Why Give?

ACCESS-York is a nonprofit human service agency that empowers victims of domestic violence with the options and support necessary to gain independence and build lives free from abuse.

The organization currently receives about half of its funding through government-based operating grants, a source that has been declining. The agency has seen significant declines in both grant funding and individual giving. The cost of maintaining nine buildings while sustaining direct services is increasingly difficult amid rising operating costs and a decrease in philanthropic support.

Your support is essential to guarantee that ACCESS-York can continue to provide the services and preventative education the community has come to count on and expect from us.

We hope you’ll consider partnering with us to help improve the quality and safety of life in our community...for now and for the future.

 

Lifetime Gifts

Unrestricted Gifts give the agency the most flexibility and allow us to use your gift where it’s most needed. For instance, we may have grant support to fund a particular program, but a lack of funds to cover the necessary operating expenses required to implement the program. An unrestricted gift could help offset those expenses to ensure delivery of direct services to victims of domestic violence and their children.

Program-Designated Gifts are allocated according to your interests and commitment to a particular area of the services we provide. Past examples include gifts made to support a specific shelter location, our children’s program, or our Bridge Housing program.

Endowment Gifts are added directly to our Heritage Fund, held at York County Community Foundation. Our endowment ensures ongoing support for ACCESS-York and the service we provide to the community.

Direct Mail Campaigns take place at several times throughout the year and give the community the opportunity to make financial contributions in any amount. Gifts of all sizes are welcome and appreciated.

Event Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Sponsorship provides a chance for businesses to partner with ACCESS-York and be recognized for their commitment to the community, and serves as leverage for potential funding from additional sources.

Neighborhood Assistance Program Campaign contributions allow eligible businesses to receive tax credits for up to 50% of their gift. ACCESS-York’s eligibility for this State program is reviewed on an annual basis.

 

Planned Gifts

Planned gifts come in many forms, and there are options for estates of any size. You may wish to remember ACCESS-York in your will, make a contribution for which you or a family member receives lifetime income, or make a donation of real property or life insurance. Your decision to notify us of your intention to make a planned gift is entirely up to you, but notification will allow us to thank you for your commitment during your lifetime. Below are just a few examples of planned giving options. Please contact your professional advisor or York County Community Foundation to learn more about how you can leave a legacy.

Bequests

A bequest is made by indicating in your will a specific dollar amount or percentage of your estate that is earmarked for ACCESS-York. You may also bequeath other assets, such as insurance, retirement funds, or real estate.

Legacy Society

Your membership in ACCESS-York’s White Dove Society allows us to recognize your commitment during your lifetime. A planned gift helps enable us to continue our work well into the future, and lets others know just how much you believe in what we do.

Charitable Remainder Trusts

Many people choose to set up charitable funds while living in order to reduce future estate taxes.

Charitable Gift Annuities

Gift annuities offer life income and a variety of immediate tax benefits for the donor.

Other options

Talk to your professional advisor (attorney, financial planner, accountant, bank or trust officer, insurance professionals, etc.) about other options that might be appropriate for you.

 

In-Kind donations

When considering making an in-kind contribution, please contact ACCESS to determine specific needs. The agency maintains a prioritized wish list, organized according to program.

Donation of items on the current wish list are greatly appreciated, as they address the immediate needs of our clients and the programs we provide to serve them. They also allow us to make the most effective use of limited storage space.

In-kind donations are a great way to make a difference without necessarily spending a lot of money. Consider adding wish list items to your grocery, discount, or club store shopping list and encouraging others to do the same. If several people provide one item each, it can make a tremendous difference to ACCESS-York.

The wish list is updated at least quarterly and priority items are published in our newsletter. Please call us for the most recent copy.

For more information or to make a gift, please contact the ACCESS-York offices:

Phone: (717) 845-8226
info@access-york.org

 

Cell Phone Collection Program

ACCESS has joined a national phone collection program called "Shelter Alliance" as a way of raising funds for the services it offers to victims of domestic violence. When someone donates cell phones to ACCESS, some phones will be programmed to call 911 and will be given to the families we serve. The remaining phones will be sent to "Shelter Alliance" for reimbursement. By donating phones through this project you will help ACCESS provide an additional means of safety for victims of domestic violence as well as help ACCESS with its fundraising efforts and at the same time help preserve our environment. Anyone interested in donating their cell phones can call ACCESS at 717-845-8226.