministry (CJM), St. Louis, MO – EIN 46-2647318
– Notify CJM of your gift so we can thank you and ensure it’s directed as you intend.
Donating appreciated securities — such as stocks, bonds, or mutual funds — is a tax-smart way to support CJM’s mission. By giving stock directly, you can make a greater impact at no additional cost to you.
Why Donate Stock:
– Avoid capital gains taxes you would owe if you sold the securities yourself.
– Receive a charitable deduction for the full fair market value of the stock (if held for more than one year).
– Maximize your giving power while reducing your taxable income.
How it works:
– Ask your broker or financial advisor to transfer shares directly to CJM’s brokerage account.
– Contact us so we can provide you with the transfer instructions and properly credit and acknowledge your gift.
Support returning citizens by donating practical items that meet their everyday needs. CJM accepts household goods, furniture, and personal essentials to help clients settle into safe, stable housing.
High-need items include:
– Household items and small furniture
– Hygiene products (toothpaste, soap, deodorant, shampoo, etc)
– New underwear and socks (all sizes)
– Clothing and shoes (men’s and women’s, preferably season-appropriate)
– Cleaning supplies and laundry products
– Items for our Welcome Back Packs, which every client receives when they come home
Our Preference:
We kindly request new items whenever possible, to provide clients with dignity and a fresh start.
Have Questions or Want to Arrange a Drop-off:
Please call our front desk at 314.652.8062 before bringing donations, so we can confirm current needs and coordinate delivery.
Double (or even triple) your impact — at no extra cost to you! Many employers offer matching gift programs that will match charitable contributions their employees make eligible nonprofits like CJM. Some companies even match volunteer hours with a monetary gift. Check with your HR or benefits department to see if your employer offers a matching gift program and follow their instructions to submit your donation.
Turn your passion into impact by starting a peer-to-peer fundraiser for CJM. These fundraisers let you invite friends, family, coworkers, and your community to support safe housing and reentry services.
Typical Peer Fundraisers Include:
– Hosting a birthday party or milestone fundraiser on Facebook or Instagram.
– Running a 5K or taking on a personal challenge and asking for donations.
– Rallying coworkers or a faith group to give together.
You can also make it fun and hands-on:
– Host a service night where your group packs Welcome Back Packs.
– Clean apartments or assembles furniture for new clients, and pair the activity with a peer fundraiser to multiply the impact.
Getting Started is Easy:
Set up a fundraiser page, share your story, and watch your network step up to help returning citizens find stability and hope.
Help welcome our clients home by purchasing everyday essentials from Amazon and having them shipped directly to CJM. From bedding and kitchenware to hygiene and cleaning supplies, every item makes an apartment feel like home in the first days after incarceration.
Please reach out to Shelby Trif, our Director of Funding, at shelbyt@cjmstlouis.org or 314.583.1544 to learn more or schedule a conversation about how you can meaningfully partner with CJM!