Be The Change

And improve the lives of women, children, and families in need!

Here’s How You Can Help!

1. Donate: Your donation to Margaret’s Village will make a difference in the lives of our Chicago neighbors who are affected by homelessness and poverty. If you are able to make a recurring gift or matching gift, you will help us in meeting the needs of residents. Please make a DONATION today.

2. In-Kind Gifts: Many items such as toiletries and other personal items, food, clothing, and blankets are needed at shelters. See what items are most needed by reading our WISH LIST.

3. Spread The Word: Do you know a business, school, book club, scouting troop, alumni organization, church community that might want to know more about Margaret’s Village and homelessness in Chicago?

Our Executive Director would be happy to speak to your group!
Arrange for your group to participate in a supply drive, or a day of service at one of our shelters. Gain community service hours and enhance team building while bringing awareness of the challenges confronting the homeless.

4. Events:

Sponsor Our Events:Our Fall Gala and Spring Luncheon have many levels of sponsorship opportunities. With a mailing list of nearly 3,000 and various forms of public acknowledgement, it is a great way for companies to build brand recognition and to inspire philanthropy.

Attend An Event: In addition to our two annual fundraising events, we also provide information on other events at Margaret’s Village and fundraisers benefiting Margaret’s Village.

Plan An Event Or Join An Event Committee: Help plan an event to benefit Margaret’s Village — contact us to find out how to attend an event, plan an event, sponsor an event, or to join one of our event committees!

5. Sponsor A Bed, And Be a Dreamcatcher: A donation of $500 will sponsor a bed at one of our two shelters. Your donation will help implement all of the services that we provide during the year, including shelter, nutritious meals, mental health outreach, personalized case management, medical attention, and more. Anyone who sponsors a bed is invited to provide a message of support which we will add to a dreamcatcher and place on the sponsored bed. You will be a very special Dreamcatcher for the residents of Maria and Believe Shelters!

6. Volunteer: Margaret’s Village relies on the generosity of our volunteers who give of their time, energy, and gifts to support our mission. Request a volunteer form using the contact form on this page.

Volunteers are needed to serve on board committees such as fundraising events, resource development, and facilities.

Already a volunteer? Visit our events calendar and take a look at our calendar for upcoming openings.

7. Shop Online: Next time you shop online, use a company that donates a percentage of your purchase to Margaret’s Village at no cost to you. Simply choose Margaret’s Village as your preferred charity. These companies include:

Amazon Smile http://smile.amazon.com
igive   www.igive.com
escrip   www.escrip.com
goodshop and goodsearch   www.goodshop.com and www.goodsearch.org

8. Matching Gifts: Check with your employer to see if they will match your tax-deductible contribution. Every dollar you give can have double the impact! Email us with questions or if we can help.

9. Welcome Home Kits: Our residents transitioning into housing always need assistance settling into their new homes. This is a great opportunity for you, your family, church group or co-workers to assist!

10. Join Our Leadership Teams: Looking for a place to develop your professional skills and meet new friends while helping to serve those in need? We have three options, differing in commitment and structure:

Board committee. Meetings vary from once per month to once per quarter, and most are by phone. Committees include fundraising (planning events), marketing and communications, programs and facilities.
Associate Board. A group of twenty to thirty somethings that is committed to promoting the work of MV and becoming leaders in the community through effective volunteer service and social fundraising.
Governing Board. Email us to learn more.

11. Follow Us: Find MV on Facebook and Twitter and help us share critical information about the services we are providing to our Chicago neighbors in need. Share the latest news with your networks and stay in touch with us.

DONATE

Donations are 100% tax deductible. Margaret’s Village is a 501(c)3 organization. Online donations are credit card transactions that are handled by Network For Good’s secure online payment system.

Donate by check:

Margaret’s Village
7315 South Yale Avenue
Chicago, IL 60621-3441

Donate by phone:

Call 773.651.8372

Your Donation Matters. Please Send:

$50 provides a woman with enough bus passes to attend job training or City Colleges for a month
$100 provides our seniors with a month’s worth of healthy lunches
$200 provides a single woman with food, shelter and services for one week.
$1700 provides shelter and services for a father and son for one month.

For additional ways to donate please contact us.

Here are the many ways you can give:

Cash/Check

Cash/Check is the easiest way to make a donation and will qualify for the maximum allowable tax deduction.

Credit Card

You can make credit card donations through our website, or if you prefer, you can contact our Development Director at 773-651-8372 or geri.kerger@margaretsvillage.org and we can process the card for you.

Planned Giving

Planned Giving is a way any person can support Margaret’s Village and leave a legacy of love. Here’s a list of a few vehicles that can be utilized:

Marketable or Closely Held Securities
Life Insurance
Retirement Plans

See more details under our Leave a Legacy section!

Margaret’s Village provides more than 29,000 nights of shelter and 105,000 meals per year. Your donation will support our valuable services.

•$1,500 – one month of food for our residents

•$2,500 – one month for Vincennes Senior Center operations

•$5,000 – three months of shelter and services for mother and child

Homelessness Impacts Families and IS on the rise

Jobs that pay a living wage are nearly gone. Margaret’s Village is
one of a few shelters that accommodate intact families.

•$10,000 – two months of shelter and services for a family of six

Improving Infrastructure and achieving sustainability
It was 1989 when the late Cardinal Bernardin granted the property of St. Carthage parish to Margaret’s Village. Our buildings need new windows, tuck pointing, new roofing, and mechanical repairs.

Join our capital campaign.
Our goal of $1M will help to REIMAGINE our properties with much needed improvements, and support our sustainability and resiliency goals.

With a grateful heart, we accept contributions at any level.

Wish List

Make easy donations using Amazon or email us with your gift information? Please visit Amazon.com to purchase any of our always-needed Wish List items and Amazon will ship your gift directly to Margaret’s Village! Check out our Amazon Wish List here.

ALWAYS NEEDED

Our residents are always in need of Chicago bus passes. Residents use them to go to medical appointments, job interviews and jobs, and go to school.

KITCHEN SUPPLIES / FOOD

Silverware, Cups, Dishes

Kitchen soap

Paper towels

Paper plates, paper cups, plastic silverware

Gift certificates to Target, Jewel, Walmart

Kitchen towels

Plastic storage bags of all sizes

Spices and seasonings

Food items such as rice, beans, spaghetti, soup, cereal, flour, sugar, tuna, etc.

CLEANING SUPPLIES

Laundry Detergent

Dish Soap

Sponges, SOS pads, etc.

Rubber gloves

Pine-sol, Lysol, etc.

Bleach

Mops, brooms, pails

Garbage bags

Paper towels

BEDROOM SUPPLIES

Sheets, especiallly twin sheets

Washable Twin Comforters/Bedspreads

Blankets

Pillows for twin beds and pillowcases

Waste paper baskets

Rubbermaid Storage containers

Gift certificates to Target or Walmart

Bath towels and hand towels

PERSONAL ITEMS

Femine hygiene items

Deodorant (both women and men)

Shampoo, Bar Soap

Hand sanitizer

Toothpaste

Toothbrushes

Dental Floss

Brushes/Combs

Kleenex

Toilet Paper

Hats and Gloves

Gift certificates to Target, Walmart or Jewel

BABY SUPPLIES

Diapers (all sizes)

Wipes and Creams

Crib Sheets

Baby blankets

High Chairs in good condition

PROGRAM AND OFFICE SUPPLIES

Art Supplies of any kind including paints, paintbrushes

Paper (all kinds and colors)

Pens, Pencils, Markers

Sewing Machine

Supplies for sewing, knitting, quilting, etc.

Exercise equipment

Copy machine

Fax machine

Tape (all kinds)

Manilla Folders

Mailing Envelopes (all sizes)

Binders, Notebooks, Folders

3 hole punch

Flash drives

Computer equipment and software

Digital camera

Gift certificates to JoAnn’s or Michael’s, Target, Walmart, Staples or Office Depot

Volunteer

You can help by volunteering your time.

Serve on board committees such as fundraising events, resource development, and facilities

Advocacy on behalf of homeless and elder issues

Art projects for Vincenne’s Senior Center

Child care at our shelter

Construction, renovation, and maintenance projects, including painting

Design and production of printed materials or video projects

Food preparation (Churches, groups, and schools may volunteer to prepare and serve an evening meal for the shelter residents.)

Grant writing

Landscaping / Gardening

Office assistance (filing, mailing, data entry)

Organizing and participating in our Annual Community Health Fair

Program presentations: Do you have a skill or knowledge that you could share with the shelter residents or senior citizens?

Public relations and marketing

Volunteer monitors (ideal for school teachers and social workers)

For more information please email us using the form on this page. Be sure and select the volunteer button!

Are you a corporation or community group seeking volunteer opportunities? Please email us.

Leave A Legacy: Support Margaret’s Village Through Planned Giving.

There are many ways to leave a legacy for the people and causes you care about— while also providing financial and tax benefits to you and your family. These are just a few suggestions to discuss with your attorney/financial advisor.

When people heard the words “planned giving” they often think it is only something very wealthy people do. The reality is people of all income levels can have dramatic impact on nonprofits with their charitable giving.

Bequest Margaret’s Village in a Will or Trust

One of the many ways that a supporter may choose to express his/her commitment to our long-term sustainability is by naming Margaret’s Village in your will or trust. This is a way to make a lasting investment in Margaret’s Village without affecting your current financial security and freedom. Planned gifts offer you the flexibility to balance your personal financial goals and your desire to provide for loved ones with your interest in supporting Margaret’s Village. If you already have included Margaret’s Village in your estate plans, please email us to provide information.

Bequests and living trusts are some of the most common tools of planned giving. You may choose to give a specific dollar amount or a percentage of your estate, or any part of the residue which is the remainder of the estate after all bequests and obligations are satisfied.

Some types of bequests to consider:

Unrestricted Bequests: Allows Margaret’s Village to direct your gift where it is needed the most.
Restricted Bequests: Donor directs the use of the funds for a particular purpose (for shelter programs or senior programs, etc.)
Specific Bequest: Gives a specific asset such as stock or cash
Residuary Bequest: Gives all or a percentage of what remains in your estate to Margaret’s Village after all other specific bequests have been satisfied and all debts and expenses have been paid.
Contingent Bequest: Gives all or a portion of your estate to Margaret’s Village when a named individual beneficiary dies before you. For example, “I give $20,000 to my neighbor John, but if he does not survive me, the bequest shall be given to Margaret’s Village.”

You can include wording in your will or trust such as: “I give, devise, and bequeath to Margaret’s Village, located at 7315 S. Yale Chicago, IL 60621 (Tax Identification Number: 36-3104655) the amount of $_____, or __________% of the residue of my estate, to be used for general operating support.”

There are many vehicles that may be used in estate planning including various types of trusts, annuities, stock transfers, life insurance designations, retirement plans, etc. Your financial situation is unique, so it is important to discuss with your attorney/financial advisor the best tools to carry out your wishes.

There are also ways to donate NOW with special tax benefits or other considerations.

Marketable or Closely Held Securities

Appreciated stocks and bonds may be given to Margaret’s Village, allowing donors to deduct their current market value as a charitable contribution and avoid capital gains tax on the appreciation. For example, Mary wants to make a year-end gift to Margaret’s Village of $5,000. If she sells $5,000 worth of stock and gives the after-tax balance to Margaret’s Village, she may be donating considerably less than $5,000 depending upon the amount of capital gains tax she will be required to pay. Furthermore, her charitable deduction will not be based upon the full $5,000, but rather, the amount actually received by Margaret’s Village. However, if Mary transfers the stock itself to Margaret’s Village, she will not pay any capital gains tax and she will be able to deduct the current value of the stock ($5,000 in this example) as a charitable contribution.

Life Insurance

Among the many ways to donate life insurance, the simplest way is to designate Margaret’s Village as a beneficiary of the policy. You can also transfer ownership of a paid-up policy or donate insurance policy dividends. Typically, transferring ownership of a policy allows the donor to receive a current income tax deduction in the year transferred. Check with your financial/tax advisor for specific details.

Retirement Plans

Donors can give their required minimum distribution from an IRA to charity tax-free. Donors 70 1/2 and older who do not need all or a portion of their IRA income may take advantage of the IRA Charitable Rollover provision and make annual tax-free charitable gifts of up to $100,000 each ($200,000 per couple) directly from their qualified IRAs to Margaret’s Village and other favorite charities without recognizing the assets transferred as income. The distributions will count toward their annual required minimum distribution (RMD) which can help them reduce their income and pay less taxes. Certain restrictions apply so be sure to contact your financial/tax advisor to help analyze your benefits.

This information is not intended to be financial or legal advice, so please consult with your professional advisors to determine the current law and the best way for you to invest in Margaret’s Village.

We would like to share with you the many ways your support of Margaret’s Village will impact the women, families and seniors we serve. Please contact Geri Kerger, Development Director at geri.kerger@margaretsvillage.org or 773-651-8372 for more information.

Margaret’s Village is on the move! We want keep you informed about our work on behalf of Chicago’s neediest community members and our upcoming activities and events. Just take a moment to fill in your email and name, and you will be part of our network. Thanks!