For more than 125 years, the YWCA Central Massachusetts has helped women and children by providing a safe haven and support. During this special time of year, please consider making a gift to support the YWCA’s families. Your donation will help the YWCA continue to be a beacon of hope for individuals.

Shelter Wish List
Please help us make the holidays special for the women and children living in our domestic violence shelters by donating the new and unused items on the Wish List.

Holiday Giving Tree
The YWCA Giving Tree is an annual holiday tradition of a confidential wish list made by the women and children of our domestic violence services program. We encourage you to pick a gift tag from the tree, purchase the requested gift(s), and then return the gift and tag back to the YWCA.

This fundraiser is very important to those in need, your participation is key to the happiness and joy our clients feel during this time. The Giving Tree is located in the main lobby of our Worcester location. Please contact Lory Santoro at 508-791-3181, ext. 3084 for more information.

Workers’ Credit Union Holiday Gift Drives
Various WCU branches will support the YWCA’s domestic violence programs by running gift drives for books and toys, bath and body care, and winter outerwear from November 21 through December 15, 2011. Suggestion lists are available at participating locations. Please contact Linda Lagoy at 978-353-7035 for more information.

On behalf of the YWCA of Central Massachusetts, thank you for your support and best wishes for a joyous and peaceful holiday season!

All donors have the right:

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 acknowledgment 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.

Volunteering is an important part of the YWCAs’ progressive history. We depend on the commitment of dedicated adults to serve women and girls through many great volunteer opportunities.

Whatever your background and interests, and whatever level of commitment your schedule permits, the YWCA Central Massachusetts needs your experience and energy to serve women and girls in the community.

If you are interested in a volunteer opportunity or if there is a special skill or talent you would like to offer the YWCA, please tell us about it. Complete a volunteer application and send it to us by email, fax or mail.

Download a Volunteer Application Form

Submit Your Application by:

Email: HR@ywcaworcester.org

Mail:
Human Resources
YWCA Central Massachusetts
1 SalemSquare
Worcester, MA 01608-2015

By Fax: 508-754-0496

Thank you for your interest in YWCA Central Massachusetts. We will consider all applications as soon as they are received, however due to the high volume of resumes, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

For information about volunteer opportunities in your area of interest, email HR@ywcaworcester.org.

Host a Cell Phone Drive
The YWCA collects used cell phones which are refurbished to benefit the YWCA’s Domestic Violence Programs. To host a corporate drive or to become a drop off location, a company provides a drop off box, a staff member to be a liaison to the YWCA and promotes the drive to employees or customers. The YWCA provides a ready-made flyer for distribution and will pick up cell phones at your location.

Office Supplies
By donating equipment and office supplies, you can help the YWCA offset administrative costs and thereby fund more services.

Promotional/Fundraising Donations
The YWCA appreciates in-kind donations including products, memorabilia, art, dining and shopping gift certificates year round for auction, raffle or inclusion at our fundraising events.

Professional Services
If you have technical skill or expertise that you would like to donate to the YWCA on an ongoing or project basis, we would warmly welcome your ideas!

Group Projects
Corporate teams are welcome to help out, too. If you have project idea, or would like to know what projects are waiting to be tackled here at the YWCA, we would like to hear from you.

Please be aware that the YWCA is unable to perform repairs, cleaning, or pick up donated items.

You can also support our efforts by offering a substantial discount on items, products or services to the YWCA. We use these donations for educational events/fundraising events/and other community outreach opportunities.

If you don’t see an in-kind donation you’d like to make included in this list, please contact us, we appreciate the many forms creative in-kind donations can take. Interested individuals/companies must contact the Development Office to donate in-kind items, please contact the Director of Development at development@ywcaworcester.org. Donations are acknowledged upon request.

Sponsorship can be a strategic positioning tool for companies to increase their corporate visibility and profile by partnering with a registered charity.

The YWCA offers sponsorship opportunities for many of its events, programs and services. Here are some examples:

• Tribute to Women Luncheon Awards Program  
• Battered Women’s Resources Annual Gala
• Media sponsorship for events and programs
• In kind sponsorships

The YWCA seeks sponsorships from companies:

• That have business practices that are compatible with the YWCA’s mandate and values;
• That have demonstrated a commitment to the community and may have done so through relationships with other community organizations;
• That encourage progressive employee relations and foster growth and equity for women;
• That are committed to socially responsible policies.

The YWCA recognizes company sponsors in many ways, including:

• Acknowledgement in the YWCA Annual Report and the YWCA Newsletter;
• Visibility in YWCA printed materials and media ads/coverage;
• Tickets to the event being sponsored;
• Recognition by the emcee of an event, function or activity;
• First right of refusal to become the sponsor of an event; function or activity the following year;
• Opportunity to involve employees in volunteer positions at the YWCA provided that these opportunities are appropriate.

Events rely on the generous support of our community sponsors. If you or your organization is interested in sponsoring an event, simply contact the Director of Development at 508-767-2505, ext.3009.

Thank you for your support.

Donate Online
To make a donation online, please click here. You can contribute online securely, using your Visa®, MasterCard®, or Discover® credit/charge cards or using your ATM CheckCard (if it has a Visa® or MasterCard® logo).

Donate By Mail
To make a donation by mail, please print the Donation Form and mail it with your donation to:

YWCA Central Massachusetts
Development Office
1 Salem Square
Worcester, MA 01608

Donate by Phone
You can make a credit card contribution by phone by calling the Director of Development at 508-767-2505, ext. 3009.

Don’t forget to Match Your Gift
Your dollars go even farther with a matching gift. Many companies sponsor matching gift programs to encourage employees to support their community. Most companies match dollar for dollar, and some will double or triple match gifts!

The YWCA Central Massachusetts is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization supported largely through generous contributions from individuals like you. We welcome donors and supporters to view our financial forms below.

Audited Financial Statements for 2010
990 Form