According to the ARO website, the 2021 “Hope” Campaign has currently raised over $4,200 from over 100 donations made online. Fundraising and donations for nonprofit organizations often make people ask, “Where does the money go?” Abuse Refuge Org strives to be straightforward with how we use contributions. The following information is taken from the ARO website and Co-Founder Kelly Dehn.
Currently, we are in the fundraising and spreading awareness stage of Abuse Refuge Org, stage 2 of 5 stages. During this phase, the bulk of any funds raised goes to:
· Building out infrastructure
· Acquiring and paying for existing platforms
· Servers
· IT
· Web development
· Other back-office support systems for ARO.
Stage 1 was to establish ARO as a legal and approved entity and build out the basic infrastructure. Upon completion of that phase, we quickly moved into Phase 2 of spreading awareness and fundraising. We are currently preparing to enter into Phase 3, our “Norm Therapy Pilot Program.” Stages 4 and 5 are further outreach and peripheral services assisting and supporting our victims, survivors, and employees, as well as outreach programs on an ongoing basis.
Our business approach is to overlap all five stages as we move along. Stage 1 is always a part of Stage 2, and Stage 2 is always a part of Stage 3, and so forth. We are constantly working on all of the stages on an elastic business model platform.
The implementation of Norm Therapy is ARO’s top priority entering the next phase. Co-Founder Kelly Dehn defines Norm Therapy as “the precursor to therapy” that helps the victim or survivor narrow down the time spent at traditional therapy by pinpointing what they are experiencing or feeling before sessions begin.
Funds from donations will eventually go towards providing salaries to existing employees, as well as professionals such as doctors, clinicians, and therapists who will provide related services. In phases three and four, money raised will also go towards building out Norm Therapy to be a video therapy database that complies with HIPAA regulations.
From time to time, these funds will be used for other circumstances, but the current breakdown of funds explains: 70 percent of donations received goes toward ARO’s provided services, 25 percent is used for ARO operations, and only 5 percent is used for miscellaneous expenses.
If you are interested in donating to ARO, there are several levels in the donation process that you can achieve. These levels range from “Good Giving Donors” with $10-$100 donations to “Over the Top Donor” with donations of $10,001 and beyond. No matter the level of giving, know your funds are being put to good use.
To learn more about ARO’s mission and how to donate, visit our website. Please consider donating to Abuse Refuge Org to help us provide critical services to abuse survivors.
