Friends of Loudoun Mental Health is an all volunteer, non-profit organization. Friends does not have paid staff or consultants. Over 90% of all donations go directly to support Friends programs. All donations are tax deductible. Friends Federal ID No: 51-0246519.
Your compassion and understanding ensure that Friends’ programming continues to help Loudoun residents disabled by mental illnesses live independent lives. We seek your participation and generosity through volunteerism and individual and/or corporate sponsorships.
- Your gift is used for its intended purpose. Over 90% of all donations go directly to support Friends programs.
- How your donations and gifts make a difference
- The Gift of Giving
Transparency about how donations are used is important to Friends. Over 90% of all donations go to support Friends direct service programs through our unique public/private partnership with the Supported Living Services Division of Loudoun County Mental Health Services. County services provide professional mental health care and support for people working towards recovery from mental illnesses. Friends, and you as a donor, are assured when a request for monetary support on behalf of a consumer comes from Supported Living Services that all other resources for assistance have been exhausted and that the consumer’s needs are fully documented and will be tracked by professional mental health care givers. This partnership assures that funds donated to Friends are spent judicially with full transparency and equally important, that the mental health consumer uses the funds as intended to maintain his/her recovery process, stability, and independent living.
Our mission, vision and values obligate Friends to end discrimination against people living with mental illnesses, to educate the public about mental health and recovery from mental illnesses, and to continue its direct service programming to help people disabled by mental illnesses live independent lives -- both now and in the future.
Loudoun residents, experiencing disabling mental illnesses and receiving assistance from Friends’ programming, live below the poverty line. Many currently receive SSI or SSDI. Others, are in the process of applying for benefits from these two Federal assistance programs.
A recent study, Priced Out in 2008, shows that disabled Virginia residents need 115.4% (not a typo!) of their monthly SSI income to pay rent for a studio or one-bedroom apartment. Simply stated, they’re in the red even before they try to keep a roof over their head let alone buy food or clothing, pay for utilities or medical care. The monthly allotment averages $650.
$50 provides money to cover a monthly utility bill.
$300 provides one month’s rental subsidy for a studio apartment.
$600 provides a rental deposit for an apartment lease.
$1,000 can provide a multitude of needs and occasionally can provide adult dental care (e.g. dentures) to improve not only physical health but also psychological well being. Often times poor dental health – decayed and broken teeth – is a deterrent to a person being hired, particularly for entry level jobs dealing directly with the public (e.g. fast food restaurants).
$1,500 provides five months rental subsidy.........AND……..the list can go on. Imagine yourself being disabled by mental illness and trying to live in Loudoun County on an average monthly SSI allotment of $650 (approximately $7,800 annually). Then imagine the difference $50 or $600 could make to you as you work towards recovery.
Cash gifts help make supportive programming available everyday. For income tax purposes, cash gifts are fully deductible up to 50% of your adjusted gross income. Your individual tax savings will depend on your income tax bracket. For example if you make a $1,000 gift and you are in a 27% tax bracket you will save $270 of your income taxes which means that you make a $1,000 gift at a cost of $730. Your cash gift may be made in a single payment or as pledge spread out over several months.
Stocks, Bond and Mutual Funds that have appreciated in value are one of the most advantageous ways you can support Friends. You may receive a charitable income tax deduction for the full fair market value of the stock (up to a maximum of 30% of your adjusted gross income) and avoid paying the capital gains tax on any increase in the value of the stock. Excess deductions can be carried over for five additional years. For example, you make a gift of stock worth $5,000, you purchased the stock for $500; you save $1,350 on your income taxes (if you are in a 27% tax bracket) plus you permanently avoid paying capital gain tax on the $4,500 of appreciation. To obtain the largest tax savings use stock that you have owned for a “long term” period of time (usually for more than one year).
Real estate that is not providing you with needed income can make an excellent gift to Friends. A gift of a mortgage free residence, farm or vacation home can allow you to take a charitable income tax deduction for the full market value, avoid the capital gains tax and escape the expense and work of selling the property. Paid-up life insurance that you no longer need can make a wonderful gift to Friends and may provide you with a significant tax deduction. Estate gifts are an effective way to ensure the continuation of Friends supportive programming while maximizing your personal financial goals and tax-wise estate planning needs.
To make your cash donation now, please click on the Network for Good link below.
To make other kinds of donations, please contact Treasurer@loudounfriends.org
About Network for Good: Network for Good is a secure website and is a trusted partner serving nonprofit organizations by providing a convenient way for you to make donations via the Internet. In other words, giving made easy!
