Where does VINE get its funding?VINE’s operating funds come from a variety of sources. We are supported by local contributions, program and rental income, fundraising events, the United Ways of Mankato and St. Peter, and grants. Government grants cover approximately 18% of our costs but are not guaranteed from year to year. It would not be possible for us to provide the kind of help that we do without the financial support of those who benefit from our services
How much does it cost to use VINE services?VINE asks people who benefit from our services to make regular contributions, as they are able, to assure that VINE has the resources it needs to help the community. Although there is no established “charge” for our services, we do inform care receivers and their families of our costs so that you can make an informed decision about your contribution level. It is important to us that anyone who really needs our help receives it, regardless of ability to contribute.With that said, we need to make it clear that it does cost money to operate VINE. Our yearly budget is about $900,000, including staff salaries, insurance, telephone, materials and supplies, postage, mileage paid to volunteer drivers, the expenses of our building, and other costs associated with running the organization. Our actual cost of coordinating a volunteer is $17.50 /hr. This figure was arrived at by dividing our total budget by the number of volunteer hours provided last year and is less than the national average.
So how much should I be donating if I get help from VINE?There are no easy answers to this question. How much you can contribute depends on a number of factors. When considering how much you can afford, you might ask yourself questions like:1. How much money do I have left each month after paying my bills, including my medications? 2. Are my adult children able to stay at work because a VINE volunteer provides rides or chore assistance to me? Would they have to use vacation or sick time to take me to my medical appointments? If this is the case, could your son or daughter help cover some of the costs of the help you receive from VINE?3. Are VINE’s services helping me to remain living in my own home? If so, consider the $35,000 - $60,000 each year that you’d have to pay if you moved into a catered or assisted living facility (rent plus additional services) or a nursing home. Base your contributions on how VINE’s services extend the length of your independence.
Could I make a planned gift of money I have invested in property, IRAs, stocks or bonds?Even if you don’t have a large monthly income, a gift of this type is always put to good use. Call Pam Determan at (507) 387-1666 to discuss how best to make a planned gift, which could have positive financial benefits to both you and VINE.
Should I pay the volunteer?No. People choose to volunteer at VINE because they want to help people with the things they can no longer do themselves. We provide educational opportunities, reimburse drivers for their mileage costs, and host annual volunteer recognition events. Feel free to “treat” a favorite volunteer to pie and coffee, a box of candy or a can of pop if you’d like. All volunteers are instructed that they may only accept personal gifts that they can eat. All cash gifts are given to VINE.
How old do you have to be to get help from VINE?Serving seniors is a priority to us. However, as resources permit, we assist younger people with disabilities and individuals and families who are encountering difficult life circumstances. VINE’s chore, caregiver support, nursing home transition, peer counseling and transportation programs receive partial funding from grants and contracts to help people aged 65 and older to remain living independently. VINE works closely with the staff at County Human Services and several managed care organizations to provide rides for their clients of all ages.
Will VINE still help me if I move into an assisted living facility or nursing home? No. VINE’s services are intended to help people remain living independently in their own homes and to supplement the help that family and neighborhood caregivers can provide. When a person chooses to move into a facility, new types of caregivers and services become available to them and VINE’s volunteer caregiving role comes to an end.How much would it cost me to use a cab, hire someone to do a household chore, or provide respite care so I could get some time away from my care giving responsibilities?Listed below are estimated rates if you purchased these services from a private business in our community and a suggested contribution rate at VINE.
Service
Estimated rate charged by a private business
Suggested contribution to VINE
An hour of paid respite care
An hour of caregiver coaching
$27
$72
$8
$50
An hour of handyman or chore services
$40
$20
Shoveling or mowing your yard
(depending on size)
$12
A cab ride from downtown Mankato to the Wickersham Clinic
A round trip ride from Mankato to Rochester
$18
$112
66 cents/mile. Volunteer drivers contribute their time and VINE offers to help them with their driving expenses at the rate of 50 cents/mile. We conservatively estimate that it costs our organization an additional 16 cents/mile for insurance, phone bills and needed staff time to coordinate our transportation program.
For more information call VINE Faith in Action at (507) 387-1666.
