When you donate to UGM, where does your money go?

Frequently Asked Questions: How will my donation be used?

By Barbara Comito, Director of Marketing & Communications

When we asked the volunteers who greet walk-in visitors and answer the phone to tell us the questions that most frequently come their way, this one was at the top of the list.

We applaud you for asking! It’s a great question – one we think everyone who gives to charity should be asking.

“’Just as you don’t plunk money into every stock,’ don’t feel obligated ‘to pass bills to every extended hand.’ Instead, think about what issues are most important to you and target your money ‘where it will do the most good’” (The Week Magazine).

In 2013, 87% of the Union Gospel Mission’s total revenue went into program services; 8% went toward fundraising; and 5% went into administrative services.

When we say “program services,” here’s what we mean:

• 375,306 meals
• 2,100 visits in our medical, eye and dental clinics
• 5,515 individuals given clothing
• 650 pet owners served
• 7 cars given away
• 47 men, 128 women and 64 children welcomed into our long-term recovery programs
• 150 men and women employed after long periods of unemployment
• 25 men and women graduating and returning to society as God-dependent, contributing members

Over the past 12 months, your gifts enabled us to extend the love of Christ to 4,074 homeless men, women and children at UGM’s 4 shelters.

Interested in even more details?

For UGM, “total revenue” included $4,566,224 worth of in-kind donations in 2013.

• $1,837,619 in food
• $1,726,406 in clothing, furniture and household items
• $1,002,199 in vehicles

The generosity of our food suppliers is what enables us to serve a meal for $1.84.

Some vehicles are given away to program residents – mostly single moms with young children – but the vast majority are sold to raise money for the ministry. Giving a car – even one that isn’t running – is just like writing a check. 

Clothing, furniture and household items that are not needed by guests or the ministry at large are sold at the UGM Thrift Stores to finance UGM’s services to the homeless.

The Union Gospel Mission operates 100% free of government funding. By the grace of God, and as a result of your generosity, we are able to offer various resources and services to the poor and homeless. Please know that we take the stewardship of your gifts very seriously. Your trust is important to us, and we never wish to put it in jeopardy.

If you have more questions regarding how your money is spent, please feel free to leave them in the comments section below. You might also like to download UGM's annual report.

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