Who is RISE and why are you doing this?
But won’t this hurt the economy?
Shouldn’t we keep this money in the United States?
Are we ONLY helping the poor? What about other people who need help?
What if I need my rebate but I still want to help?
How can I get my church/business/organization involved?
What about next year? Is there going to be another rebate?
Who is RISE and why are you doing this?
RISE was started by a small group of Christian men who see the 2008 tax rebate as an incredible opportunity to encourage other Americans to contribute to the welfare, and restoration, of those in their communities, across the country and around the world.
RISE is non-partisan and non-denominational — we have no agenda outside of promoting the donation of tax rebates as an opportunity to take meaningful action by contributing to organizations that aid the poor. These organizations will reinvest this money in our most precious commodity imaginable — other people.
But won’t this hurt the economy?
In a recent Bloomberg/Los Angeles Times survey, approximately 33% of respondents said that they planned to save the money — not spend it, as the government had hoped. Only 18% of respondents indicated that they would spend the money. By redirecting money that would otherwise be left to sit in the bank, RISE is not affecting purchases that could potentionally stimulate the economy. Even if people decide to donate their money instead of spending it, our $100 million mission is such a small portion of the total stimulus package that there would be little to no measurable economic effect. Conversely, $100 million can have a tremendous effect for organizations serving the poor.
Source: Bloomberg Survey (Feb.21-25)
Shouldn’t we keep this money in the United States?
Poverty is not a uniquely American problem; internationally, over 2.6 BILLION people live on less than $2 a day and every day over 30,000 children die, many from preventable causes such as hunger or treatable illnesses. While there is a definite need in our country, we recognize that some people may want to donate to international organizations. We want to encourage donations to ANY non-profit organization that you know and trust to serve the poor.
Are we ONLY helping the poor? What about other people who need help?
There are many wonderful opportunities to use this rebate money to help others — whether they are people in poverty, people who are victims of abuse, people who are victims of natural disasters, etc. We encourage you to donate your rebate to ANY non-profit organization that helps those who are less fortunate than you.
What if I need my rebate but I still want to help?
We realize that not everyone will be able to donate their entire rebate — or even a part of it. If you need the money to help meet your family’s needs, we certainly understand. There ARE other ways that you can help out — money is not the only way! You can:
• Find an organization that’s working in an area of interest to you — whether it’s a homeless shelter, a food–bank, or even a larger non-profit with a local office — and volunteer your time. Encourage your family and friends to volunteer along with you!
• Get your entire church/business/organization involved! Encourage matching donations for those who can donate their rebates, and request that your organization formally endorse this effort by publicizing it, encouraging members or employees to give of their time and/or money, and so on.
How can I get my church/business/organization involved?
It will be most effective to approach your organizational leadership with a specific plan for ways that they can support this effort. Depending on the nature of your organization, you could:
• Request that a news item be placed in an organizational newsletter, or sent out as an email
• Request the opportunity to speak at a meeting or service to promote the idea and encourage co-workers or members to adopt it as their own
• If your organization endorses this effort, propose that its leadership encourage other organizations in its field/network/region to join with them — set specific donation goals for your organization and challenge others to meet them!
• At a business: Request that your employer provide matching funds for any donations made by employees
• At a church: Request the opportunity to set up a table after a service with literature and suggestions for places to donate rebates/time to
• At a non-profit: Request that your organization incorporate this call for the donation of rebates in currently running campaigns — or that they implement an entirely new campaign in support of this effort!
Visit our Press page for materials and information you can use to get your organization involved. And if you need further help or ideas,
What about next year? Is there going to be another rebate?
It is highly unlikely that there will be another tax rebate like this year. We want to take advantage of this unique opportunity, but we would also be disappointed if people saw this as being a one-time need. While this economic stimulus package is a unique event, you probably receive a tax refund every year — consider dedicating your refund on an annual basis to an oranization that you support.
Poverty is a systemic problem in America, and it takes the constant efforts of dedicated people and organizations to help the poor rise above the poverty line. We encourage you to consider giving of your time or money on a regular basis, to the extent that you are able. It is ultimately the efforts of individuals — like you — that make a difference in the lives of others.
Where can I get more information about the 2008 tax rebate?
The Internal Revenue Service posts complete and up-to-date information at their website. Visit the following link to find out more:
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=177937,00.html
How do I know how large my check will be?
There are a number of tools available online for estimating the amount of your rebate check. Most estimate calculations (including those below) use your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), along with information about your filing status.
RISE does not guarantee the accuracy of these calculators.
”Advanced“ Calculator
The IRS offers this calculator, which requires detailed tax information. You will need information from your 2007 Form 1040, Form 1040EZ, or Form 1040A in order to use this calculator.
”Quick“ Calculator
The Olympian Newspaper (WA) offers this simple calculator, which requires only your AGI, your filing status, and the amount of income tax you paid in 2007.