The Coalition Against Domestic Violence Foundation is committed to the elimination of domestic abuse in the State of Illinois with a primary focus on women and their dependent children.

The money raised by the Foundation will be used to fund ICADV activities that are devoted to the following purposes.

• Empowering victims of domestic violence to become survivors by helping them establish economic independence.

• Providing emergency services such as rent, utilities, day care, and transportation to maintain a job.

• Providing services to the victims of domestic violence, including obtaining community resources, and/or helping to acquire employment skills, and/or work referral.

• Aid to domestic violence shelters and walk-in programs when unforeseen accidents, such as fire or flood, occur.

The CADV Foundation operates independently from the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) as a private, non-profit 501c(3) organization incorporated in the state of Illinois.

The CADV Foundation was formed for the purpose of fundraising for ICADV, located in Springfield, Illinois.

Click here for more information about ICADV.

What Is Domestic Violence & Why Should You Care?

Every nine seconds a woman is beaten by her partner or spouse and nearly half of all women will be beaten at least once in their lives by the very people with whom they have chosen to spend their lives. The majority of battered individuals have children who are hurt, both physically and mentally, by the violence in their home. Boys who witness violence in the home are 76% more likely to grow up to be batterers, whereas girls raised with this violence are more likely to become adult victims of domestic violence.

Domestic violence happens to everyone, regardless of race, culture, age, ability, educational, or income levels. It also is the most common, yet least reported, crime in the United States. Domestic violence affects all members of a family, as well as the community in which they live.

Many victims are able to break the emotional and economic bonds that hold them to their abuser. But they need help, which is provided by the many domestic violence programs located throughout the state of Illinois and elsewhere. Programs that are members of ICADV provide free services including emergency shelter, adult and children’s counseling, job training, and job searches.

The ability to establish financial independence from an abuser is a crucial step for many victims who are becoming survivors. But this is a difficult step, especially for those who have minor children, and/or a minimal work history, and/or minimal education. Sometimes the only thing preventing escape from their abuse is the money needed for a security deposit on an apartment or a deposit for utility hook-ups.

The goal of the Foundation is to provide money so these clients may establish economic independence. Such things as child care, transportation to work, or utility hook-ups are eligible expenses. Other eligible expenses include the need for emergency funds during fire, flood, or other disasters that adversely affect domestic violence programs.

You may help stop the cycle of violence and make a better world for everyone by donating to the Coalition Against Domestic Violence Foundation! 

Your Role

To help victims become survivors, the Foundation needs your help. There are several ways to donate gifts, including Memorials and Special Gifts.

Memorials

A memorial is a way in which to honor a loved one, while at the same time providing aid to people who desperately need it. Contact the Foundation for more information.

Special Gifts

Special gifts include outright gifts, bequests, life insurance, living trusts, gift annuities, and life estates. Contact the Foundation for more information.

Outright Gifts
You may give cash, real estate, or securities to the Foundation and these gifts are tax deductible. Cash is the most common way of giving, whereas gifts of appreciated securities and real estate may offer tax advantages. Contact the Foundation for more information.

Bequests
Under your will, you may leave a sum of money, property, securities, or a percentage of your estate to the Foundation. This is a means by which you may make a special, or substantial gift, without diminishing your assets during your lifetime. Contact the Foundation for more information.

Life Insurance
You may assign policy ownership to the Foundation, or name it as the primary, secondary, final, or residual beneficiary. If you name the Foundation as irrevocable owner or beneficiary, the cash value of your policy may qualify as a charitable gift, and future premiums may be tax deductible. (Please consult your attorney or tax advisor about these issues.) Contact the Foundation for more information.

Living Trust
You may place cash, securities, or real estate into trust so that the trust becomes operable during your lifetime. Using a Charitable Remainder Trust, you may arrange for income to be paid to the Foundation at death, in accordance with the trust agreement. Using a Charitable Lead Trust, you may set aside assets for the Foundation's benefit, normally for at least 10 years, after which the assets pass back to you, or to whom ever you designate. These Unitrusts may provide tax benefits. (Please consult your attorney or tax advisor about these issues.) Contact the Foundation for more information.

Gift Annuities
You may buy a gift annuity for cash, property, or securities. An annual income for yourself and/or a loved one is guaranteed for life. At death, any unconsumed portion may be paid to the Foundation. There may be tax benefits. (Please consult your attorney or tax advisor about these issues.) Contact the Foundation for more information.

Life Estates
You may give your personal residence, farm, or resort property now and continue to live there, maintain the property, and use any income it produces. An income-tax deduction may be allowed for a portion of the value of any irrevocable gift of the kind. (Please consult your attorney or tax advisor about these issues.) Contact the Foundation for more information.

Current Donors

Mrs. Brenda Edgar, wife of former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar, recently chose to donate seed money to the Foundation as an expression of her concern for the welfare of other Illinoians.

Coalition Against Domestic Violence Foundation
Board Of Directors

President: Jane Lee, Violence Prevention Center of Southwestern Illinois, Belleville, Illinois
Vice President: Barbara Wingo, Anna Bixby’s Women’s Center, Harrisburg, Illinois
Secretary/Treasurer: Florence Forshey, The Pillars Community Services, Summit, Illinois

Board Members
Martha Herm, The Center for Prevention of Abuse, Peoria, Illinois

Contact the CADV Foundation or ICADV