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When you make a donation to UMFS, you become an unwavering champion for high-risk children and families across the state of Virginia. Your donation makes a tremendous impact, empowering high-risk children to reach their full potential.
Consider monthly giving. Become part of a powerful network of unwavering champions who provide critical foundational support for UMFS, investing to create a brighter future for high-risk children.
We are grateful for your partnership. Thank you!
Your Gift Supports Foster Children Like Mark
“Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t be something and don’t let your past hold you down.”
– Mark Smith, foster care youth
With the love and support of his UMFS family, Mark Smith has been working hard to change his life. Mark had a rough childhood, which included the imprisonment of his father and the death of his mother. He moved through several foster homes and a residential facility before he became part of the UMFS Treatment Foster Care program in 2014. Like many foster children, he was behind in school and struggling with anger and depression.
UMFS matched Mark with a loving foster family and provided the entire family with unwavering support. As a result, Mark was able to catch up in school, and even more impressive, graduate with honors. His success earned him a college scholarship, making Mark the first in his family to attend college.
There are 5,330 children like Mark in foster care in Virginia. Nationally, only 50% of foster youth complete high school by age 18, and less than 9% graduate from college.
Give other foster youth the same love and support that helped Mark to shatter these statistics. Your financial gift to UMFS supports foster children like Mark across the state of Virginia.
Changing Lives One Dish at a Time
Your Gift Supports Educational Opportunities For High-Risk Children
The UMFS Charterhouse School provides specialized programs for students struggling with emotional, behavioral, or developmental challenges, and autism or other neurological differences.
In addition to teaching a core curriculum, the school provides career training that will help our students be successful long after they leave the classroom.
The culinary class is part of Charterhouse Shool’s career training program. As with many of our classes, the culinary program helps students learn practical skills while also teaching valuable life lessons.
After students master basic kitchen skills, they start to tackle more complicated projects. Each year, the culinary program caters over 30 meals. The students manage each step of the process, with guidance from their teacher, Chef Brown. They approve the catering job, develop the menu, research and select recipes, develop the food order, prepare the food, and serve the meal.
The pride the culinary students have in their accomplishments shines through. “That was my menu. That was my lamb, and everybody loved it. I was so excited!” remembered student Mya. She really enjoyed catering. “You get to see people’s reaction and appreciation. To see that we’ve touched people – that’s worth more than any gift.”
Why Donors Support UMFS
“I am so proud of UMFS. They have changed as the needs have changed. UMFS gives hope to so many families who are wondering, ‘What can I do for this child?’”
– Carolyn Wake
Read more about Carolyn & John Wake
“When you are aware of the impact UMFS makes in the lives of children and families, it’s clear why they are such a good partner. We know that UMFS is in the business of changing lives. We are honored to support their efforts and we appreciate all they do for our hometown and beyond.”
– Mac Stuckey, Former President,
The CarMax Foundation
“It’s exciting to say that we can commit money to something we feel strongly about. My wife and I are honored to give to UMFS because of their redemptive work in the lives of children and families in need. They help kids realize their intrinsic worth and potential and exemplify God’s compassion and heart in redeeming broken families. It is our joy to participate in such a beautiful mission of restoration.”
– Brandon Linton
Read more about Brandon & Jane Linton
Learn more about UMFS
More Ways to Give
Gifts of Securities
When you donate appreciated securities to UMFS, you receive several benefits. In addition to the standard tax deduction for making a charitable donation, you may also avoid the capital gains tax.
Gifts from Your IRA
Once you reach age 70½, you must start taking the RMD (Required Minimum Distribution) from your IRA account. Instead of taking the full RMD yourself, you can choose to make a QCD (Qualified Charitable Distribution) to UMFS, which may be tax free.
PLANNED GIVING
Join the UMFS 1900 Society to help high-risk children and their families become self-sufficient, contributing members of their communities, now and into the future. You’ll be empowering generations to come.
There are many ways to give, from leaving a bequest to UMFS in your will to gifts from your retirement plan or life insurance.
Workplace Giving
Employer Matching – Many employers match, double, or even triple gifts or volunteer hours made by their employees. Please check your employer’s plan for details.
State and federal campaign codes:
Combined Federal Campaign CFC #16010
Donor Advised Funds
We welcome grants from your donor advised fund. While some funds share your name with us when you make a grant, some do not. We want to thank you for your gift. We therefore encourage you to notify us when you make a grant at development@umfs.org or 804.254.9450.
AMAZON SMILE
Amazon donates 0.5% of your eligible purchases to UMFS.
Log in at smile.amazon.com and search for UMFS.
Create a Legacy
The UMFS 1900 Society
As someone who cares about leaving the world a better place than you found it, it’s never too soon to start thinking about your legacy.
When you make a planned gift to UMFS, you join the UMFS 1900 Society. Your gift is an investment in high-risk children and their families, helping them become self-sufficient, contributing members of their communities, now and into the future. You’ll be empowering generations to come.
The UMFS 1900 Society Planned Giving Options
UMFS offers a range of approaches to create a legacy that will achieve your charitable and financial objectives.
Please CONTACT US to join the UMFS 1900 Society, or to talk with us further about your planned giving options.
Please consult your lawyer and financial or tax adviser for complete information on your personal legal, tax, and financial implications and situation.
Learn More
Or contact us directly at development@umfs.org, or 804.254.9450