Frequently Asked Questions

What is Professional Senior Solutions?
Do I need a receipt for donations I make?
What counts as a charitable organization?
What does it mean to be a 501(c)(3) organization?
Are monetary donations tax deductible?
Who qualifies to have their dreams granted?
Are there limitations to the types of wishes that can be fulfilled?
How can I contribute?
How can I volunteer?
What is the dream of Professional Senior Solutions?
How can I make a wish? Who qualifies to receive a dream?
What are the dream requirements and restrictions?

What is Professional Senior Solutions

We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that desires to bring smiles and joy to our seniors who have given smiles to so many others throughout their lives and been there for us every step of the way. There are two components to our organization. One is granting the dreams of seniors. This is something that they have dreamt about doing since they were children. The other is working with business and vendors to make the senior’s world a bit safer.

A 501(c)(3) charity can accept contributions and offer donors a tax deduction for their gifts. For donors, this means your contributions are fully tax-deductible to the amount allowed by law.

Do I need a receipt for donations I make?

You generally need a receipt for donations for more than $250. Professional Senior Solutions provides receipts for all monetary donations.

The IRS does not require receipts for cash donations under $250, but you should keep donation information on file. Cash contributions of $250 and more require an acknowledgement that must be sent to the IRS with your tax returns.

Though the IRS does not require receipts for donations under $250, it is a good idea to keep this information on file. Be sure to keep the canceled check, credit card statement, or e-mail receipt from the organization to which you donate. Always note the donation amount and the date of the contribution.

The receipt needs to record the donation amount, the date the donation was made, and the name of the charity (Professional Senior Solutions), as well as a written acknowledgement from the organization of any property or services that you may have received in return for your donation and an estimate of their value. The IRS should acknowledge an e-mail receipt as an acceptable record of donation, but to be certain, always consult your tax advisor.

What counts as a charitable organization?

A charitable organization is generally defined as any non-profit organization that is incorporated and identified by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization. These organizations have been given tax-exempt status and can accept contributions.

For a charitable event, only a portion of the ticket value is deductible. The portion that is NOT deductible is the value of the goods or services that you receive (e.g. dinner, entertainment, etc.). The rest is deductible. Once again, always consult your tax advisor.

What does it mean to be a 501(c)(3) organization?

For charities, this means that they can accept contributions and offer donors a tax deduction for their gifts. For donors, this means your contributions are fully tax-deductible to the amount allowed by law.

Are monetary donations tax deductible?

Your personal tax bracket and how you file your taxes (individually, jointly, as a corporation, etc.) determines the deduction for your charitable contribution. The instructions for the 1040 Form will help determine the exact amount of your deduction, which will vary depending on your tax bracket and whether you file as a single person or jointly. You should consult with your accountant for more details.

Who qualifies to have their dreams granted?

Individual wish candidates include seniors over the age of 68 with an income of less than 200% of poverty level and assets of $104,400 or less. Recipients must have the physical and cognitive ability to formulate, communicate and fulfill the wish, and have a documented history of contributing positively to the welfare of others over their lifetime. Further details are provided in an answer below.

Are there limitations to the types of wishes that can be fulfilled?

The recipient must not have previously received an individual dream fulfillment from Professional Senior Solutions or another similar organization. The type of dream and costs are other considerations. The recipient’s dream must be able to be fulfilled within our organization’s spending limits or we must be able to identify and reasonably engage sponsors in-kind. Our organization will not provide trips to dangerous places, boats, all terrain vehicles, shopping sprees, medical equipment, and trips to seek medical aid or to medical conferences. Selection of recipients is at the sole discretion of the Professional Senior Solutions.

How can I contribute?

Professional Senior Solutions looks to individuals, organizations, and corporations to help create the “unexpected dream” experience.

Wherever you live, however much time and energy you can contribute, we greatly appreciate your support. Donations can be made through monthly giving, tribute donations, workplace giving, and personal contributions.

We rely on generous people to help make the dreams of our seniors come true. Secure donations can be made on our donate page or you may mail your contribution to Professional Senior Solutions at P.O. Box 1174, Middletown, CA 95461.

If you are unable to make a monetary donation, but still want to contribute we rely heavily on volunteers.

How can I volunteer?

Volunteers are the backbone of Professional Senior Solutions. Only through the work, commitment, and time of volunteers are we able to grant wishes and fund award celebrations.

Your time and generosity are two of the most important components that will help keep Professional Senior Solutions going as we meet the dreams of our senior population.

Volunteer positions are available, including the following areas: translation services, development and fundraising, special events, award celebrations organizers, general administration, dream granting, and many others.

What is the dream of Professional Senior Solutions?

Our dream is to bring smiles and joy to elders that have brought smiles to others. There are many dreams to fulfill and we hope to be able to fulfill as many as possible for all of those who lovingly gave themselves to make us who we are today; our moms, dads, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, business owner of the corner store, librarians, neighbors and friends.

How can I make a wish? Who qualifies to receive a dream?

You can to make a dream request for yourself or for a worthy recipient that you know. Recipient qualifications are detailed below. Click here for our "Make a Dream" form.

What are the dream requirements and restrictions?

Dream recipients requests are qualified to honor our fiduciary responsibilities to donors and sponsors as detailed below.

Qualifying dream recipients will fulfill all the following requirements:

Minimum 68 years old or a permanent resident of a senior care facility
Legal United States citizenship
Annual income of less than 200% of current federal government published poverty level income ($19,600 annually for household of one; $26,400 for two) or be unable to grant own wish for other than financial reason
Documented history of giving back to the community
Must be cognitively, emotionally and physically capable of communicating and experiencing the wish

Note: Proof of age, income, personal history, physical condition per a physician’s letter and citizenship are conditions of this application and must be provided if requested in order for the dream to be granted.

Professional Senior Solutions (“PSS”) grants qualifying wishes as funding and resources are available. PSS reserves the right to deny requests for any purpose in conflict with the mission of PSS. PSS will deny the following types of wishes:

political or legal in nature
housing reconstruction
bill payments or requests for cash
medical items (including surgery or pharmaceutical items)
dangerous in nature

Click here to submit a dream request.