Membership / Donate

Ways to give

Ways to Give

The LFA GCC is a tax-exempt, charitable organization and is eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions under the IRS Code 501(c)(3). Our Federal ID # is 34-1229407.

The Lupus Foundation of America Greater Cleveland Chapter, Inc., could not provide the programs and services it does (including this web site) without the generosity of the American public. Your donation makes a difference to the 1.4 million people with lupus, their families, friends and employers who through the LFA GCC seek information, support and hope for a cure.

We extend a special thank you to Federal Employees and Military Personnel for their continued support of the Lupus Foundation of America Greater Cleveland Chapter, Inc, through the Combined Federal Campaign - #51890 and also to those who support The LFA GCC through the Community Health Charities campaign ID Number #9963.

Below is information about several ways that you can donate to the Lupus Foundation of America Greater Cleveland Chapter, Inc. If you have questions about any of these arrangements, please contact Suzanne Tierney, Executive Director of the Lupus Foundation of America Greater Cleveland Chapter, Inc. for assistance at 1-888-665-8787, Monday - Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM Eastern Time, or via email at Suzanne@lupuscleveland.org.




  1. Send a check
    2. Send a check

    Make checks payable to the Lupus Foundation of America Greater Cleveland Chapter, Inc. Mail contributions directly to our chapter office:

    Lupus Foundation of America Greater Cleveland Chapter, Inc.
    12930 Chippewa Road - Cleveland Ohio - 44141


    Your gift is 100% deductible from your taxable income if you itemize your deductions. You may deduct the full amount of the contribution up to 50% of your adjusted gross income in any one year. You may carry any excess forward for an additional five years.

    For your convenience, download a donation form in PDF format, print it out using Acrobat Reader and mail it in with your check made payable to "Lupus Foundation of America Greater Cleveland Chapter, Inc."

    PDF documents require Adobe Acrobat Reader. Don't have Adobe? Get it here free!

    Make a Donation

  2. Make a donation using a credit card
    3. Make a donation using a credit card

    You may charge your donation to your Visa, Master Card, or Discover credit card:

    1. Call the Lupus Foundation of America Greater Cleveland Chapter, Inc at 1-888-665-8787
    2. Fax the following information to 440-717-0186
    3. Mail to: Lupus Foundation of America Greater Cleveland Chapter, Inc.
      12930 Chippewa Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44141
    4. On line processing.

    We will need the following information:

    1. Type of card. We accept VISA, Master Card, and Discover.
    2. The cardholder's name as it appears on the card, and the billing address.
    3. The account number.
    4. The expiration date.
    5. Amount of the contribution.
    6. Full name and mailing address of the donor.
    7. Please include your signature authorizing a charge to your credit card.
    8. If the gift is made in memory or honor of a loved one or friend, please provide:
      1. the name of that individual, along with
      2. the name and complete mailing address of the person to receive the gift acknowledgment card.

    For your convenience, download a donation form in PDF format, print it out using Acrobat Reader, complete the information and mail it or FAX it with your credit card information.

    PDF documents require Adobe Acrobat Reader. Don't have Adobe? Get it here free!

    Make a Donation

  3. Donate through the Combined Federal Campaign or Community Health Charities Campaign.

    4. Through the Combined Federal Campaign or Community Health Charities Campaign.

    If you are a federal employee, you can donate to the Lupus Foundation of America Greater Cleveland Chapter, Inc. through the Combined Federal Campaign. The LFA GCC is listed under the National Community Health Charities Federation. Designate your contribution to the Lupus Foundation of America Greater Cleveland Chapter, Inc CFC Agency #51890.

    The Lupus Foundation of America Greater Cleveland Chapter, Inc is a member of the Community Health Charities organization. If your employer participates in the Community Health Charities campaign, please check the number #9963 code to designate a gift to the Lupus Foundation of America Greater Cleveland Chapter, Inc.

  4. Donate to United Way Campaigns
    5. United Way Campaigns

    You can give to the Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. GCC through your local United Way Campaigns. You would need to check with them about their donor choice programs.

  5. Give Employer Matching Gifts
    6. Employer Matching Gifts

    Many employers match contributions made by their employees to qualifying charitable organizations. Contact your personnel or community relations department for a copy of the matching gift forms. Complete this form and include it with your gift. The LFA GCC will fill in the required verification information and mail the form to the appropriate company contact. If you have questions, please contact the Lupus Foundation of America Greater Cleveland Chapter, Inc. 1-888-665-8787, or via email at Suzanne@lupuscleveland.org.

  6. Give Memorial or Honorary Gifts
    7. Memorial or Honorary Gifts

    You may make a gift to the LFA GCC in memory or honor of a loved one or friend.

    For your convenience, download a donation form in PDF format, print it out using Acrobat Reader and mail it in with your check or credit card information.

    PDF documents require Adobe Acrobat Reader. Don't have Adobe? Get it here free!

    Please include with your check or credit card information the following:

    1. The name of the person in whose memory or honor the gift is made.
    2. The name and mailing address of the family member to receive the acknowledgment card.
    3. The full name and mailing address of the donor so we can process a receipt.


    Unless otherwise instructed, we do not list the gift amount on the acknowledgment mailed to the family. Memorial or Honorary gifts paid by check should be mailed to:

    Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. Greater Cleveland Chapter, Inc.
    12930 Chippewa Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44141


    Memorial or Honorary gifts paid by credit card:

    • Contact the Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. Greater Cleveland Chapter National Office by calling 1-888-665-8787 (M-F, 9 AM - 5 PM ET).
    • If you prefer to mail the gift paid by credit card, address your payment to:

      Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. Greater Cleveland Chapter, Inc
      12930 Chippewa Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44141.

    • You may fax the information to 440-717-0186.

    If you have questions, please contact the LFA GCC at 1-888-665-8787

    Make a Donation

  7. Give Restricted Gifts
    8. Restricted Gifts

    The LFA GCC appreciates unrestricted gifts because the organization can use the funds to support programs deemed most urgent at the time we receive the gift. However, you can specify how we use your gift. Some restricted purposes include research, education, awareness, or advocacy. If you plan to make a restricted gift for a purpose other than those listed here, please consult the Executive Director; Suzanne Tierney to make certain the organization can meet the conditions you specify. Call 1-888-665-8787 or via email at Suzanne@lupuscleveland.org.

  8. Include a Gift in Your Will
    9. Include a Gift in Your Will

    Whether your bequest is large or small, you can support the LFA GCC mission beyond your lifetime by including a gift to the LFA GCC in your will. To make a bequest of cash, securities, or other property to the Lupus Foundation of America Greater Cleveland Chapter, Inc your will (or supplemental codicil, if you do not wish to write a new will), should state:

    " I give and bequeath to the Lupus Foundation of America Greater Cleveland Chapter, Inc., a non-profit corporation with Federal ID # 34-1229407, having its principal office at 12930 Chippewa Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44141.

    (Amount Option 1) . . . . . . the sum of $_______________ . . .
    (Or Amount Option 2) . . . __________ percent of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate . . .
    (Or Amount Option 3) . . . the following assets: (for example real estate, securities, personal property.) . . .
    (Purpose Option A) . . . to be used for general purposes of the organization.
    (Purpose Option 2) . . . to be used for the following purposes: (for example research, education, awareness, advocacy)."

    A bequest to the Lupus Foundation of America Greater Cleveland Chapter, Inc is fully deductible for estate tax purposes. You may bequest cash, property or appreciated securities. You need an attorney to help you draw up a will that will meet legal requirements. Ask your attorney, accountant or tax advisor about ways to reduce or eliminate estate taxes.

    If you plan to make a restricted gift for a purpose other than the options listed above, please contact the LFA GCC office to make certain the organization can meet the conditions you specify.

  9. Give Gifts of Stock or Other Securities
    10. Gifts of Stock or Other Securities

    Donating stock or other appreciated securities to the Lupus Foundation of America Greater Cleveland Chapter, Inc has three important benefits for the donor.

    1. For most gifts, the charitable deduction is the fair market value of the securities at the time of transfer.
    2. The donor avoids capital gains taxes.
    3. The donor pays no brokerage fees or sales commissions.

    It is easy to make a gift to the Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. Greater Cleveland Chapter, Inc., using appreciated securities.

    • Notify your broker in writing that you wish to make a gift of securities to the Lupus Foundation of America Greater Cleveland Chapter, Inc.
    • Instruct your broker to contact the Lupus Foundation of America. Greater Cleveland Chapter's Executive Director at 888-665-8787, or via email at Suzanne@Lupuscleveland.org for instructions on how to complete the transfer. The LFA GCC can provide a sample letter for this purpose.
    • Once your broker has notified us that the securities have been transferred, the LFA GCC will mail a receipt to you.
    • Retain this receipt for tax purposes.

    Donors may claim an income tax deduction for the full market value of the securities up to a limit of 30% of adjusted gross income. You may carry any excess forward for an additional five years.

  10. Give Gift of Life Insurance
    11. Gift of Life Insurance

    A life insurance policy that has a substantial cash surrender value can be donated to the Lupus Foundation of America Greater Cleveland Chapter, Inc. You might have purchased the policy to provide income protection for a spouse now deceased, or to educate your children who are now adults. Naming the Lupus Foundation of America Greater Cleveland Chapter, Inc as the sole or partial beneficiary of your life insurance may allow you to make a substantial gift at little or no cost to you.

    You can use life insurance to replace the assets for your heirs that you have donated to the Lupus Foundation of America Greater Cleveland Chapter, Inc, through a will or trust. A Life Insurance Trust, when used in conjunction with Charitable Remainder Trusts, may help achieve many favorable financial objectives. Contact the Lupus Foundation of America Greater Cleveland Chapter, Inc at 1-888-665-8787

  11. Consider Life Income Plans
    12. Life Income Plans

    Pooled Income Fund - Giving to the Lupus Foundation of America Greater Cleveland Chapter, Inc., through a contribution to our pooled income fund represents one of today's most popular gift arrangements. A pooled income fund is similar to a mutual fund. The fund combines gifts from many donors for investment purposes, and pays earnings to donors based on the number of units their gift represents, similar to a mutual fund.

    You may donate cash or securities (but not tax exempt securities) to our pooled income fund. Your gift is irrevocable, but you will receive income for the rest of your life, or the life of a surviving beneficiary, if you so desire.

    You receive additional tax benefits if you donate appreciated securities to the pooled income fund because no gain on the securities is taxable to you. Often the current yield from dividends of growth stocks is low. Donors can increase their income by donating their securities to the pooled income fund. Because the fund is tax exempt, the trustee can sell the securities without incurring capital gains tax, investing the full proceeds in higher yielding instruments.

    Charitable Remainder Trusts - Donors can increase the return on their investment while maintaining control over their assets by establishing a Charitable Remainder Trust. There are two types of Charitable Remainder Trusts, an annuity trust and a unitrust.

    • An annuity trust pays a fixed amount each year regardless of the fluctuation in the fair market value of the trust's assets.
    • A unitrust pays a fixed percentage of the trust's assets as re-valued each year. You select the payout rate when you establish the trust. You also may serve as the trustee, or appoint another individual or institution to perform this function. However, your gift is irrevocable.

    You receive an income tax deduction in the year you create the trust. The deduction is determined by the payout rate you select and the age of the income beneficiaries, as determined by official tables established by the U.S. Treasury Department. As with a Pooled Income Fund, the Charitable Reminder Trust pays no gain on the sale of the donated securities. However, a portion of the income from the trust may be taxed as capital gains.

  12. Donate A Car
    13. Donate A Car

    Are you tired of looking at that old clunker in the garage? Have you had enough of throwing money away on maintenance and repair bills? Are you in the new car market and not interested in the hassle of selling or trading your current vehicle? Do you want to contribute to a worthy cause and get a tax deduction as well?

    DONATE YOUR VEHICLE to Lupus Foundation of America Greater Cleveland Chapter, Inc. It's an easy, no hassle way to help the more than 1.5 million Americans with lupus while saving yourself a lot of expense and aggravation. In most cases, the fair market value of your vehicle is 100% tax deductible.

    The LFA provides an easy-to-use program. Car Program, LLC, LFA's car donation partner, will make all arrangements for towing, title processing and appraisal if required. They will prepare your vehicle for sale, donate the proceeds to the LFA and provide you with a receipt for tax purposes. All you have to do is give us a call.

    Car Program LLC carries a $2,000,000 liability insurance policy, is licensed, bonded and has processed over 400,000 vehicle donations across the United States. Their experienced and professional customer service staff is available via email and phone 7 days a week.

    To donate your vehicle, call the Lupus Foundation of America Greater Cleveland Chapter, Inc at 440-717-0183 or complete our online Car Donation form. It's simple, easy and tax deductible!

    Donate a car today

  13. Cause Related Marketing
  14. View our financial information (IRS 990), available through GuideStar



Contact Information For All Venues of Giving:
Suzanne Tierney, Executive Director, Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. GCC
12930 Chippewa Road
Cleveland, Ohio 44141
Office: 440-717-0183
Email: Suzanne@lupuscleveland.org