Why Is Membership Important?
Financial contributions fuel the work of rescue organizations. Membership dues help defray the substantial expense to support our rescued dogs and the work of our much-valued volunteers. Membership funds are used exclusively for initiatives that directly contribute to the health and welfare of the goldens we rescue.
Membership Details
- Annual membership dues are $25.00.
- AGaG’s membership year is January 1 through December 31.
- Membership applications received after October 1st will be valid through the following year.
- Adoptive families receive one free annual membership when a completed membership application is returned with the adoption contract.
- You must be a member of AGaG to participate in any volunteer activities.
Membership Benefits
- Financial support for the health and welfare of rescued goldens.
- Subscription to our quarterly membership newsletter.
- Participation in social, fund-raising and special events.
- Satisfaction that comes with helping our beloved Golden Retrievers.
- Friendship that comes from working closely with fellow volunteers.
- Opportunity to participate in rescue activities such as fostering, transport, fundraising, special events and much more.
The Next Step
Complete the online membership application, or download a print-ready copy to your computer. (If you need us to send you one by mail, call us at 630-588-0115.) Mail the completed application back to us with your payment and we’ll contact you within two weeks of receipt about your interests and upcoming activities.
We look forward to personally welcoming you to our organization and to the world of making a difference for the dogs – plus having a good time, too!
NOTE: To view/print the adoption application, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you don’t have it, click the image on the right, to download a free copy from Adobe’s website.
Donate to As Good as Gold
General Donations
The key to the success of As Good as Gold, general donations are used for medical care for rescued golden retrievers, dog supplies and equipment, and general printing, postage, and supplies. Every penny really does count. Please consider helping us care for rescued Golden Retrievers and golden mixes with your secure online donation to our general fund today.
In addition to helping goldens in need, your donation can also serve as a caring tribute in memory or honor of friends, family members or pets. An “In Memory of” donation is a touching tribute to friends, family members or pets who are no longer with us. An “In Honor of” donation is a wonderful way to honor the milestones, accomplishments and good deeds of friends, family members, pets or work colleagues.
All donations can also be mailed to As Good as Gold, but will be considered a general donation unless specifically requested to go toward The Stecker Fund, Bentley’s Fund or Elsa’s Fund. If you would like your donation to be “in memory of” or “in honor of” a friend, family member or pet, please note with your donation. Please mail your donation to: As Good as Gold – PO Box 533 – Wheeling, IL 60090.
All donations of $25 or more will be recognized in Golden Tales, As Good as Gold’s quarterly newsletter. All donations of $10 or more sent by the U. S. Postal Service will be recognized with a personalized acknowledgment from As Good as Gold. All online donations will be recognized with an e-mail confirmation of receipt. As Good as Gold – Golden Retriever Rescue of Illinois is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and donations to AGaG are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
In 2014, As Good as Gold spent more than $240,000 on veterinary care, shelter fees, and canine supplies such as collars, leashes and food. And, in 2015, $251,000 is budgeted for program services including veterinary care, canine supplies, and public education! As Good as Gold relies on the generosity and support of the general public for funding and receives no government or United Way funding. Your contribution can and will make a difference in the lives of rescued goldens.
Become a Golden Guardian
In recognition of its 10th anniversary on May 15, 2013 As Good as Gold implemented a recurring donation program called $10 for 10. Each participating individual or family agreed to make a recurring monthly online donation of at least $10 for 12 months. Recently renamed Golden Guardians, this group of dedicated golden retriever enthusiasts helps make sure rescued goldens continue to receive excellent care for however long they are in our care. If you’d like to join this elite group of donors, please click here to go to As Good as Gold’s donation page, check Yes next to Recurring Donation field and, in the Special Occasion field, type in Golden Guardians. Donations made online are secure, easy and — best of all — help support As Good as Gold’s rescued goldens!
The Stecker Fund
FOR TREATMENT OF CONGENITAL OR HEREDITARY
MEDICAL CONDITIONS SUCH AS CANCER OR HIP DISPLAYSIA
The Stecker Fund was established in July 2005 with a grant from the Miller Group Charitable Trust in honor of As Good as Gold members Jerry and Laurie Stecker. Monies from this fund pay for the treatment of congenital or hereditary medical conditions of golden retrievers such as cancer or orthopedic diseases. Your secure online donation to the Stecker Fund is the perfect way to help provide medical care for rescued goldens with hip or elbow dysplasia, lymphoma, hemangiosarcoma, and osteochondrosis. Thanks to The Stecker Fund, Scarlet (pictured above) had FHO surgery on both hips and can now run happily and pain free.
Elsa’s Fund
FOR CARE & PLACEMENT OF SENIOR GOLDENS
Elsa’s Fund was established in March 2007 in memory of beloved senior golden retriever Elsa Sweeney and in honor of Robin & John Sweeney’s devotion to senior goldens. Donations made to Elsa’s Fund will be used to pay for veterinary care of dogs eight years of age or older and to offset the waived adoption fee for families who adopt through our Golden Years program. Your secure online donation to Elsa’s Fund will help ensure that the special medical needs of senior goldens are met and that the Golden Years program is sustained for years to come.
Bentley’s Fund
FOR CARE OF GOLDENS THAT ARE UNADOPTABLE
DUE TO AGE/MEDICAL CONDITIONS
Bentley’s Fund was established in May 2010 to care for golden retrievers who enjoy a good quality of life but are unadoptable due to age and/or medical condition(s). Originally knows as the Long Term Care Fund, it was renamed in January 2013 in memory of Bentley, a four month old puppy born with three heart defects that came to As Good as Gold in March 2012. Initially given only a few months to live, Bentley survived past his first birthday and enjoyed a happy life with his foster family. His story touched the lives of many while in Long Term Foster Care. Your secure online donation to Bentley’s Fund will help ensure that unadoptable goldens continue to receive excellent and appropriate medical care while living in a loving foster home.
Additional Ways to Give
Matching Gifts
Many employers offer matching gift programs encouraging employees to contribute to charitable causes. Most of these programs match donations dollar for dollar, and some will even double or triple the amount of your gift! A number of programs even allow you to request a matching gift for time spent volunteering with As Good as Gold.
Please use the link below to see if your company offers a program that will match your gift for As Good as Gold’s rescued goldens. Simply obtain a form from your employer, complete your portion of the form, and mail it to us at:
As Good as Gold – Golden Retriever Rescue of Illinois
P.O. Box 533
Wheeling, IL 60090
Your employer may also allow you to make a matching gift request online through the company’s Intranet. Please contact your human resources or benefits department for more information.
Click here today to see if your employer offers a matching gift program!
Golden Legacy Charitable Planned Giving Program
As Good as Gold’s new Golden Legacy charitable giving program recognizes those supporters who have left a lasting gift for the dogs in our care by providing for AGaG in their estate plan. By including AGaG in your planned giving, you become a valued member of the Golden Legacy program. This distinctive group includes donors who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to our future and receives special recognition throughout the year. If you’ve already included AGaG in your estate plan or plan to, we encourage you to let us know so that we may honor you as a Golden Legacy member. Please click here for more information.
iGive.com
Shop online at over 650 generous stores who give up to 26% from every purchase you make to As Good as Gold. It’s free to join, you’ll receive great discounts, many retailers offer free shipping, and special savings add to the great prices you’ll find every day. iGive.com members have raised over $1,000,000 for their favorite causes. Please consider helping rescued Golden Retrievers the next time you shop online. Click here to join now!
Guidestar
With so many nonprofits in America, how can you determine which are legitimate organizations that deserve your support? How do you know if your gift will be tax deductible? GuideStar is the answer. All 1.5 million nonprofits listed with GuideStar are formally registered with the IRS or have proven they meet all IRS criteria for exempt organizations. As Good as Gold is included in GuideStar’s list of 501(c)(3) charitable organizations. Click here to access our information.
AGaG is a 2015 Combined Federal Campaign Charity
As Good as Gold was recently selected to participate in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) – the only charitable giving payroll deduction program for federal employees and postal workers. If you work for the IRS, SSA, TSA, EPA, any other federal agency or the U.S. Postal Service, you may select AGaG as a beneficiary of your payroll deduction donations using CFC number 90018.
Vehicle Donation
Did you know you can donate your vehicle to help As Good as Gold’s rescued Golden Retrievers? AGaG now offers a free, convenient service that turns car, truck or RV donations into a tax-deductible gift benefiting our goldens. Please for more information.
Corporate and Foundation Partners
Thank you to the many corporate and foundation partners who support As Good as Gold. We extend a special thanks to the featured partners listed below:
2015
BISSELL Pet Foundation
Veterinary expenses for golden retrievers rescued from Puerto Rico
Mitchell Petersen Family Foundation
Veterinary and transport expenses for golden retrievers rescued from Puerto Rico
Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust, a KeyBank Trust
Assess and treat the emotional health of rescued golden retrievers
2014
ASPCA
Operation Canine Rescue in Bloomington
Banfield Charitable Trust
Behavior modification services to prevent relinquishment
Bemis Company Foundation
2014 Rescue Conference meeting materials and audio/visual equipment rental
Golden Retriever Foundation’s Cotton Fund
Commercial breeder dog rescue transport expenses
Tony Stewart Foundation
Veterinary expenses for golden retrievers rescued from Puerto Rico