Abraham House establishes donor-advised fund and receives $1 million gift to expand end-of-life care services

UTICA, N.Y. — Abraham House — a nonprofit organization providing compassionate, end-of-life care at no cost to individuals with terminal illnesses — announced on Sept. 3 the creation of a donor-advised fund through the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties and the receipt of an anonymous $1 million donation. Abraham House says it will be eligible to receive interest disbursements from this fund for years to come, helping support the organization’s goal to own and operate 10 homes by 2035, as it seeks to address the growing need for accessible end-of-life care services. Currently operating two homes in Utica and Rome, Abraham House serves an average of 145 guests and families annually. The nonprofit’s expansion plan aims to boost that number to 725 guests and families each year within the next decade. “We are incredibly excited about this new chapter in our organization’s history,” Abraham House CEO Gina Ciaccia said in the announcement. “This generous donation and the establishment of our donor-advised fund will be instrumental in helping us reach our growth goals and ensure we can continue providing our services to the community for years to come.” Abraham House says it currently serves only 39 percent of its annual referrals, “highlighting the pressing need for additional facilities.” The organization contends it offers 24-hour care, comfort, and dignity to terminally ill individuals while eliminating financial burdens for their families. Since its founding in 1998, Abraham House has relied completely on community donations to fulfill its mission. The new donor-advised fund through the Community Foundation provides “a structured approach to long-term sustainability and growth, ensuring the organization can continue expanding its reach to serve more families in need,” Abraham House said.