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- Referral Agencies
- Client Services
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Philanthropy
- Directions to Mission of Deeds
Together, We Change Lives.
Philanthropy
Whether you are an individual, a family, a foundation, or a corporation, the Mission of Deeds is committed to making your philanthropic endeavors with us effective and personally rewarding. We welcome the expertise and compassion of philanthropists who understand the plight of our clients and want to enable us to help even more people by donating funds to maximize the positive impact we provide.
Mission of Deeds works hard to help struggling individuals and families in need by improving their quality of life when we provide basic essentials so they can survive and do better.
We aspire to make the world a better place, one family at a time. Every donation to MOD supports a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has a strong sense of responsibility to our donors, clients, and the communities.
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Who We Are
The Mission of Deeds (MOD) is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization located in Reading, MA that provides beds, furniture, and essential household items, Free of charge to those in need. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, our Tax ID number is 22-3252651.
Take a Virtual Tour of Mission of Deeds to See Our Cohesive Team in Action by Watching Our Video: “Hands on a Mission”.
Communities We Serve
We serve over 90 cities and towns, consisting of more than 115 separate communities in Essex and Middlesex Counties, as well as the Suffolk County communities of Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Massachusetts.
What We Do
We help families and individuals who are moving out of shelters and into permanent homes or are already living in affordable housing but have barely enough income to pay for food and rent.
Our clients are people of all ages, from diverse races, ethnicities, religions, and genders. They are vulnerable and struggling individuals or families with children including those who were recently homeless, or in a shelter, fleeing domestic violence, displaced veterans, refugees, the elderly or those living with a disability.
Testimonials from Clients and Caseworkers tell many stories about what we do.
Why We Do It
We truly believe that a properly furnished permanent home leads to increased opportunities. Families and individuals with this advantage can secure better employment, provide a better living environment for their children and eventually become economically self-sufficient. They can access other community-based services designed for their needs and achieve a level of stability that allows them to retain their housing. Each family permanently housed brings us closer to ending homelessness.
— The Urban Institute, Urban Wire: Children, September 9, 2015 (1)
Maximize Your Impact, Consider Working With Us
Mission of Deeds is working to break the cycle of poverty by providing the beds, furniture, and household goods to families in need when they move out of shelters and into permanent housing. We also offer this service to vulnerable families and individuals who are struggling to remain in the housing they have secured.
Providing basic home necessities to families and individuals has an immediate and positive impact on their lives. With a lamp to see and a couch to cuddle on, parents can comfortably read to their children. If pots and dishes are owned, a healthy meal may be cooked. If there is a kitchen table, a family can gather for a meal, discussion, or celebration. With a bed to sleep in, people will rise rested – adults better able to deal with work, illness, parenting, and children ready to learn.
About Our Community Referral Partners and Outstanding Volunteers
We collaborate with nearly (500) five hundred social service agencies, housing authorities, religious organizations, schools and hospitals in Massachusetts that recognize our program is a vital resource for families and individuals who are moving out of shelters and into permanent housing or are struggling to remain in their homes and their neighborhoods.
Referral agencies refer clients to the Mission of Deeds after interviewing the client and determining the client has a true need and is unable to provide the items requested on their own. Working with agencies in the community ensures we are helping those that are most in need and that the process will proceed smoothly.
Our service is Free for both the referral agency and the client.
The Mission of Deeds was founded as a volunteer organization, based on the philosophy of “neighbors helping neighbors”. We are still primarily staffed by over 100 dedicated volunteers who come to us weekly, plus 400 more who come on a less regular basis. We work with many community groups that collect donations, volunteer time, or hold fundraisers.
Sustainability – the Impact of Donations Received
Your Investment Goes a Long Way
- 85% of all donations provide direct client support
- 7% is used for fundraising
- 8% only goes to administration
We have a diverse income base, with over 1,400 individuals who support us financially and more than 35 foundations, trusts, and corporations who invest in our mission. Our grant support ranges from a 10 year $300,000 sustaining grant to one-time private grants of $1,000. We appreciate every dollar we receive (in any amount) and use the funds wisely.
Our Kitchen Essentials Program ensures that our clients have what they need to cook at home, eat a nutritious meal, and save money. We prefer to rely on donations for essential items such as pots, frying pans, roasting pans, cookie sheets, measuring cups/spoons, mixing spoons, spatulas, and toasters, but when donations fall short we purchase them to meet our clients’ needs.