The Rockbridge Area Free Clinic will not sell or trade a donor's personal information to any other entity. Donor contact information is kept confidential and is used only for direct correspondence between the donor and the Rockbridge Area Free Clinic.

• The number of low-income people without health insurance continues to grow and the cost of providing medical care continues to rise. Since 1992, the Rockbridge Area Free Clinic has been providing this much needed care. The Clinic has been able to manage patients with complex medical problems because it utilizes the help of volunteer health care providers. It has obtained additional diagnostic testing capabilities, and has expanded its ability to obtain costly but vital medications. This kind of coordinated care requires intensive case management and well trained volunteers and staff. The costs associated with this kind of care continue to grow.
• The role that the Free Clinic plays in providing disadvantaged and low-income persons with health care, dental services and vital prescription medications is invaluable. The RAFC covers a service area of over 34,000 persons of which approximately 15% are believed to be medically uninsured. The Free Clinic provides basic health services to low-income workers who cannot qualify or can't afford health insurance, the disabled and the elderly. The Free Clinic endeavors to keep people healthy and retain them in the working, tax-paying population. The priority need areas of the RAFC are:
  • Adequate primary care hours
  • Dental services
  • Patient outreach
• The RAFC faces several barriers when it comes to addressing these needs. Examples of the barriers that the clinic currently face include:
  • Increasing health care delivery costs;
  • Increases in the number of uninsured and especially the underinsured;
  • A rise in the number of minority, especially non-English speaking, patients;
  • Increasing competition for charitable contributions

• Rockbridge Area Free Clinic is the only clinic in Rockbridge Area County that provides free primary and specialty medical care, including diagnostic testing and medications, to the county's low-income, uninsured residents.
• There is no government program that provides medical care to the working poor between 19 and 65 years of age, unless a person has specific needs, i.e., pregnancy, or is disabled.
• In 2007, total value of clinical and health education services was $2,378,644. For every $1.00 spent, Rockbridge Area Free Clinic provided $5.00 worth of services.
• Everyone benefits from access to quality health care. Unpaid medical bill are passed on to the insured population in the form of higher health care premiums. The programs at the Free Clinic reduce the cost of care for the uninsured by focusing on preventive care and addressing health care needs before they become health care emergencies.
• In FY 2007, 17% of RAFC's revenue came from foundation grants which are awarded annually, and 7% of the Clinic's income came from United Way.

• To continue to provide quality health care to the uninsured of Rockbridge Area, it is imperative that Rockbridge Area Free Clinic plans for the financial future of the organization. Income from foundation grants, annual giving from individuals, special events, civic associations and churches, and United Way, has covered our operational expenses to date as well as generated a small reserve fund for emergencies.
• RAFC faces financial pressure to raise increasing amounts of money to meet rising costs of operation. Rockbridge Area Free Clinic seeks to establish an endowment fund to generate income for operating expenses. A healthy Endowment Fund will relieve some of the ongoing pressure to raise funds and will provide more financial security for the organization.

There are many ways you can contribute to Rockbridge Area Free Clinic to help provide vital healthcare to the uninsured in our community. Donations are used to cover the operating expenses incurred in providing thousands of medical visits and medications each year for our patients.

You can donate online by clicking the Donate Now button. This is a secure and easy way to support the Clinic. You can also make a gift in honor of or memory of a loved one through this site.

You can send your donation to Rockbridge Area Free Clinic, PO Box 1573, Lexington, Virginia 24450 or call Suzanne Sheridan (540) 464-8700 ext 111 to make a donation through your debit, Visa or MasterCard.

Many companies offer matching gift programs to encourage employees to contribute to charitable organizations. Most of these programs match contributions dollar for dollar, and some will even triple the amount of your gift! Please check with your employer about their matching program, complete the required forms, and send to Rockbridge Area Free Clinic.

A gift of appreciated securities held for more than one year can provide significant benefits to you as well as Rockbridge Area Free Clinic. If you are interested in donating securities, please call Suzanne Sheridan at (540) 464-8700 ext 111.

You may choose to designate your United Way gift to the Rockbridge Area Free Clinic.

In lieu of flowers...

When a loved one has died you may chose to have family and friends make a donation to Rockbridge Area Free Clinic rather than sending flowers. Rockbridge Area Free Clinic will send a personal thank you to each donor and send the designated family a list of donors and their addresses.

Make a donation to commemorate a holiday, birthday, wedding, or other special occasion. The special person you honor will receive a letter from Rockbridge Area Free Clinic notifying him or her of your thoughtfulness and generosity.

Every year RAFC holds special events to support clinic operations. Your generous support helps ensure a successful event and a good time by all!

Planned giving integrates a donor's charitable gift with his or her overall financial, tax, and estate planning goals to maximize benefits to both the donor and Rockbridge Area Free Clinic. Planned gifts typically come from a donor's assets rather than income, and can be either outright or deferred. Some types of gifts include:

• Wills
• Trusts, Charitable Lead Trusts, Charitable Remainder Trusts
• Life Insurance
• Real Estate

Please consult with your own tax or legal advisor prior to making a planned gift to Rockbridge Area Free Clinic. In addition, please contact Suzanne Sheridan, (540) 464-8700 ext 111 or ssheridan@rockbridgefreeclinic.org to discuss your interest in making a planned gift to Rockbridge Area Free Clinic.