The Fresh Start Fund. Practical Help. Life-Changing Impact.

What Would You Need to Make a Fresh Start?

Throughout June we will be building our client support fund.

The Fresh Start Fund provides practical, flexible, direct help to survivors at a critical moment.

Whether it is gas for the car, a housing deposit or childcare - the cost of safety can be high. 
Your gift not only offers support, it clears an obstacle.
Just when a survivor needs it most.
Help Build a Fresh Start

Monetary Donations

Every gift to Shelter for Help in Emergency helps provide safety, stability, and hope for survivors of intimate partner violence and their families. Your support allows us to respond to requests for help 24 hours a day, 365 days a year — keeping our doors open, our hotline staffed, and vital services available when they are needed most. Thanks to compassionate supporters like you, families in crisis can access safe shelter, advocacy, counseling, legal support, and the resources they need to rebuild their lives.

There are many meaningful ways to give. You may choose to make a one-time donation, honor someone with a tribute gift, celebrate a birthday, holiday, or special occasion with a donation-as-gift that notifies a loved one of your generosity, or make a tax-advantaged contribution through your IRA. However you give, your generosity helps create a safer and more compassionate community for survivors and their families.

Questions about giving or charitable planning? We are always happy to help. Please contact the Shelter’s Development Manager at 434-996-2696.

Make a gift online using credit/debit card or Paypal.
Make a $50 donation and we will send a card to the person you’ve chosen to honor, notifying them that your gift helped a survivor take a step toward a safer life.
A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) allows individuals who are 70½ or older to donate up to $111,000 in tax year 2026 directly from their IRA to a qualified charity without counting it as taxable income. A QCD can also satisfy part or all of your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD).

Helpful Information

If you prefer to mail in your donation, please make your check payable to Shelter for Help in Emergency.

Mailing Address:
Shelter for Help in Emergency
PO Box 1013
Charlottesville, VA 22902

Tax ID: 54-1082222

In-Kind Donations

We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our community and the many donations we have received. Thank you so much!

While we sort through them, we are temporarily not accepting any donations besides gas/grocery gift cards. This will help us make sure we are being the best possible stewards of our resources. If you are interested in organizing a donation drive for us, please call us at 434-906-2860 first to discuss what our current needs may be.

Shelter Wishlist

Grocery/Gas Gift Cards
($25 increments preferred)
Kroger
Walmart
Food Lion
Shell
Exxon

Donation Delivery Location and Times:

The Scrappy Elephant
1745 Allied St.
Charlottesville, VA 22903

Monday – Saturday: 10AM- 6PM

Our generous partners at the Scrappy Elephant accept donations on our behalf. Please drop off donations inside their building with one of their staff members. 

Alternate Donation Locations (for items that we do not accept)

CVBA Clothing Center accepts donations of clothing at their location in Charlottesville, and provides clothing to those in need. They can be reached at (434) 977-6876.

The Haven accepts donations of travel size products for their guests. They can be reached at (434) 973-1234, ext. 100.