Ways to Give

Unrestricted Gifts

Donors who make unrestricted gifts ensure that Advocates has a consistent and reliable income stream that allows us to adapt to the ever-changing needs of the people we support.

Unrestricted gifts allow us to utilize your donation where it is needed most, including providing safe and comfortable homes, organizing social and recreational programs, and developing innovative new programs.  

Monthly Giving

Some friends choose to automatically give a regular donation throughout the year. It’s easy to do and helps us plan programs and services. 

Leadership Giving Circles

Leadership giving circles honor our most loyal donors and bring together like-minded members of the Advocates community. Members have the satisfaction of knowing their generosity makes it possible for individuals to lead a full life and enjoy decent and affordable housing, meaningful work, satisfying relationships, and good health. Learn more. 

Tribute Gifts

Memorial and tribute gifts are a lovely way to honor or remember a loved one, friend, or colleague.  

When you donate in honor of a loved one’s birthday, anniversary, or other special occasion, we send a personal note letting them know you made a gift in their honor.  

When you make a gift in memory of someone recently deceased, we send a personal note letting the person’s family letting them know that you made a gift. 

If you would like to direct family and friends to make gifts to Advocates in lieu of flowers, please use the following language: In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of (deceased loved one) may be made to Advocates, 1881 Worcester Road, Framingham, MA, 01701 or www.advocates.org. 

Matching Gifts

Many companies match their employees’ charitable donations. It’s a great way to double or even triple your gift. Please reach out to your employer’s human resources department to request a matching gift form. 

Restricted Gifts

Some individuals and foundations prefer to give a gift for a specific program or project. If you are interested in restricting your gift to a specific fund, please contact us so we can be sure to handle your gift appropriately.  

Stock Gifts

When you contribute an appreciated security you have owned for more than one year, you receive a tax deduction for the full market value of the donation. Your gift of stock will help us provide quality programs and services, and you’ll avoid capital gains tax on the appreciation of your stock. To donate stock to Advocates, please contact your broker with the information below and have the stock transferred to our account.

• Account holder: Advocates, Inc.
• Financial Institution: Fidelity
• Account number:  Z50151718
• DTC#: 0226

Donor Advised Funds (DAF)

Giving through your donor advised fund is quick, easy, and a great way to maximize the impact of your gift. Your fund sponsor (including community foundations and investments companies like Fidelity, Schwab and Vanguard) handles all record-keeping, disbursements, and tax-receipts.  And Advocates uses your gift to ensure the individuals we support are safe, healthy, and living full lives. You can find us on your donor advised fund sponsor’s list of charities as Advocates, Inc. You can also find us through our Tax ID #23-7451423.

Planned Giving

Planned gifts provide long-term support for Advocates as well as immediate or deferred tax benefits.  Planned gifts create extraordinary opportunities for Advocates and preserve our future.  There are many easy giving options ranging from naming Advocates as a beneficiary in your will to more complex trust arrangements.  Please consult with your estate planning attorney to determine the right plan to achieve your goals.
Examples of easy and tax efficient planned gift options include:

• Gifts by Will – Including Advocates in your will, either as a set amount or as a percentage of your estate, is the easiest way to include Advocates in your estate plans. Benefits of leaving a bequest include leaving a lasting legacy to be remembered, lessening the burden of taxes on your family, and the potential for estate tax savings.
• IRA Distributions -- If you or a family member are 70 ½ or older and have an individual retirement account (IRA), you can make a tax-free gift (also known as a qualified charitable deduction) to Advocates directly from your IRA, reducing your taxable income.  
• Gifts of Life Insurance – Naming Advocates as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy is a wonderful way to make a special gift to Advocates without dipping into your capital assets.

If you have already named Advocates as a beneficiary of a planned gift, please let us know so we can properly thank you.