Ways to Give

Make a Financial Gift – Donate Now!
The Greater Rochester Chapter of the American Red Cross is supported by the generous contributions from individuals, businesses, organizations and foundations in our community.

Although chartered by Congress to provide relief to disaster victims and service to members and their families of the Armed Forces, the American Red Cross is not a government agency.

Exceptional Stewards of Your Donated Dollar
Accountability and integrity are the hallmarks of how our Chapter conducts its business. We are a volunteer-driven organization led by more than 2,000 volunteers and have 70 paid employees. We recognize the value and role of other community-based organizations in fulfilling our mission and we partner with them to expand the impact of all humanitarian organizations.

The American Red Cross received a 4-star rating from America's premiere independent charity evaluator, Charity Navigator. This rating reflects our superior financial management and performance relative to our peers in the nonprofit sector. The rating is exceptional, especially considering the economic challenges facing charities today. For more information click here

Insure Our Community - Make a Planned Gift
When you give to the Red Cross, you feel a tremendous satisfaction knowing that you are helping people. Your financial gifts allow the Greater Rochester Red Cross to continue as the lifeblood of our community.

A charitable donation may also provide tax benefits for you and your family. But, most importantly, a gift to the Red Cross enables you to leave a lasting legacy.

Gifts of Cash
This is the simplest way to give. You may deduct your contribution for tax purposes in the year of the gift. Cash gifts are deductible up to 50% of your adjusted gross income.

Gifts of Stock and Mutual Funds
You may own stock or mutual funds that have gone up or down in value. In either case, you may benefit by using these securities in a gift to help Red Cross.

Gifts by Will
Many of our contributors make charitable gifts by naming the American Red Cross, Greater Rochester Chapter in their wills.

If you already have a current estate plan, executing a codicil is simple. Please consult with your attorney. To make a bequest, the following language will help your attorney:

"I give, devise and bequeath to the American Red Cross, Greater Rochester Chapter, 50 Prince Street, Rochester, NY 14607 the sum of $__________ (or designate the percentage of the estate or otherwise describe the gift)."

Charitable Gift Annuities - Life Income Gifts
Imagine making a gift to the Greater Rochester Chapter of the American Red Cross and then opening the mail a few months later and finding a check from the Red Cross payable to you! It is not as far-fetched as it sounds, because you can make a gift to the Red Cross and receive income for life.

Gift of Life Insurance
Some of our contributors no longer need their life insurance that was purchased years ago to provide for children or other family members, and donate the policy to the American Red Cross, Greater Rochester Chapter.

Charitable Trusts
Individuals with very large estates can use a charitable trust to benefit the American Red Cross, Greater Rochester Chapter, and pass principle to family members with little or no tax penalty.

Gifts of Retirement Plans
Your IRA assets will be transferred to a charitable remainder trust, the trust will provide life income to the beneficiary, and then an eventual gift to the American Red Cross, Greater Rochester Chapter.

For more information email giving@grcarc.org or call 585 241-4418.

Gifts-In-Kind Policy
In times of disaster the American Red Cross provides assistance free of charge made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. Financial donations allow the Red Cross to do the most good for people. It is the most effective way for the Red Cross to provide immediate assistance and enables the most flexible use of resources. And, unlike in-kind donations, cash contributions do not involve additional transportation costs. Donated dollars stimulate the local economy, minimize storage costs and guarantee the quick and effective arrival and use of supplies. Financial contributions underlie the Red Cross mission to provide mass care and feeding in times of disaster - to treat every victim equally, whether it is on the local, national or international level.