Ways To Give

Group of people posing together outside at a Columbus House event

Help Support Our Mission

For the third year in a row, the number of people experiencing homelessness in Connecticut has risen. If you are looking for a way to help, consider giving to Columbus House. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, your support to our organization is vital and may quite literally save a life! Explore the different ways you can help Columbus House put an end to homelessness.

Make a Donation

The easiest way to help Columbus House continue our mission is to make an unrestricted financial contribution^*. You can feel good knowing that you helped save a life by supporting Columbus House. Make your gift today and consider adding special recognition by giving your contribution in honor of or in memory of someone.

Donate Online

You can make a one-time donation or you may make a recurring monthly donation in order to help us ensure that funds are available year-round.

Donate Now

Donate By Mail Or Phone

Make checks payable and send your gift to: Columbus House, Inc. PO Box 7093, New Haven, CT 06519, or call (203) 401-4400 ext. 131.

Download Donation Form

Workplace Giving

Giving Through Your Payroll

Payroll deduction through your workplace makes giving easy. Support Columbus House through your employer's United Way, CT State Employees, or Combined Federal Campaigns. Most workplace giving programs provide the option to select a specific charity for your donation so please designate Columbus House when filling out your pledge form.

Matching Gifts

Many employers offer a Matching Gift program that will match charitable contributions by their employees, board members, spouses, and retirees. Commonly, these companies will match contributions dollar for dollar and some will even donate double or triple the amount of the employee’s gift. Others provide Volunteer Incentive Grants to charities based on employee volunteerism. Depending on the number of hours you volunteer, your employer may contribute $200, $300 or more to Columbus House as an incentive for you to give your time to help us end homelessness.

Not sure if your employer participates? Use the search tool below.

Matching Gift and Volunteer Grant information provided by

All financial contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowable under current law. Always consult your tax or legal representative regarding specific questions.

We value your trust in us and respect your privacy. Columbus House will never sell, rent or exchange your personal information without your prior consent.

Donate Items or Services

In addition to financial contributions, you can help those we serve by donating much needed in-kind items and services. We couldn’t help as many as we do without your thoughtful support.

To learn more about any of our in-kind initiatives or before arriving with an in-kind donation at any location, please contact the Development Department at (203) 401-4400 ext. 131 or info@columbushouse.org. Thank you for your help!

Email Columbus House

Wish List

We are always in need of in-kind items and update our wish list regularly.

View Wish List

Organize a Drive or Fundraiser

It's easy and it's fun! Rally support from your friends, neighbors, co-workers, or those with whom you worship. Help Columbus House continue its mission of saving lives by conducting a drive or fundraiser. Supporters of all ages have held drives or bake sales, collected aluminum cans, and solicited pledges at overnight sleep-outs.

Clothing & Furniture

Due to a severe lack of space, Columbus House dramatically curtailed our acceptance of most clothing and furniture items. Therefore, please call Sheree at 203-401-4400 ext. 131 to see if your item/s are something we can accept.

Call Sheree at Columbus House

Food

With an increased focus on food safety, we ask that all perishable and leftover food from office and house parties be shared with your guests and NOT brought to Columbus House. Non-perishable foods items are needed on a regular basis. We ask that you please call before arriving so that we can discuss whether there is a current need for those items.

Welcome Kits

Many of those we serve have limited income and often need help with basic necessities once they secure housing. Help them get started with a warm welcome into their new home. You can make a kit, fund a kit, or give a gift card!

Fund a Kit

Funding a Welcome Kit^† ensures people receive what they need and gives them the option to make their own decisions on sizes, colors and designs

Fund a Kit

Make a Kit

Get together with family, friends, or co-workers and put together a kit, or two, or ten! Each kit will go directly to someone moving into a new home

Download a Shopping List

Give a Gift Card

Gift cards to Harbor Freight, Family Dollar Store, Target, Dollar Tree, and Walmart are a great way to help. They can be used to purchase additional household items.

Cars for Columbus House

Do you or someone you know want to get rid of an old vehicle but don't want to deal with selling it, fixing it, or junking it? Columbus House has partnered with Vehicles for Charity, a respected national non-profit, to help us turn your old car, boat, motorcycle, or RV into funds to help end homelessness – whether it runs or not! All donated vehicles will be sold at auction or for scrap and Columbus House will receive 80% of the net proceeds.

Why Donate Your Old Vehicle?

Donating an unwanted vehicle is often easier and faster than selling it on your own. It's a great way to make a larger donation to Columbus House than you may normally be able to. All you need is the title and Vehicles for Charity will take care of the rest. It's safe, fast, and easy and you may qualify for a tax deduction. You will make a great impact in helping our most vulnerable neighbors!

Donate Your Vehicle

Columbus House Legacy Society

The Columbus House Legacy Society is comprised of donors who make thoughtful planning in their current and future support of Columbus House. By committing to the future viability of the agency's mission, the Legacy Society ensures our ability to continue to find solutions to end homelessness for years to come.

As with any financial planning consideration, you should always check with a qualified advisor or estate attorney before making any changes to your current plans. For additional information on how to make a deferred or planned gift to Columbus House, please call Karen Gross, Chief Development Officer, at (203) 606-8733 or email kgross@columbushouse.org.

Email Karen Gross

Bequest

Many donors find that the easiest way to make a substantial future gift to Columbus House is to make a bequest in their will. There are many different kinds of bequests. With each, the entire value of the bequest is eligible for a charitable deduction against their estate taxes.

Sample Bequest Language

To leave a specific dollar amount or percentage of the estate:

"I give to Columbus House, Inc., a charitable organization located in New Haven, CT, the sum of $______ (or ___% of my estate; or the property described herein) for its general purposes."

To leave the remainder of your estate after all other disbursements have been made:

"All the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, I give to Columbus House, Inc., a charitable organization located in New Haven, CT, to be used for its general purposes."

Stocks, Securities & Real Estate

Popular alternatives to cash are gifts of appreciated property such as marketable securities (stocks and/or bonds) and real estate. These types of gifts can provide even greater tax benefits to you, the donor, than an equivalent gift of cash, especially when the appreciated property being donated has been held long-term (more than a year) and has increased in value over basis (the value at the time the property was acquired by the donor).

Life Insurance

Many people own some form of life insurance either through their employer or through a personal or family plan. Life insurance is popular because of its unique ability to meet a variety of needs for financial protection. A donor can name Columbus House as the primary or successor beneficiary of a life insurance policy. When the proceeds are paid to Columbus House, the donor's estate may be allowed an estate-tax charitable deduction.

You can also assign ownership of a paid-up policy to Columbus House. Call (203) 606-8733 for details.

Retirement Plan Proceeds

Another way to leave a significant gift to Columbus House to help secure the future is to name Columbus House as beneficiary to part or all of your retirement plan benefits. This can be done with an IRA, Roth IRA, 401 (k) plan, or employer-sponsored pension plan.

For more information on the deductibility of charitable contributions for the current tax year, please visit the IRS website.

"My bequest gift to Columbus House honors my father by helping to end homelessness in Connecticut.”

A long-time friend of Columbus House, Shelly included a gift to the organization in her will. Read her story and discover what moved her to make this impactful decision.

Read Shelly's Story

Other Ways to Get Involved

Volunteer

Learn about our volunteer opportunities for individuals, families, schools, and organizations.

Become a Volunteer

Work with Columbus House

Explore our current openings and join a team dedicated to ensuring everyone has a place to call home.

Browse Career Opportunities

Contact Columbus House

Have a question about how you can support our mission to end homelessness?

Connect with Us

^* All financial contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowable under current law. Always consult your tax or legal representative regarding specific questions.
^† Funds received through the Welcome Kit appeal will be used for the above referenced items as well as for other costs that may be related to a client settling into a home of their own including but not limited to: moving costs, delivery & storage fees, furniture, clothing, sundries, and other basic-need items as deemed necessary by Columbus House case managers based on each client's unique situation.