Ways to Give

Your gift makes a difference

Literacy Chicago provides adult learners tuition-free education through the generosity of people like you. While public support provides the framework by which Literacy Chicago serves the community, our mission is brought to life through the passion and commitment of private and corporate donors.

The power of your gift directly impacts students’ lives, as well as the community at large. An educated adult is a better parent, a more productive employee and an active citizen who gives back to his or her community. The ways you can make a difference are without limits.

Pledge Giving

Pledge giving is the automated installment plan for donors who want ease and convenience in making donations. Simply choose a gift method (credit card or check) and select the frequency of giving and the total amount of the contribution.

Commemorative, Holiday and Memorial Gifts

Tribute gifts are fantastic ways to honor the birthday of your friends and family, to appreciate the gift of a tutor's time, and celebrate weddings and anniversaries. These gifts offer a meaningful way to mark an important personal or family occasion while also supporting a worthy cause. Our lovely tribute cards, which can be sent on any special occasion in lieu of a greeting card, will be sent to the recipient directly from Literacy Chicago. Find out more about our tribute cards (tribute_cards.pdf)

Leaders for Literacy - Celebrating 11 years of Achievement

Leaders for Literacy proudly celebrates 11 years of life changing accomplishments with Nancy Searle throughout 2006. From its impressive start of twenty-nine Leaders, Nancy is close to achieving her goal of cultivating one hundred Leaders a year to support a student, each at $500 per term. Your consideration of becoming a Leader for Literacy is personally important to Nancy and to the adult learners at Literacy Chicago - your support is proven to change lives and increase self-sufficiency. Find out how you can become a Leader for Literacy.

Leaders Circle

As a major gift campaign, Literacy Chicago's Leaders Circle provides donors with the opportunity to support targeted academic, capacity-building and facility needs. Contributions made through Leaders Circle are welcomed as one-time gifts, annual gifts, and multiple-year pledge commitments. Leaders Circle contributors may direct their generous contributions towards several critical needs areas - "learning Tools," "Circle Scholars" and "It Starts Here."

Leaders Circle gifts receive special recognition on Literacy Chicago's honor roll in our reception area, website, newsletter, and annual report. It is the perfect opportunity to pay tribute to family, friends, and colleagues.

United Way, Payroll Deduction and Employee Giving Campaigns

Making charitable donations directly from your paycheck is convenient and easy way to give to Literacy Chicago. To make a gift to Literacy Chicago through your company’s United Way giving campaign, simply designate us as the recipient of your generosity. Many companies also allow employees to donate to their organization of choice through payroll deduction programs which are often is matched to increase their value. Contact your benefits administrator to inquire about your company’s options in charitable giving.

Corporate Matching Gifts

Your gifts carry an even greater impact when matched by an employer. Many companies will match, double or even triple your personal contribution through an Employee Matching Gift program. Ask your employer for details.

Sharon Linden Memorial Fund

Throughout her life, Sharon Linden inspired students to meet and overcome challenges in order to realize their true potential. Giving to the Sharon Linden Memorial Fund provides Literacy Chicago resources for new initiatives, growing programs and unique, life-changing educational opportunities for students.

Planned Giving

Planned gifts are ideal for those who wish to support Literacy Chicago’s mission into the future. Making a planned gift in the form of a bequest, trust, annuity or estate gift allows you to protect your current assets while allowing Literacy Chicago to plan for its long-term growth and success.

Event Sponsorships

Literacy Chicago holds many special events throughout the year to raise public awareness of adult-literacy needs. Your corporation can partner with Literacy Chicago to give back to the community by helping to underwrite the costs of special events.

By sponsoring Literacy Chicago special events, your company also enjoys the benefits of the good will generated by community involvement, public relations, and media coverage as well as exposure to Literacy Chicago audiences. Corporate sponsorship and cause related marketing programs allow more of the guests’ contributions to directly benefit Literacy Chicago students. Get more information on upcoming events. Contact Barry A. Benson, Director of Development and Marketing, at 312.870.1100, ext. 103, or Bbenson@literacychicago.org.

iGive.com

If you could give Literacy Chicago up to 27% of many of your online purchases at no extra cost to you, would you? That's exactly what happens when you join the free online community iGive.com. Once you're a member, every time you shop there Literacy Chicago will receive a percentage of each purchase you make.

Worried you'll forget to shop through iGive? Download their shopping window that pops up a reminder every time you're visiting an iGive site. Your purchases will be tracked for you through the pop up.

Just think of it -- free money for Literacy Chicago, your choice of over 500 nationally-known online merchants like Barnes & Noble, Eddie Bauer, Lands' End and PETsMART, your privacy guaranteed, plus money-saving deals and specials every day. Try iGive.com, a free and easy way to donate while you shop.

In-kind Gifts

In-kind gifts such as books, supplies, goods and professional services are critical to Literacy Chicago in reducing operating costs that otherwise directly serve our programs. We value your contribution of new and gently used books. Contributions of office supplies, furniture and professional services are also appreciated. Contact Lisa McCaskill, Development & Communications Manager, at 312.870.1100, ext. 101, or Lmccaskill@literacychicago.org.

For example, this website would not be possible without the following generous contributions:

Design concept by Mobium Creative Group, www.mobium.com

Website development by Cathy Waligurski, clwaligurski@yahoo.com

Project Management and website development by Crystal Point Consulting, www.crystalpointconsulting.com

How you can contribute

Be part of helping Literacy Chicago students start a new chapter in their lives by making the gift of literacy today. Contributions can be made by check or credit card. Literacy Chicago accepts American Express, Visa and MasterCard. To make a donation, contact Lisa McCaskill, Development & Communications Manager, at 312.870.1100, ext. 101, or Lmccaskill@literacychicago.org.

For more information

For more information, contact Lisa McCaskill, Development & Communications Manager, at 312.870.1100, ext. 101, or Lmccaskill@literacychicago.org.