WAYS TO GIVE
Why Give to FCDSN? People often say they give in order to “make a difference.” This phrase means different things to different people. By donating to Flower City Down Syndrome Network (FCDSN), it means you will be making a difference and helping us fulfill our mission to empower individuals, educate families, enhance communities and together, celebrate the extraordinary lives of people with Down syndrome.
Your donation enables us to do such things as offer social group outings for our members and their families, provide Welcome Baskets to new and expectant parents, host Moms group events, reimbursements and more. These are just few ways in which your giving will make a difference!
To those of you have supported FCDSN in the past - thank you! We hope that your generosity towards our mission continues. To those of you who may be first-time donors, we urge you to explore our website to learn more about our programs and how we strive to serve individuals with Down syndrome and their families in the Greater Rochester community.
FCDSN is a fiscally responsible, independent, non-profit 501(c) (3) and a key member of the Greater Rochester’s non-profit community.
Examples of how your donations help FCDSN:
$10 sends a care package to a family whose child is hospitalized
$25 allows an adult with Down syndrome to attend our Social Group outings
$50 helps send a new or expectant family a Welcome Basket
IN HONOR OR MEMORIAL GIVING
Making a gift in honor or in memory of someone you care for is a touching way in which someone can support the work of FCDSN.
We appreciate your desire to give to FCDSN in honor or in memory of a loved one.
VOLUNTEERING
Interested in volunteering? Volunteers are an essential part of our organization! Without volunteers like you, the organization and the programs and services we offer would not exist. Come join us in spreading awareness, educating, and promoting inclusion and acceptance of people with Down syndrome in the Greater Rochester area.
Volunteers must be 16 years and older. We welcome volunteers in high school and college.
Although encouraged, no prior experience is necessary.
Volunteers will receive a brief training before the event and will have continued guidance from the volunteer coordinators.
MONTHLY GIVING
You can make a difference all year round by making a monthly donation to Flower City Down Syndrome Network. Monthly donors believe deeply in our mission and vision and are passionate about supporting individuals with Down syndrome.
How will my gift make a difference?
Any gift amount makes a big difference in the lives of people with Down syndrome and their families. Your ongoing support provides a solid foundation for the programs and resources that we provide in our community. Here is a sample of what your generosity can accomplish:
Benefits of Donating Monthly
Monthly donations are both generous and practical. Donors know that giving monthly allows FCDSN to increase efficiency, plan effectively, and focus more on programs that empower individuals with Down syndrome.
As a monthly donor, you will enjoy:
Hassle-free monthly donations
Have immediate impact: knowledge that your gift makes a difference in the lives of people with Down syndrome, while also decreasing our administrative costs
Easy adjustments: you can change or suspend your donation at any time
Tax-deductible statement: donations made online will receive an automatic confirmation email that can be used for tax purposes. An annual giving statement can also be provided upon request.
UNITED WAY
Support FCDSN through the United Way! Our United Way number is 2512.
United Way of Greater Rochester brings together local people, companies, nonprofits and leaders to build a thriving community for all.
CORPORATE SPONSORS
To those of you who have been Corporate Sponsors of the FCDSN, on behalf of the board, volunteers, other donors and most of all, the children and adults with Down syndrome and their families that we serve - THANK YOU! We love our mission and we love those we serve, but we couldn’t accomplish all that we do without those who financially support us and help provide the fuel for our mission. To those of you who are considering becoming one of our Corporate Sponsors, we hope that you will thoughtfully ponder one or more of our sponsorship opportunities.
FCDSN organizes a variety of events for our Down syndrome community throughout the year. Our events attract long-time supporters, new families and friends as well as many people, who have merely been touched by an individual with Down syndrome and want to express their loyalty. FCDSN continues to seek additional ways to make new friends and raise funds for our mission. When members of the Down syndrome community see businesses supporting individuals with disabilities, their consumer behavior is affected in a positive way as both a return customer and fan.
We encourage you to consider becoming a sponsor of one of our events (The Buddy Walk, World Down Syndrome Day, and our annual Member Appreciation Events). Your brand will receive maximum exposure and your commitment will resonate deeply within the Down syndrome community and beyond.
Some of our Corporate Sponsors choose to sponsor one particular event, while other companies choose a multifaceted sponsorship package. We are also open to creative conversations about possible in-kind donations of goods or services that your company might be able to provide to the FCDSN.
If you would like to set up a meeting to discuss some of this year’s opportunities, or if you have any questions, please email fcdsn21@gmail.com or call 585-568-7421.
MATCHING GIFTS
A great option for many people to leverage their giving for an even greater impact is through corporate matching gifts. Many corporations have matching gift programs and will match your donation to an accredited charitable organization. It’s an easy way to double or even triple the impact of your personal contribution to FCDSN.
How to make a matching gift
Check with your human resources department to find out whether your company has a matching gift policy. If so, your employer will usually provide a form for you to fill out and send to us with your donation. We will verify your gift and return the form to your company, which will then issue a matching gift contribution directly to FCDSN.
Please send all gifts and forms to:
Flower City Down Syndrome Network
2117 Buffalo Road, #132
Rochester, New York 14624
Thank you in advance for checking to see if this is an option with your employer!
IN-KIND GIFTS
FCDSN is very appreciative each year to receive substantial in-kind goods and services for its events and operations. These donations greatly impact the stewardship of FCDSN’s resources, since many of these items would otherwise require payment in order to satisfy the needs of our programs.
Examples of in-kind goods and services include:
Design, printing and event signage;
Unique items for auctions, raffles and gift bags;
A commemorative award for an event honoree, or;
Food and/or beverage to be enjoyed at an event
If you and/or your company have access to items or services that could alleviate costs associated with the operations of our events and programs, please email fcdsn21@gmail.com or call 585-568-7421.
If you would like to set up a meeting to discuss some of this year’s opportunities, or if you have any questions, please email fcdsn21@gmail.com or call 585-568-7421.