Donor FAQs
Our donors are behind all the good work we do, and we are committed to providing them with all of the information possible about our organization and how we use donations. Here are some common questions asked by donors and potential donors. If you need any more information before you make a gift to NWAWS, contact us at (479) 246-9999.
Why is my donation needed?
The NWA Women’s Shelter has doubled the number of women and children it annually serves just since 2008! We are thrilled to fulfill our mission so well. However, this increased capacity comes with a hefty price tag. We rely on individual donations to help us meet many of our clients’ needs. We need your donation to make it happen!
How is my donation used?
Donations from individuals are vital to our success, as they provide us with flexible funds that we can use for our clients’ and community’s most urgent needs. We use individual donations to fund:
• A private room & bathroom for each woman/family
• Transportation to and from work or class
• Advocacy to help with housing, health needs, court proceedings, child care, and other issues
• Support services such as life skills classes, support groups, and art therapy
• Financial assistance to clients for rental deposits or utilities for a new home
• State of the art security to ensure client safety
• Training to law enforcement and other groups for how best to serve victims of violence
Why is my donation needed now?
Every day we serve people in crisis. These women and children often live with the constant threat of violence and even the possibility of being killed. Those who manage to escape do so at great hazard. Studies show that a woman’s life is in the greatest danger when she tries to leave. Abusers usually know where a woman’s family lives, so she cannot be sure of being safe there. Most often, an abuser controls all the family finances as well, so when a woman leaves, she has no money. Women and children therefore often arrive at our shelter with nothing, trusting us to help them in a time of great crisis and danger. This is why your donation is urgent—these women and children need assistance immediately, and that assistance comes from you.
Will you use my gift effectively?
Yes! NWAWS is an incredibly efficient organization dedicated to responsible management of its resources. NWAWS spends 70% of its budget on direct client services, outreach, and education. This means that for every $1 you donate, 64 cents goes directly to our clients in the form of the services we provide and an additional 6 cents of every $1 donated goes to outreach and education, such as training law enforcement to better serve victims of violence and teaching teens safe dating practices in local schools.
According to Charity Navigator, a leading expert on evaluating the financial health of nonprofits, an organization that spends 65% or more of its budget on programs and 20% or less on administrative expenses “exceeds or meets industry standards and performs as well or better than most charities in its cause.” NWAWS exceeds even these high standards—making us an excellent investment for donors who want their gifts to make the biggest impact. We invite you to make your dollars go farther to help victims of violence by donating to us today.
How will I know what my donation accomplished?
We will tell you! When you make a donation to us, you have a right to know what your money accomplished. We will keep you informed throughout the year on what your donation has enabled us to do. If you ever have any questions or concerns, contact us at (479) 246-9999. We would love to hear from you!
