Creating Pathways to Independence
Your gift expands access to life-changing programs for individuals who are blind, DeafBlind, or have low vision.
A Path to Independence!
For over a century, Helen Keller Services has empowered individuals who are blind, DeafBlind, or have low vision to achieve their full potential. Through our two divisions—Helen Keller National Center for DeafBlind Youths and Adults and Helen Keller Services for the Blind—we provide comprehensive support at every stage of life. From early childhood education, a summer camp on Long Island and programs for youths, to assistive technology training, vocational rehabilitation, and specialized support for seniors with vision loss, we transform barriers into opportunities and create pathways to independence at every stage of life.
Your partnership makes all of this possible. Your support expands our reach, strengthens our programs, and ensures that individuals and families find the specialized expertise they need when they need it most.
See how Helen Keller Services empowers individuals who are blind, DeafBlind, or have low vision to achieve their full potential and live independently.
Your Support in Action
Behind every success story is a partnership with donors who understand what specialized support can achieve. Elizabeth, Ivana, and Anthony represent the transformation that happens when individuals receive comprehensive training and support designed for their specific needs. Your partnership makes these outcomes possible and determines how many more people we can reach.
Elizabeth — Helen Keller National Center
Facing progressive vision loss from Usher syndrome, Elizabeth arrived at Helen Keller National Center uncertain about her future career and independence. Through intensive training in adaptive technology, orientation and mobility, and accommodation strategies, she gained the skills and confidence to return to Minnesota, advance her career, and advocate for the DeafBlind community.
When I got to Helen Keller, wow! I learned that DeafBlind individuals can do everything.
Ivana — Regional Employment Services
After an unexpected layoff, Ivana worked with her regional DeafBlind Employment Specialist to find the right employment match in Indianapolis. Together with her coworkers, she developed an innovative communication system using brailled cards and touch cues that allows her to work independently in a fast-paced warehouse environment.
Anthony — Helen Keller Services for the Blind
Anthony came to Helen Keller Services for the Blind unsure how to navigate professional life with vision loss. He discovered screen readers that transformed how he accesses information, mastered professional software through the TEAM program, and built the workplace confidence to compete for positions. He now works as an account manager at a technology company.
Helen Keller Services for the Blind changed my life.
I am forever grateful for everything they have done for me and enabled me to do for myself.”
Right now, someone is losing their vision. A family is searching for answers to support their preschooler. A professional is questioning whether career advancement is still within reach. Will you join us to ensure that no one navigating vision loss and/or combined hearing and vision loss faces that journey alone, and that every individual we serve has access to comprehensive support.
Your gift this season ensures that the next person who arrives searching for answers, seeking opportunity and ready to unlock their potential finds the same life-changing support that transformed Elizabeth’s, Ivana’s, and Anthony’s futures.
Give Today
Give Before December 31
Tax-Smart Options:
- Donor-Advised Fund: Recommend a grant directly from your DAF
- IRA Distribution: Donors 70½ and older can make a qualified charitable distribution that satisfies your Required Minimum Distribution while excluding the amount from taxable income
Give by Mail: Make checks payable to Helen Keller Services and mail to:
Helen Keller National Center
Development Department
141 Middle Neck Road
Sands Point, NY 11050
Helen Keller Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (FEIN 11-1630807) operating through two divisions: Helen Keller National Center for DeafBlind Youths and Adults and Helen Keller Services for the Blind.
Ways to Donate
Your gift to Helen Keller Services (HKS) makes it possible for us to empower people who are blind, DeafBlind, have low vision or combined hearing and vision loss to live their best lives. There are many ways you can support the life-changing work that is happening at HKS.
Choose the way to donate that resonates with you.
Outright Gifts
Donate by mail, phone or online.
Send checks made payable to Helen Keller Services:
Helen Keller Services, Development Office, 141 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point, NY 11050
Or call us at 516-833-8310
Appreciated Securities
Gifts of publicly traded stock enjoy special tax benefits. Please contact us for information.
Planned Giving
Help support Helen Keller Services today and tomorrow with Planned Giving either through:
Bequests: Leave a lasting legacy that benefits HKS by remembering us in your will.
Charitable Gift Annuities: Supplement your income with a guaranteed, fixed amount that is partially tax free. Establish a charitable gift annuity for HKS that pays you income annually. You will benefit from current and future savings on income taxes and establish a stable income for life.
Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD): A QCD allows individuals who are age 70-1/2 or older to make deductible donations of up $100,000 total to one or more charities directly from their IRA instead of taking their required minimum distributions.
Donor-Advised Funds
Donor-Advised Funds (DAF) are one of the easiest and most tax-advantaged. When you contribute cash, securities or other assets to a DAF at a public charity fund, you are generally eligible to take an immediate tax deduction. The fund then invests them for tax-free growth. You can direct donations, from your account, to virtually any IRS-qualified public charity.
Matching Gifts
Check with your employer. Many companies will match employee contributions. Send the form with your gift and we will process the corporate match on your behalf.
Tribute
Honor. Celebrate. Remember.
Make a gift in honor or in memory of someone special by choosing any of the donation methods previously listed. You can create a unique tribute to a friend, colleague or loved one, or to mark a special occasion.
Please provide us with your personalized tribute information when you donate online or donate by mail, and we will send an acknowledgment card to whomever you choose.
Real Property
Real property can be given as an outright gift or by bequest.
Payroll Deduction / SEFA
Employer Payroll Deduction
Many companies give employees the opportunity to direct a portion of their paychecks to the charities of their choice. Giving via payroll deduction eliminates the hassle of writing and mailing checks and enables you to spread your donations out over the course of the year, making budgeting and record-keeping easier for you. Ask your human resources representative about making gifts to HKS through payroll deduction.
State Employees Federated Appeal (SEFA)
To designate HKS as a recipient in your State Employee Federated Appeal (SEFA), please enter 65-00144 on your campaign pledge form.
Give When You Shop
Every time you shop on Amazon.com or other participating vendors’ websites you can make a donation to HKS at no cost to you.
Access Amazon.com from our page, and 0.5 percent of the proceeds from your purchase will go to HKS, helping us to help people who are blind or have low vision.
Disclosure Statement
Financial and other information about Helen Keller Services’ purpose, programs and activities can be obtained by contacting the Development Department at 180 Livingston St., 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201, 718-522-2122 and helenkeller.org, or for residents of the following states, as stated below. Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-HELP-FLA OR ONLINE AT www.FloridaConsumerHelp.com. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. REGISTRATION #: CH39364. MARYLAND: For the cost of postage and copying, from the Secretary of State. Michigan: MICS No. 50132. Mississippi: The official registration and financial information of Helen Keller Services may be obtained from the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office by calling 1-888-236-6167. New Jersey: INFORMATION FILED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CONCERNING THIS CHARITABLE SOLICITATION AND THE PERCENTAGE OF CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED BY THE CHARITY DURING THE LAST REPORTING PERIOD THAT WERE DEDICATED TO THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY BY CALLING (973) 504-6215 AND IS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AT http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/charfrm.htm. New York: A copy of our most recently filed financial report is available from the Charities Registry on the New York State Attorney General’s website at www.charitiesnys.com or, upon request, by contacting the New York State Attorney General, Charities Bureau, 28 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10005, or us at 180 Livingston St., 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201. You may obtain information on charitable organizations from the New York State Office of the Attorney General at www.charitiesnys.com or (212) 416-8401. North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 1-888-830-4989 (within North Carolina) or (919) 807-2214 (outside of North Carolina). Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of Helen Keller Services may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Virginia: From the State Office of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218. Washington: From the Charities Program at 1-800-332-4483 or www.sos.wa.gov/charities. West Virginia: West Virginia residents may obtain a summary of the registration and financial documents from the Secretary of State, State Capitol, Charleston, WV 25305. CONTRIBUTIONS ARE DEDUCTIBLE FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW. REGISTRATION IN A STATE DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION OF HELEN KELLER SERVICES BY THE STATE.
Updated 2022