Funding

The EAR's operating budget comes in part from municipal and county jurisdictions and state governments in partial payment for services rendered. The remainder (funds for the special receivers, equipment, etc.) must be raised from private sources.

Donations to the Metropolitan Washington Ear are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

 

WHY DONATE:

For the blind and visually impaired, the services provided by the Metropolitan Washington Ear can be life-changing: a chance to be more independent, to continue their education, to be an active part of the community. By making a donation to the Metropolitan Washington Ear you will help ensure that Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC  blind and visually impaired citizens have the same access to information that you do.

There are so many things sighted people take for granted especially the amount of information gotten from printed material. The Metropolitan Washington Ear provides a vital service to the blind and visually impaired, allowing them the same access to newspapers, novels, shopping & food ads and other materials as sighted people. 

When you donate to MWE, you join many concerned supporters who enable our staff and volunteers to empower visually impaired people to become more independent and contributing members of the community.

  • The value of your donation is greatly enhanced by our low overhead and extensive use of volunteers.  
  • We do not rent, sell or exchange the names of our donors with any other organizations.
  • All contributions are tax deductible as we are a 501(c)(3) organization.

 

The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically handicapped (N.L.S.) has statistics showing that 3% of the general population qualifies for audio reading services (radio reading, talking books, etc.)  Other reliable sources estimate that one out of six people (16% under age 45 consider themselves visually impaired and one our of five people over age 70 (20%) have "severe vision loss".   Figures show one out of four (25%) over age 80 and one out of three (33%) over age 90.

 

It's easy to donate to the Metropolitan Washington Ear. Simply:

  • Mail a check or money order:
    (Payable to The Metropolitan Washington Ear)

·          

·         Metropolitan Washington Ear

·         12061 Tech Rd

·         Silver Spring, MD 20904

 

 

Tribute Gifts:

Tribute gifts include commemorative and memorial gifts. Both provide a meaningful opportunity to support the Metropolitan Washington Ear while recognizing significant people in your life, and both can be given in honor of a family member or friend.

When you give a commemorative gift, the Metropolitan Washington Ear will send a letter to the person you have chosen to honor, letting her/him know of your contribution (no gift amount is mentioned).

Memorials are tribute gifts that honor a lost loved one. When you give a memorial gift, the Metropolitan Washington Ear will send a letter to the family of the deceased listing all of the people who have sent a memorial (no gift amount is disclosed).

Matching Gifts:
Some employers have a matching gift program that will double or even triple your contribution. Please obtain a matching gift form from your employer following their directions.  

In some cases employers will donate to organizations where employees volunteer without a matching gift.  You may obtain this form from your human resources department.

Your bequest can provide important support to MWE while meeting your specific financial and estate planning goals.  A bequest to MWE is usually eligible for an estate tax charitable deduction in the full amount of the bequest.  Before proceeding, please discuss your plans with your attorney or tax planner.

If you decide to include MWE in your will, estate plan or other long-range financial arrangement, please let us know.


DONOR BILL OF RIGHTS

PHILANTHROPY is based on the voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life. To assure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the not-for-profit organizations and causes they are asked to support, we declare that all donors have these rights:

1. To be informed of the organization's mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.
2. To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization's governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities.
3. To have access to the organization's most recent financial statements.
4. To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
5. To receive appropriate acknowledgement and recognition.
6. To be assured that information about their donations is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.
7. To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.
8. To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization or hired solicitors.
9. To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share.
10. To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.

Developed by:
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF FUND RAISING COUNSEL (AAFRC)
ASSOCIATION FOR HEALTHCARE PHILANTHROPY (AHP)
COUNCIL FOR ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF EDUCATION (CASE)
ASSOCIATION OF FUNDRAISING PROFESSIONALS (AFP)

Endorsed by:
(IN FORMATION)
INDEPENDENT SECTOR
NATIONAL CATHOLIC DEVELOPMENT ON PLANNED GIVING (NCPG)
COUNCIL FOR RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (CRD)
UNITED WAY OF AMERICA

 

 

 

Return to Table of Contents

funding@washear.org