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Give Hope. Build Belonging.

Every refugee family’s journey is different, but none of them should have to walk it alone.

Your generosity helps refugee families in Mid-Missouri become safe, stable, and thriving through relational care, education, and development.

Every gift makes a lasting difference.

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Financial Donations

Donations to City of Refuge directly fund programs that help refugees in Mid-Missouri learn English, navigate healthcare, prepare for citizenship, find employment, and build new lives.

Every gift makes a difference. City of Refuge is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and all donations support our mission of serving and empowering refugees through relational care, education, and development. Your generosity ensures that no refugee family has to rebuild their life alone.

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Give Monthly

Refugee families don’t need support for just one day. They need a community that walks alongside them for months and years.

That’s why we’re inviting 1,000 people to give $50 each month.

Monthly giving provides dependable funding that allows City of Refuge to respond quickly, plan confidently, and continue serving families every day of the year.

Whether you give $15, $25, $50, or more each month, you’ll become part of a community helping refugee families move from safe to stable to thriving.

Prefer to Give by Check?

 Make checks payable to “City of Refuge” and mail to:

10 N. Garth Avenue,
Columbia, MO 65203

Why Our Community Gives

  • Empathy moved me to give and keep giving. How could I let people struggle with a new place, a new language, and new people when I had the means to help?
  • The tangible sense of community inspires me to build community in all other areas of my life. I am so glad City of Refuge has been a constant source of support in Columbia for so long.
  • Our donation is a drop in the bucket to the need, but if we can be part of a collective willing to donate their drops then hopefully a stream of relief can begin to form.
  • It’s hard for one person to make an impact for an issue with such global implications. City of Refuge lets us contribute to the works of mercy.
  • We believe hospitality and welcoming the stranger represent the best of who we are as Americans, people of faith, and humans.

In-Kind Donations

A new place to live often starts with very little. Donations of quality clothing, household goods, and everyday essentials help refugee families create a place that feels like home.

We gladly accept clean, gently used items Monday – Thursday from 9:00am – 1:00pm.

Accepted Items:

  • Clothing for babies, kids, or adults
  • Dishes and kitchenware
  • Sheets, linens, and towels
  • Housewares, curtains, rugs, and decor
  • Books and toys
  • Sewing machines, fabric (long lengths preferred), and sewing notions
  • Yarn and crafting supplies
  • Bicycles for kids and adults

Browse our Amazon wishlist for basic-needs items that ship directly to our building.

Churches, businesses, schools, civic groups, and neighborhood organizations can help meet immediate needs by hosting a Basic Needs Drive. 

  • Diapers and baby wipes
  • Laundry detergent pods
  • Hygiene products
  • Cleaning products
  • Over-the-counter medicine

How to organize a Basic Needs Drive:

  1. Fill out this form to register your group and choose your giving month. We’ll send you a most-needed items list and shareable content.
  2. Collect items as a group, or share our Amazon wishlist so supporters can send items directly to us.
  3. Deliver (or ship) your collected items to City of Refuge.

Some of our projects are eligible for 50% Missouri state tax credits through the Neighborhood Assistance Program. To learn more, email us at info@cityofrefugecolumbia.org.

City of Refuge connects donated furniture and large household items directly with refugee families. Because family needs change constantly and we don’t have storage space at our office, we don’t collect or warehouse items — instead, we match each donation with a family and arrange delivery straight to their home. Please fill out our Large Item/Furniture Donation form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible, usually within 2 business days or less to arrange transportation of the item(s). 

Other Ways To Give

If you’re age 70½ or older, you may be able to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA to City of Refuge. A QCD may reduce your taxable income while also counting toward your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD), if applicable.

To initiate a QCD, contact your IRA custodian and request a distribution payable to City of Refuge.

Because every financial situation is different, we encourage you to consult your financial or tax advisor.

Some of our projects are eligible for 50% Missouri state tax credits through the Neighborhood Assistance Program. To learn more, email us at info@cityofrefugecolumbia.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. City of Refuge is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so all financial donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

Yes. While we especially rely on monthly giving to sustain our programs long-term, one-time gifts of any amount are always welcome and appreciated.

Yes. We accept in-kind donations — including clothing, housewares, books, and craft supplies — at our drop-off door Monday–Thursday, 9am–1pm, or through our Amazon wishlist or a Basic Needs Drive.

Yes. Make checks payable to “City of Refuge” and mail them to:

10 N. Garth Avenue, Columbia, MO 65203.

A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) allows individuals age 70½ or older to donate directly from their IRA to City of Refuge without paying income tax on the withdrawal. QCDs can also count toward your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) for the year.

As of 2026, individuals can donate up to $111,000 per year through a QCD. This limit adjusts annually for inflation, so check with your financial advisor for the current-year figure.

Your gift supports the areas of greatest need across City of Refuge, allowing us to provide refugee families with relational care, education, immigration legal services, youth programming, basic needs, employment support, English classes, and other services that help families become safe, stable, and thriving.

Yes. City of Refuge in Columbia, Missouri matches donated furniture and large household items with refugee families in need. Because family needs change constantly and we don’t have storage space at our office, we don’t collect or warehouse donations — instead, we match each item with a family and arrange for it to be delivered directly to their home. Please fill out our Large Item/Furniture Donation form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible, usually within 2 business days or less to arrange transportation of the item(s).