Giving Tuesday
Ascendance Pole and Aerial Arts, a nonprofit pole studio.
Wait…A nonprofit pole studio?
Like pole dancing?
Yes, you read that right! You are probably wondering why a nonprofit organization. The answer is: it all started with community.
The founders of Ascendance came together with an obvious love for aerial arts, but even more so with a love of the community that is found within a pole and aerial arts studio. As most will tell you, it only takes one class for you to realize this is a great workout. Similarly, it only takes one class to recognize how uplifting, welcoming, and inclusive the community is. When Ascendance was dreamed up, we wanted to create a studio that focused on this community. That enriched the community. That was the community. And so it was decided that to best serve the community, we would organize the studio as a nonprofit. This way all of what we do can be given back to the students, instructors, and community we serve.
Over the past two years, we have worked to create programs that make aerial arts accessible where it was previously out of reach. We offer classes and workshops geared toward under-represented groups, creating space for students to come together and enjoy who they are free from judgement. We have partnered with our Renton community to take a stand against negativity and to build up other artists and creative thinkers.
Like many other businesses throughout the country and the world, Covid-19 has taken a major toll on our well-being. The last year has taught many lessons, but overall the biggest is the importance of community through the ups and downs. How those in our community are strong, encouraging, optimistic, and present for each other. We have been lucky to remain operating in a limited capacity this year, and will work tirelessly to continue to do so. This is where your help comes in!
On this upcoming Giving Tuesday, we ask that you consider donating to our organization, our community. We are excited to be partnered with Fractured Atlas, our Fiscal Sponsor, who collects all monetary donations and will provide the necessary tax documentation to you for your donation.
Did you know? Covid-19 also brought about some amazing tax saving opportunities for charitable donations made in 2020. Due to the greater need for all charitable organizations after the various shutdowns and self-isolations, Congress passed new legislation to assist nonprofit organizations in gathering additional funding. Not only did they add a deduction potentially available to all individuals for charitable donations up to $300, they also removed the limitation on charitable donations included as itemized deductions. Of course, you’ll want to talk to your tax advisor about your specific situation, but these new and improved deductions might provide you with some significant tax savings.
So how can you donate? You can visit our support page on the Fractured Atlas website to make a one-time or a recurring donation. While we are forever grateful for every donation we receive, we would be remiss not to mention how helpful recurring donations are for us when we are budgeting and planning for our future needs.
In closing, I would like to personally thank this community for giving me the opportunity to work within it. Thank you for giving me confidence, friendship, grace, and a reason to smile. Each of you, from student to board member to external community members, play a special role in helping create the community we have today. I am so excited to see where our community goes from here.
With Love,
Cat
