Youth Challenge is a private non-profit agency with IRS 501 (c)(3) tax-exemption status. The agency does not receive funding from the government and is not a United Way agency. Donations from individuals, corporations, foundations, and civic organizations are given throughout the year and make up the agency's operating budget. Gifts of any size are accepted and welcome year-round. If you have any questions on making a donation, please contact Youth Challenge at (440) 892-1001. Copies of YC's financial statement and IRS 501(3)(c) letter are available upon request.
The Annual Fund is YC's largest fundraiser. The goal of the 2011-12
Annual Fund, Embrace the Challenge, is $140,000 to benefit general
operations at Youth Challenge. Your support helps to continue sports and
recreational opportunities for children with physical disabilities. You
can give online to the Annual Fund.
Youth Challenge secures funds from individuals, businesses and organizations to support participants who are in financial need. Raising a child with a disability is very expensive and many families cannot afford to send the child to year-round programs. Sponsorships are used for the participant's program costs and directly impact their lives and their families. The standard cost to sponsor a participant for one year is $1,500. Donations of smaller or larger sizes are also appreciated. You may give online to the Sponsorship Program.
Matching Gift Program
One of the smartest ways to give is through a matching gift program, where a company - or individual - will match your donations to Youth Challenge. These matches are often dollar for dollar, which doubles your charitable-donation power.
Check with your company's human resources or payroll department to see whether it offers a matching gift program. If your company is eligible, request a matching gift form from your employer, and send it completed and signed with your gift. We will do the rest. The impact of your gift to YC may be doubled or possibly tripled! Some companies match gifts made by retirees and/or spouses.
Click here to see a list of some companies with matching gift programs.
Giant Eagle FuelPerks Cards
You can help Youth Challenge reduce transportation costs. It's easy to get your YC FuelPerks card, shop at Giant Eagle, scan your YC FuelPerks card and go! Stop by YC to pick up your card or call 440-892-1001 to have one sent to you.
Memorials/Tributes
Donations are welcome in the memory of deceased family or friends or to celebrate an anniversary, wedding, birth, etc. Making a donation in someone's name for a Christmas or holiday gift has also become popular.
YC was excited to be launching our Planned Giving Program in 2005. Planned giving allows you to combine philanthropic goals with financial needs to support the YC mission and programs. One way to participate is by making a bequest. A bequest is a testamentary gift made to YC through a will or beneficiary designation on a life insurance policy or retirement account policy. When establishing your will, we hope that you will consider a bequest to YC to help us continue our mission of helping children with all abilities. Bequests are a great way to express your values while leaving a legacy of life for those who follow you.
Youth Challenge holds an endowment fund managed by UBS Financial Services, Inc. and The Cleveland Foundation. The fund acts as a savings account for the organization. Donating to the Endowment Fund allows for your gift to keep giving as it insures the agency will have emergency funds if needed and will build funds to secure the agency's future. Click here to donate to the endowment fund online through The Cleveland Foundation's website. Please be sure to select Youth Challenge from the Fund drop down menu. You can donate using a credit card or stock.
United Way
Gifts may be designated for YC through the United Way. The Youth Challenge United Way number is 52988.