Note: Contributions to the GreenDrop program, Vehicle Donation program, and the Pre Authorized Contribution (PAC) Plan are tax deductible. All checks received as contributions to the National Federation of the Blind of NJ (NFBNJ) are also tax deductible.

Jump to:

• General Donations
• Matching Gifts
• Thrivent’s Choice Dollars donations can help NFB
• PAC Plan
• Leaving A Legacy
• Amazon Smile Program
• GreenDrop
• Vehicle Donations

General Donations

The National Federation of the Blind of NJ operates on a 100% volunteer basis.  ALL of your donation goes toward supporting our programs for

• State scholarships
• Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (BELL) Academy
• Education and outreach to our communities
• Newly blinded individuals and their family members
• Older adults losing vision
• Blind Veterans
• and so much more…

You can support the work of the organization by making your tax-deductible check or money order out to NFB of NJ and mailing it to:

National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey
7 Mayfair Road
Southampton, NJ 08088

You can donate online using a credit card, debit card, or PayPal by visiting our Online Donations page. On this page you can also indicate if your donation via check, credit card, debit card, or PayPal is in honor/memory of someone and if you want an acknowledgement letter to go to the family.

Matching Gifts

Many employers support their employees’ charity donations by matching a portion of the funds an employee donates. Check with the human resources office of the company for details. If you need additional information, please contact NFBNJ President Linda Melendez at 908-590-1747, or NFBNJ Treasurer Annemarie Cooke at 609-859-4084.

PAC Plan

The Pre-Authorized Contribution (PAC) Plan is a national program where individuals or organizations can pre-approve a certain amount of funds to be transferred from their bank account into the National Federation of the Blind’s general account. The minimum amount is $5 a month and there is no limit.

The PAC Plan helps with:

• Distributing free literature
• Funding the Free White Cane program
• Funding the Free Slate and Stylus program
• Funding legal battles
• Assisting national scholarship programs
• Funding the Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (BELL) Academy program
• Fund STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs
• Providing free web hosting for state affiliates through NFBNet

Please visit www.nfb.org/pac, send an email to pac@nfb.org, or dial 1-877-632-2722 to create or increase your monthly PAC contributions. If you have any questions, contact NJ PAC Plan coordinator Linda Melendez at 908-590-1747. You can also direct questions to the accounting department at the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute at 410-659-9314.

Please watch the below PAC Plan video for additional details on the PAC Plan.

Leaving A Legacy

Dream Makers Circle

You can help build a future of opportunity for the blind by becoming a member of our Dream Makers Circle. It is easier than you think. You can visit your bank and convert an account to a P.O.D. (payable on death) bank account which is payable after your passing to the National Federation of the blind or one of our affiliates. Your legacy gift to the National Federation of the Blind or the National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey can be made in the form of a will or living trust, an income generating gift, or by naming us as the beneficiary of a retirement plan, IRA, pension, or a life insurance policy. You can designate a specific amount, a percentage, or list NFB as one of several beneficiaries. For additional information, please contact Patti Chang at (410) 659-9314, extension 2422.

Amazon Smile Program

AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon.com. It lets patrons shop for products and donate to their favorite charitable organization. Amazon.com donates 0.5% of the price of eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organizations, like the National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey (NFBNJ), selected by its customers. To have your Amazon Smile purchases go to the NFBNJ, please visit https://smile.amazon.com/ch/22-2716500. To learn more about the Amazon Smile program, please visit www.smile.amazon.com.

GreenDrop

The National Federation of the Blind has teamed up with GreenDrop to collect donations of clothing and household items. People living in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, DC, and Virginia can donate unwanted items through drop-off locations or by calling for a pick-up from their home or business. The funds raised from this program go to the National Federation of the Blind general fund to support programs for blind STEM students, veterans, and seniors, as well as the ongoing efforts to improve equality for the blind.

Please mark all bags and or boxes with NFB in order for the NFB to receive credit for the donations. The entire listing of accepted items can be found on the GreenDrop website, www.gogreendrop.org. GreenDrop accepts new or gently used items including:

• Clothing & Shoes
• Household Items
• Kitchenware
• Games/Toys
• Small Appliances
• Electronics
• Sporting Goods
• Books, CDs & Videos
• Small Furniture

To schedule a pickup, dial 1-888-944-DROP (3767) or visit www.gogreendrop.org. If you have any questions, you can contact the NJ GreenDrop coordinator Linda DeBerardinis at 856-735-5559. You can also direct your questions to the NFB GreenDrop coordinator Bridget Burke at 410-659-9314 x2271.

Home Cleanout Program

GreenDrop is now servicing apartment complexes and condos. What they will do is put a good size blue plastic box in the lobby, community room, or club house. This way the people who live there can access it any time by putting their gently used items in the box, via bag, or cardboard box. NFB must be written on all bags and boxes. You must check with your landlord or management to be sure this is allowed. During November 2019 they were just starting to work on a sensor to let them know when the box was full. When full, GreenDrop will come & put the plastic box in the truck and replace it with another empty one. How easy can it get for the donators?! If anyone is interested in having a GreenDrop box at their apartment complexx or condos, please let Linda DeBerardinis know at 856-735-5559 and she will gladly inform the correct person who can get it done.

GreenDrop locations

You can drop off your GreenDrop donations at one of the following locations:

CHERRY HILL MAPLE

1060 Maple Ave.
Cherry Hill, NJ 08002

METUCHEN

359 Amboy Ave
Metuchen, NJ 08840

SPRINGFIELD

The town officials, GreenDrop administrators, Michael Herman (Governor Livingston High School senior), and Joe Ruffalo (President of the National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey) are proud to cut the ribbon at the GreenDrop Grand Opening in Springfield. Michael is coordinating with his school to collect items to be donated to GreenDrop for credit to the NFB in October 2016.

831 South Springfield Ave
Springfield, NJ 07081

Totowa

360 Union Blvd.
Totowa, NJ 07512

Second Avenue Thrift Store Location

After donations at GreenDrop locations are sorted, the highest quality items are then sold at 2nd Avenue Value Stores, a family business. 2nd Avenue Value Stores benefit donors with high quality product at huge savings.

Union

2661 Morris Avenue
Union, NJ 07083

Vehicle Donations

The National Federation of the Blind uses donated vehicles to distribute free white canes, help blind children access educational services, help blind veterans, and more. We have partnered with Vehicles For Charity to process donated vehicles. Just call toll-free (855) 659-9314, and a representative can make arrangements, or you can donate online by visiting www.nfb.org/get-involved/ways-give/vehicle-donations.

If you have any questions regarding the program, please contact the NJ Vehicle Donations coordinator Linda DeBerardinis at 856-735-5559. You can also contact the NFB Vehicle Donations coordinator Pattie Chang at 410-659-9314 x2422.