Donors
"Thank you for your financial assistance to get me out of my unsafe environment and find a new home. You are helping those who are struggling to keep their heads above water." [LEAVEN Client]
Hardship Hurts. Caring Counts. That has been the formula for LEAVEN's success since 1987. Helping people through an emergency financial crisis means that a:
-
single parent doesn't have to choose between food and medicine for her infant.
-
laid-off worker can avoid eviction before a new job begins.
-
family can continue to heat their apartment.
-
car can be fixed or fueled to reach a job interview.
-
security deposit can be paid to help someone out of transitional housing.
LEAVEN helps others through the generous financial support of individuals, churches, businesses and foundations in our community. We need your help because the needs are ongoing, requiring a constant demonstration of our caring and commitment to the people in our community who need a temporary helping hand.
LEAVEN is a not-for-profit organization that leverages the talents of volunteers with the generosity of thousands of donors to efficiently and effectively support those who look to us for help.
LEAVEN operates with just a handful of staff, which means that expenses as a percentage of donations is extremely small, and every dollar contributed is spent to help local residents through temporary hardships.
Endowment Funds
"Thank you so much for helping with my security deposit. I feel so safe now that I am out of my old apartment, and no more snow in my bedroom!" [LEAVEN Client]
Fox Cities residents have been generous to LEAVEN, providing donations and support to help thousands of our neighbors in need through temporary financial emergencies. Although these contributions are critical to our ongoing operations, many are helping build LEAVEN's long-term financial foundation through support of its two endowment funds and through planned giving.
The LEAVEN Administrative Endowment Fund was established to help cover the costs of administering our programs. When fully funded, it will allow all of our community donations and contributions to be used to provide direct financial assistance to the men, women and families who come to us for help. Because of LEAVEN's fiscal stewardship, the percentage of the overall budget that goes to administrative costs is remarkably low.
The LEAVEN Program Endowment Fund was established to provide future support for the mission of LEAVEN. The fund's proceeds are used only for client support.
Planned Giving
"Thank you for your kindness, compassion and caring. We know our plight is small in comparison, but we feel your help will change our situation for the good." [LEAVEN Client]
Planned giving provides tax advantages to donors and is an important part of estate planning. By providing for LEAVEN in your will, you can ensure a legacy of caring in the community that will last as long as the need exists.
The Legacy Society honors donors who make a gift of at least $1,000 to one or both of the endowment funds, or who name LEAVEN in their will. Established in 2007, over 100 generous donors became members of the Legacy Society in its first year.
In-Kind Donations
"Thank you so much for the diapers for my baby and the basic necessities such as toothpaste and shampoo that you were able to provide my family. It is a very humbling experience to know that I cannot afford these right now. But you were there to help!" [LEAVEN Client]
Many businesses, churches, youth groups, or other community groups often seek ways to help the needy in our community. Donations of goods and gift cards help our clients in ways that go beyond our usual assistance. We have an on-going need for:
-
Diapers, all sizes (but mostly sizes 5 and 6 needed)
-
Shampoo and conditioner
-
Toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss
-
Grocery store gift certificates
-
HP ink cartridges 21, 22, 60, 94, 95
-
Copy paper
Donations of professional services such as electrical and plumbing repairs, cleaning services, and office equipment repairs keep LEAVEN's administrative costs extremely low enabling greater financial assistance to our clients.
For information on how you or your group may provide assistance to LEAVEN, or to invite a speaker for your group meeting, please contact our Volunteer & Community Relations Coordinator at leaven@leavenfoxcities.org.
