Funding

 

 

General Information

Lucy's Hearth is a private, not-for-profit corporation, and therefore we are completely dependent upon grants and donations for our support.  As all of the people we serve have incomes at or below poverty level, there is no charge for staying at the Hearth.  Therefore, each year, the Hearth must raise the funds to support the shelter and programs.  Federal, state, and local government money only provides 26% of our annual budget, so the rest must come from the private sector:  private foundations have been the backbone of our funding since we opened in 1984.  The vanBeuren Charitable Foundation, Prince Charitable Trust, and the John Clarke Trust have been loyal donors for at least 20 years, and the North Family Trust, Ocean State Charities, the Rhode Island Foundation, and the McBean Foundation have also contributed generously to the Hearth.  Donations from individuals and groups, churches, businesses, schools, and fundraisers are very important to us in helping us meet our budget.  The Board of Directors has worked very hard to increase the number of fund-raising events, and this has been very successful.  The annual Designer Wreath Sale has been bigger and better each year.  Other groups have also held events to benefit the Hearth, and each year the Newport Athletic Club hold a “Santa Spins” event and contribute the proceeds to the Hearth and two other local charities.  We only receive donor options funds from United Way and with the new policies, which no longer stress donor option.  We have seen a major decrease in these funds in the last few years.  For the first time in 20 years (in the last three years), we have operated with a deficit for the first few months of the fiscal year.

The cost of providing shelter and services increases each year.  Though we are located on the grounds of St. Lucy’s Church, we are not a part of the church and rent our building.  Three years ago, our rent increased 43% and there are additional increases each year.  We are also responsible for all maintenance and repairs, and as our building is aging, maintenance costs have increased considerably.  Food, insurance, utility costs, and heat are all much higher than they were several years ago.  Last year, our heating bill more than doubled from the year before.  As always, we rely heavily on volunteers and donations to help us maintain as frugal a budget as possible.

With the help of so many in the private sector, we could not remain in operation and we’re very grateful for their support.

How to Contribute

If you are interested in contributing financially to the work of Lucy's Hearth and the homeless families we serve, there are many ways to do so.  As we are a 501(c)3 charitable organization, all donations to the Hearth are tax deductible.  You will receive a letter, which states the amount given, and expresses our thanks. 

1. A personal check made out to Lucy's Hearth.
2. Groups or organizations can contribute to the Hearth either by holding fundraising activities or simply as a part of charitable giving. 
3. Outreach support through your church or place of worship.
4. Donor Option through United Way during the campaign at your workplace.  Just write in our number, 3720, or our name on the form.  Payroll deduction is the easiest way to contribute.
5. You can make a monetary donation in memory of a family member or friend.  If it is in memory of someone who is recently deceased, we will also send a note to the family to let them know about your gift.
6. Our annual Mother’s Day appeal is another way to give in memory of your mother or in honor of your mother.
   
   

How Contributions Help

$50 buys milk for the children for one week
$100 provides one day of shelter for a mother and one child
$100 provides two hours of counseling for residents 
$100 provides one parenting class for all mothers
$250 buys groceries for one week
$300 provides 10 hours of GED instruction
$600 pays the electric bill for one month
$700 pays for maintenance costs for one month
$1000 pays for weekend coverage for 9 weeks
$1300 fills our oil tank for heat. (Two fill-ups a month in winter.)
$1666 pays the rent for one month
$6000 provides the Summer Program for children

Annual Budget Percentages by Source

State: 16%
Federal: 4%
Middletown: 2%
Newport: 1%
Block Grant: 5%
Private Foundations: 32%
United Way Donor Option: 12%
Businesses: 4%
Churches: 4%
Civic Organizations: 4%
Fundraisers: 11%
Private Donations: 5%

Contact

For additional information on Funding call Philomena Santos-Higgins at:
(401) 847-2021.

Donation Form

Downloadable PDF file