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Q: How do I make a monetary donation?
A: You can select your favorite program, location or facility to financially support. Or, you can make an undesignated gift for The Salvation Army to use where it is most needed.
To donate by check, make it payable to "The Salvation Army." Note in the memo section where you want your money to go - Greensburg Worship and Service Center; Family Caring Center; Disaster Services; Use as Needed; etc. You can mail your check directly to the location of your choice (listed in this website or your White Pages of your phone book.) You can also send it directly to Divisional Headquarters at: The Salvation Army, 700 North Bell Avenue, Carnegie, PA 15106.
If you want to customize your giving plan, you can commit to become a "Friend of The Army."
"Friends of The Army" allows you to design your own contribution schedule. All you need to do is tell us how often you would like to give and we'll do the rest. You can select a monthly, quarterly, annual or twice- a- year schedule. And, you can even change your mind. We will send you a notice and an envelope according to your wishes. At the end of the year, you will also get an itemized statement.
"Friends of The Army" not only provides you with customized convenience, it also saves The Salvation Army valuable resources through the reduction of postage and printing costs. It's a win-win for everyone - especially the families that we serve. To learn more, call Cheryl Lockhart, Direct Mail Manager at 412-446-1633 or click here to e-mail her.
You can also donate online through the homepage of this website using your Visa, Master Card, Discover, American Express or Direct Debit (as long as it has a Mastercard or Visa logo.) Telephone donations are accepted via credit card by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.
Q: Can I give through a direct debit/credit card arrangement?
A: Yes. To make the necessary arrangements, call our Direct Mail Manager, Cheryl Lockhart at 412-446-1633 (or click here to e-mail Cheryl) asking her to contact you. Never send your credit card details via email.
Q: Will I receive a confirmation and receipt when my donation has been received?
A: Absolutely. When you give online, we will automatically confirm your transaction on the screen and via email. All donors receive through the mail a thank-you letter and a printed receipt as soon the donation is processed. During times of disaster or Christmas, because of high volume, this may take a few weeks.
If you have signed up as a "Friends of The Army" member, our pledge giving program, you will also receive a year-end statement.
Q: How much of my money goes to direct service?
A: The Salvation Army has very low administration costs. Between 88 to 92 cents of every dollar goes directly toward human services. This is one of the highest ratios of any charity worldwide.
Q: Can I have my money stay within my community?
A: Yes, it is your choice. You may direct your donation to your community, a specific program or service or any location that you desire.
Q: What are the advantages of donating online?
A: Most of us have the best intentions of doing something for charity but often hesitate because we don't have the time, knowledge, or trust to give to a specific cause. By donating online, you reduce our fundraising and data entry costs, as well as the amount of paper waste that adds to environmental destruction. And, you can support our efforts at your convenience.
You may also direct your donation specifically to any of our programs or locations.
Q: Is my donation safe and secure?
A: Absolutely. Our website security is provided by Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), the standard in authentication and encryption technology, and is guaranteed by a Thawte Secure Certificate.
This means that your connection to our computer is locked and encrypted while you are entering your bank or credit card information. This is shown by a padlock on the bottom of your web browser. It is unlocked only when you leave the secure area. Your bank or credit card information is stored in an encrypted format so it is unreadable even to our computer operators. Only our authorized staff are able to view and process your donation.
Q: Is my privacy protected?
A: The Salvation Army is committed to your privacy. The personal information you provide will remain private and will only be used for the purposes that you have intended. The Salvation Army will not share, sell, lend or rent your personal information to be used by outside parties. If we have any questions or need clarification regarding your donations, we will do so by either traditional mail, e-mail or telephone.
As a supporter of The Salvation Army it is your choice to be contacted by all or any of these means of correspondence. To change any aspects of our correspondence with you, please call, email or write to us at: The Salvation Army, Mail Appeal Manager, 700 North Bell Avenue, Carnegie, PA 15106. You may call or click here to e-mail: Phone: (412)446-1633.
Q: How do I give to support a disaster - hurricane, flood, fire, etc.?
A: Make your check payable to "The Salvation Army" and indicate in the memo section of your check the name of the disaster - North Carolina Hurricane; Allegheny County Flood; East Asian Tsunami, etc. Or, just indicate "Disaster Relief" and your donation will fund ongoing local disaster relief programs. No matter the address of the disaster, 100% will be directed to the location of the incident. Donations may also be made online or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY and indicating the nature of your gift in the same manner.
Because of warehousing constraints and the high cost of labor, private party inkind items are not generally accepted in time of disaster. Your financial contributions allow The Salvation Army to purchase exactly what is needed in a time-sensitive manner. And, the purchase of these items provide for a valuable financial boost to a community that is already hurting economically. However, if you represent a corporation or retail outlet and you are interested in making a large-scale donation of needed items, contact Director of Emergency Disaster Services, Robert Myers at 412-922-4808 or click here to e-mail him.
Q: What is a "Memorial Gift" or a "Commemorative Gift"?
A: Sometimes people prefer a donation be directed to charity instead of sending or receiving flowers or gifts. An "In Memory" or "Memorial Gift" is a donation in lieu of flowers at a funeral and in honor of the deceased. A "Commemorative Gift" is a donation in lieu of a gift at a special time like a wedding, birthday, anniversary, or for a holiday.
When you make an In Memorial or Commemorative Gift, we will ask for the address of the recipient, a relative or the funeral home, so we can send a card to notify them of your gift. You can also leave a special message that will be included on the card. If you prefer, we can send the card to your home so you can deliver it in person. Please note that the card does not state the amount of the donation.
When you make an In Memory or a Commemorative Gift, we need at least one phone number so we can contact you in case there are any questions. Please allow 3 to 5 working days for us to process and mail your In Memorial or Commemorative Gift. During this timeframe, a tax-deductible receipt will be sent to you. If you need it sooner, please call (412) 446-1647 and we will be happy to help.
Q: What about Planned Giving?
A: Planned gifts are referred to as such because they require a little more planning, negotiation and counsel than an immediate outright gift. Charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder unitrusts, and gifts through your will are examples of how you can support The Army in this way.
For example, if you would like to make a substantial gift, but feel you cannot do so with current income-producing assets, a gift annuity may just be the solution. With a gift annuity you donate a sum of money now and during your life time, you will receive an income from that donation at a rate of return based upon your age at the time of the gift. Also, there are many tax advantages to this type of gift. A charitable remainder unitrust also offers an income to you and/or your family for life, along with many estate saving strategies.
For more information, contact Lisa C. Young, CFRE, Director of Planned Giving at 412-446-1635 or click here to e-mail Lisa.
Q: Can I name The Salvation Army in my will?
A: Yes you can! You can help perpetuate the work of The Salvation army in your community by remembering us in your will. A bequest appeals to many people for a number of reasons:
- It' revocable
- Heirs can be provided for first, then a gift for The Salvation Army
- Estate taxes are avoided when assets are passed to charity
- Future financial circumstances are not threatened
- Larger gifts can usually be made via the will than can be made during your lifetime.
For more information, contact Lisa C. Young, CFRE, Director of Planned Giving at 412-446-1635 or click here to e-mail her.
Q: What is a Major Gift?
A: A Major Gift is usually a large one-time monetary donation. This contribution is in excess of $1,000 and can be directed to a particular program or location in accordance to the individual donor's wishes. Some Major Gifts may even include naming a building or facility. For more information, contact Donor Relations Director, Keith Gmiter at 412-446-1632 or click here to e-mail him.
Q: How do I donate items?
A: The Salvation Army Worship and Service Centers accept a limited amount of items on an "as needed basis." It is best to call the facility in your neighborhood and ask them if they can make use of what you want to donate.
The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center welcomes your gently used items. They will be sold at Salvation Army Thrift Stores where the proceeds benefit life changing programs. Worship and Service Center clients are also given vouchers to "shop" at our thrift stores for the specific items that they need.
To donate to the ARC, call 1-800-95-TRUCK to discuss a pick-up of your items or to find out the nearest drop-off location. Click here for a list of Thrift Store locations. Click here for a Valuation Listing.