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YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAM TAX CREDIT 

Missouri’s Youth Opportunities Program (YOP) allows its residents to determine how their state tax dollars will be spent through their charitable donations. Cornerstones of Care is approved to offer $125,000 in YOP tax credits to donors who support our Pathways Transitional Living program, which provides support, guidance, housing and case management for young adults in foster care, involved in the juvenile justice system or homeless. This program connects young adults to resources, services and opportunities that will enhance their future.

As a donor, you will receive a tax credit equaling 50% of your minimum gift of $1,000. This credit combines with your federal and state charitable income tax deduction to lower the net cost of your donation. We encourage you to take advantage of these tax credits now. They will go fast!

Frequently Asked Questions

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Qualified individuals and businesses with Missouri tax liability and donate a minimum of $1,000 to Cornerstones of Care Pathway’s Transitional Living Program.  

The amount of credit is equal to half of the contribution (50%).

  •  To qualify for the credit, an individual or business must make an eligible contribution to an approved Youth Opportunities project in the State of Missouri (Cornerstones of Care, Federal Tax Id 43-1689138).
  • Obtain a current Tax Credit Application from Cornerstones of Care. Complete the application and submit the original to Cornerstones of Care. Please read all instructions on the back of the application. Attach the necessary proof of contribution, then sign and notarize the application before sending it to Cornerstones of Care, Attn: Sally Cook. Director of Development, 8150 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO 64114.
  • Cornerstones of Care will review the application, verify the contribution was received, sign it, and forward it to the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) for processing.
  • DED will review the application and notify the donor in writing of the amount of credit allowed. The Department of Revenue will also be notified. Please allow at least 2-3 weeks for processing an application. All credits are rounded down to the next lowest dollar amount.
  • PLEASE NOTE:DO NOT CLAIM THE CREDIT ON YOUR TAX RETURN UNTIL YOU HAVE RECEIVED OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION OF CREDIT APPROVAL. The notification from DED consists of a tax credit certificate for eligibility of credit.

The credit may first be claimed on taxes due for the year the contribution was made and may be extended for five additional tax years until the credit is exhausted. The tax credit is only claimable for the total six-year period and any credit not claimed in that timeframe will automatically be forfeited. The credit may not be used to offset taxes due for periods prior to the year of contribution.

No, YOP tax credits are not transferable or sellable.


YOP tax credits are not refundable. Credits earned may only be used to offset actual liabilities. If you have credits in excess of your liabilities, you are allowed an additional five years to claim them. After six years, any unused credits will be forfeited.

The amount of credit an individual may claim in any one year is only limited by his or her total liability; it is not limited to that portion of income that was business related. On joint returns, both parties are limited by their individual portion of their total tax liability.

With a limited amount of tax credits to be claimed, they will go fast!

Additional Questions?

Please contact Sally Cook at sally.cook@cornerstonesofcare.org for more information or to learn how your charitable dollars can work for you while making a difference in the lives of our children and families. 

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