Why individuals make charitable donations can be as varied as the donors themselves. Some give because they have a personal commitment to the cause - they may know a relative, friend, or employee who has been the victim of domestic violence. They may give because of a more general desire to assist those in need who are less fortunate financially than themselves - to share the good fortune they have in life. Still others give not because they have great personal wealth, but because they have a compassionate heart and it feels good to help others.

Whatever the conscious or unconscious reason for giving, most donors give to a charitable organization so they can "make a difference." They want to feel they have done their part to change this world for the better.

There are numerous ways to make a tax deductible donation to The Shelter for Abused Women & Children:

• Cash - Simply write a check to 'The Shelter for Abused Women & Children' or charge a donation to your Visa or MasterCard account with our secured donation form.
• In-Kind Donations - You can donate furniture, clothing, household items, and automobiles that are clean and in good condition to our Options Thrift Shoppe at 968 Second Avenue North in Naples, Florida. Call our thrift shop manager at (239) 434-7115 to arrange a furniture pick-up.
• www.YellowBrickMall.com - The Shelter has teamed up with YellowBrickMall.com, an online shopping mall that donates a percentage of online sales back to our oganization. You can help the Shelter by linking to and purchasing from any of the hundreds of national online merchants shown on the Shelter's page at the YellowBrickMall.com site: www.YellowBrickMall.com/naplesshelter.php.
• Donate Stock, Bonds, Equities, Real Estate, Art - If you donate these items, you may avoid tax on the appreciated value while receiving a tax deduction. All items valued over $5,000 require an independent appraisal to meet IRS regulations.
• Bequests - Designate The Shelter for Abused Women & Children as a beneficiary in your will, trust, IRA, retirement or insurance plan.
• Charitable Trust and Deferred Gifts - Establish a trust which benefits The Shelter for Abused Women & Children and may provide income for you and your spouse as well as substantial tax savings.
• Donations In Memory - Send a donation in memory of a special friend, occasion, or anniversary. We will be glad to send an acknowledgement for the gift to the person of your choice.
• Matching Gift - Does your employer match charitable donations? If so, ask your employer to match your donation to The Shelter for Abused Women & Children. Review this list to see if your employer matches your charitable donations!

We would be happy to help you coordinate any gifts or legacies you choose to benefit The Shelter for Abused Women & Children. Please call our Donor Office at (239) 775-3862, extension 205. Please be aware that we are not tax experts and are not familiar with each individual's tax situation. Therefore, we advise you to consult your financial, legal, or tax advisor about the specifics of your donation.

Every day we make a difference in the lives of our clients. Every day we save lives. We can't do it alone. With your help, we will continue to make a difference. We sincerely thank you for your generosity.

Click here to make a donation!

Charity Navigator is America's premier independent charity evaluator. They help charitable givers make intelligent giving decisions by providing in-depth, objective ratings and analysis of the financial health of America's largest charities. Charity Navigator awarded four out of a possible four stars to this charity for the second year. In earning Charity Navigator's highest four star rating, the Shelter for Abused Women & Children has demonstrated exceptional financial health, outperforming most of its peers in its efforts to manage and grow its finances in the most fiscally responsible way possible. Please click on the logo to review our four star rating.

Donor Bill of Rights - To ensure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the nonprofit organizations and causes they are asked to support, the Association of Fundraising Professional, in collaboration with other organizations and associations, has developed this Donor Bill of Rights. The Shelter for Abused Women & Children is a member of AFP and endorses this code of ethics.