ST LOUIS MO (stlouismo.com) — Gov. Matt Blunt announced today that the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) has approved Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) tax credits for six Missouri not-for-profit organizations. The tax credits total $987,902.
OATS, Inc., Columbia, has been approved for $15,000 in NAP tax credits. OATS provides services to the elderly, disabled and low-income individuals in 87 Missouri counties. The NAP tax credits will be utilized to purchase additional lift-equipped vehicles to ensure continuity of services to over 28,000 Missourians.
Horses of Hope – Missouri Inc., Buffalo, has been approved for $295,295 in NAP tax credits. Horses of Hope will utilize the NAP tax credits, in collaboration with area schools, to provide funding and transportation to therapeutic riding lessons for children with disabilities. Horses of Hope will also team with three post-secondary institutions to create a training site for students pursing degrees in physical, occupational and speech therapy.
The Boys & Girls Club of Springfield has been approved for $152,664 in NAP tax credits. The Boys & Girls Club will utilize the NAP tax credits to provide affordable child care; increase the number of Missourians with a high school diploma or GED certificate; and decrease alcohol and drug use.
Home Services Inc., St. Louis, has been approved for $9,300 in NAP tax credits. Home Services will utilize the NAP credits to provide medically certified, low-income and disabled residents in the city of St. Louis with means of acquiring and maintaining heating and air conditioning units, as well as provides smoke detectors to area residents.
Coyote Hill Christian Children’s Home, Columbia, has been approved for $330,634 in NAP tax credits. The NAP tax credits will assist Coyote Hill in a capital campaign for the construction of a new children’s home that will provide a safe living environment for abused and neglected children. When completed, the new home will provide shelter to eight children.
Christian Associates of Table Rock Lake, Kimberling City, has been approved for $185,009 in NAP tax credits. Christian Associates will utilize the NAP tax credits to increase services, including job placement and life skills training to over 500 low-income families in Stone County.
The DED administers the Neighborhood Assistance Program that helps not-for-profit organizations raise private-sector funds by providing partial state tax credits to businesses that make contributions to approved community improvement projects.
Businesses can donate cash, materials, supplies or equipment; technical assistance and professional services; labor; real estate; or stocks and bonds. Credits can equal up to 50 percent of the total amount contributed or up to 70 percent for projects located in most rural areas.
Not-for-profit organizations participating in the NAP program conduct capital campaigns or provide services in the areas of crime prevention, education, job training, physical revitalizations, or community services. The Neighborhood Assistance Program is utilized by not-for-profit organizations throughout Missouri to make their communities a more desirable place to live and work, as well as pave the way for economic development.