Making a difference…that's the goal of Community Support Services everyday. However, providing these services come with a hefty price tag. As you may know, CSS is underwritten by a combination of federal, state, and local contributions. We rely on this support to serve well over 400 persons with developmental disabilities through group home support to community integration, to accessing doctors and therapists for children.

In order to guarantee that these services are always available for the individuals who rely upon it, the Community Support Services Board of Directors has created an Endowment Fund. Cash contributions can be earmarked for the endowment, and may be considered a tax write off, after consultation with your accountant. If you would like to give a cash donation, please contact Melissa Eiken at 624-4515 or at meiken@cssmo.org for more information.

Giving a cash donation may not be a feasible or viable option for all of us. Fortunately, there are alternative methods of charitable giving that are beneficial to the donors themselves; such as life insurance, remainder trusts, gift annuities, and wealth replacement trusts.

Community Support Services in conjunction with your local state farm representative, Kyle Hickam, has created a 10-pay life insurance policy. This option allows the donor to provide a substantial gift at death at a modest annual cost while living. CSS is named beneficiary to receive life insurance proceeds, and if CSS owns the policy, any cash values in the policy may be used to provide a current source of funds. Beyond the annual premium payment, charitable giving using life insurance allows the donor to make a meaningful gift at death, without shrinking the estate available to family members.

CSS has a rich history of not just providing support for others, but of being supported by our community. Consider joining this tradition of philanthropic givers who recognize the greatest gift we can give is our support for others in need.

"As a volunteer at the CSS Summer Camp, I witnessed first hand how well the activities benefited the children, mentally and physically, and helped them grow as individuals. I feel this type of quality program enables this population to reach their potential as a future community member and a producer in our community." - Amy Bearce, PE Instructor for Webb City R-7 School District

"Thank you so much for the assistance you provided to our family member. The staff support was a God send. With the help of your staff, our family member was able to enjoy a superior quality of life." - Abbey Berry