DONATION GUIDELINES
Meals on Wheels America is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, voluntary membership organization comprised of local community-based senior nutrition programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior hunger and isolation. This network serves virtually every community in America and, along with hundreds of thousands of volunteers, delivers the nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks that enable America’s seniors to live nourished lives with independence and dignity.
From a legal and governance standpoint, Meals on Wheels America is completely separate from local Meals on Wheels Member programs which are fully independent, separate legal entities governed by their own board of directors, executive committee, local government or other governing body. These local programs are solely responsible for controlling their own operations and affairs, including, but not limited to: nutrition programs and policies; matters of safety; compliance with federal, state and local laws; physical facilities; uses of technology and finances; and personnel policies and decisions. Accordingly, Meals on Wheels America has no authority or control over these local Member programs or their policies or decisions.
Meals on Wheels America welcomes all donations that support the Meals on Wheels America mission of empowering local community programs to improve the health and quality of life of the seniors they serve so that no one is left hungry or isolated. A gift is a voluntary transfer of funds, property or other items of value by a person or organization to Meals on Wheels America without any consideration of value or compensation to the donor; there are some qualifications as to the types of gifts including grants and restricted and deferred gifts. In addition to accepting cash gifts by check or credit cards, Meals on Wheels America may be able to accept various forms of publicly-traded and closely-held securities and property, including vehicles, boats and real estate. Meals on Wheels America may also refuse any gift that is out of scope or is in conflict with the Meals on Wheels mission or its policies, puts the reputation of Meals on Wheels at risk, is prohibited by law or for other reasons as determined by our Gift Review Committee. For more information, please contact development@mealsonwheelsamerica.org.
Meals on Wheels America manages a number of fundraising initiatives with and in support of its local Member programs to make every donated dollar go further for seniors in a Member’s service area and around the country. In receiving a gift and unless you direct us otherwise, Meals on Wheels America will use your gift where we determine it is most needed, so that all donations may directly or indirectly support Meals on Wheels Member programs nationwide. This unrestricted financial support is always needed, greatly appreciated and essential for Meals on Wheels America to fulfill its mission. In some cases, we undertake joint fundraising efforts with our Member programs where your donation will be shared with your local Member program; in such cases, however, your personally identifiable information will not be shared unless you otherwise direct us to do so. Meals on Wheels America also has various donor recognition opportunities with their own requirements and benefits for donors; please consult our website (www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org) for more information.
When processing each gift, we will follow Meals on Wheels America’s documented internal control and gift acceptance policies and procedures, including our business rules and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles standards. In addition, independently audited financial statements for Meals on Wheels America are prepared and published annually on our website.
Rules relating to collection and use of personally identifiable information of donors are set forth in the Meals on Wheels America Privacy Policy. Please consult this website to learn more. Unless Donors indicate to us otherwise, the name and amount of a donation may be publicly recognized in various communications; donors may elect to not have their donations made public and we will honor that request, except for disclosures that may otherwise be required by law including disclosures that must be made to various states for charitable fundraising purposes.
If you find that you have made an error in making your donation to Meals on Wheels America, we will honor your request for a refund made within 30 days of your donation.
If you have questions about donating to Meals on Wheels America, or to request a refund, please reach out to Development@mealsonwheelsamerica.org or call us at (703) 548- 5558. Refunds are returned using the original method of payment. If you made your donation by credit card, your refund will be credited to that same credit card.
Donation Guidelines are updated as of March 1, 2023.