Support the Fight for a Cure
Every dollar raised by the Elizabeth Sophia Foundation goes directly toward our mission: funding research toward a cure for Sanfilippo syndrome, supporting affected families, and building the network of scientists and advocates needed to make treatment a reality.
Your donation is a direct investment in Elle’s story — and in the story of every child fighting Sanfilippo.
Other Ways to Give
- Share our story — Awareness is free and priceless. Tell someone about Sanfilippo syndrome.
- Recurring giving — Monthly donors provide the steady foundation that lets us plan and commit to research partnerships.
- Fundraise on our behalf — Birthdays, marathons, events — we welcome community fundraising.
Give Directly from Your IRA
A Tax-Smart Way to Help Save Children with Sanfilippo Type C
If you are age 70½ or older, you may be able to make a charitable gift directly from your IRA through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD).
A QCD can be an especially powerful way to give because it may:
- Count toward your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)
- Generally be excluded from your taxable income
- Provide a tax-efficient way to make a charitable gift, even if you don’t itemize deductions
- Help move a promising treatment toward children with Sanfilippo Type C
How to Make Your Gift
1. Contact your IRA custodian or financial adviser. Tell them: “I would like to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution from my IRA directly to the Elizabeth Sophia Foundation.”
2. Provide the following information:
Legal Name: Elizabeth Sophia Foundation
EIN: 42-2133667
Mailing Address: PO Box 281, Traverse City, MI 49684
Website: ElleSophia.org
Email: dwalline@ellesophia.org
Make checks payable to: Elizabeth Sophia Foundation
3. Ask that your name be included with the distribution. IRA custodian checks do not always clearly identify the donor. Please ask your custodian to include your name and contact information with your gift so we can properly acknowledge and thank you. You can also email us at dwalline@ellesophia.org to let us know your QCD is on its way.
Your Gift Can Help Move a Treatment Forward
Sanfilippo Type C is a rare, progressive and fatal form of childhood dementia. Our daughter, Elle, is eight years old and living with Type C.
Today, there is hope. We are working to raise the funding necessary to advance a promising treatment toward children like Elle.
The science needs funding. The children need time. Your year-end IRA gift can help move us closer.
Help us get to treatment.
The Elizabeth Sophia Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This information is provided for educational purposes and is not tax, legal or financial advice. QCD eligibility and tax treatment depend on individual circumstances. Please consult your IRA custodian, financial adviser or tax professional. To qualify as a QCD, distributions generally must be made directly from an eligible IRA to an eligible charitable organization. A QCD that is excluded from income generally cannot also be claimed as a charitable contribution deduction.
Give from a Donor Advised Fund
If you have a donor advised fund (DAF) at Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, Vanguard Charitable, a community foundation or another sponsor, you can recommend a grant to the Elizabeth Sophia Foundation.
1. Log in to your DAF account and choose to recommend a grant to a charity.
2. Search for or enter our details:
Legal Name: Elizabeth Sophia Foundation
EIN: 42-2133667
Mailing Address: PO Box 281, Traverse City, MI 49684
3. Let us know it’s coming. DAF sponsors don’t always include donor information with a grant. Email dwalline@ellesophia.org so we can thank you properly.
Grants from a donor advised fund are made at the discretion of the fund’s sponsoring organization. Please consult your DAF sponsor or tax professional with any questions.
Other Ways to Pay
By check: Make checks payable to Elizabeth Sophia Foundation and mail to PO Box 281, Traverse City, MI 49684. Please include your name and contact information so we can thank you.
Venmo: Coming soon! We’re setting up Venmo so you can give from your phone. Check back shortly.
Wire transfer, ACH, Zelle, stock or cryptocurrency: We’re happy to help. For security, we don’t publish banking or account details online. Please contact us or email dwalline@ellesophia.org and we’ll send you instructions directly.