Holly’s House is one of more than 220 nonprofits urging the public to support survivors of domestic violence and financial abuse during The Allstate Foundation Purple Purse® Challenge, which takes place Oct. 2 – 31. The annual campaign coincides with National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which is also recognized throughout October.

On an average day in 2016, 12,000 requests from domestic violence and financial abuse survivors for services such as childcare and rent went unmet as reported in National Network to End Domestic Violence’s 11th Annual Domestic Violence Counts Report

The Purple Purse Challenge provides a critical funding source for domestic violence organizations who increasingly face high demand for their services, even as they operate with limited resources.

“Domestic Violence groups rely on the public’s support to meet the needs of our clients,” said Sidney Hardgrave, Holly’s House Executive Director. “That’s why The Allstate Foundation Purple Purse Challenge is so important. This fundraising effort helps us raise money so we can keep helping survivors rebuild their lives.”

All of the funds raised by Holly’s House during the Purple Purse campaign are used to support the Client Assistance Fund which was established in 2010.  This fund is jointly managed by Holly’s House, Albion Fellows Bacon Center, Lampion Center, and the Evansville YWCA.  Over the past 7 years, this fund has provided $30,000 in direct support for over 150 survivors or domestic violence.  Common request for help include making a deposit for an apartment, car repairs, temporary child care, and relocation assistance.

Donors to the Purple Purse Challenge are assured that 100% of the funds nonprofits raise or win during the Purple Purse Challenge will go towards providing life-changing services to domestic violence survivors and their families, so they can break free and stay free from abuse.

According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence national census, Indiana served approximately 1,197 survivors of domestic violence and financial abuse in 2016

Domestic violence affects all communities. In fact, one in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime regardless of socio-economic background or ethnicity – more than breast, ovarian and lung cancer combined.

In 99 percent of domestic violence cases, victims will experience financial abuse, which means their abusers will deny them access to money and financial resources they need to break free. Financial abuse is one of the primary reasons domestic violence victims stay in or return to abusive relationships. Without resources of their own, victims are often unable to care for themselves and their families, find employment and housing, or save for the future.

The Purple Purse Challenge provides several opportunities for nonprofits to exceed their fundraising goals. For example, the nonprofit in each division that raises the most money will receive a $100,000 grant. Additional grants range from $50,000 for second place to $5,000 for seventh place. There are also weekly bonus challenges.

And to further boost their fundraising efforts, nonprofits will receive a purple purse designed by tennis champion and Purple Purse ambassador, Serena Williams. Handcrafted from premium Italian leather, the limited-edition purse is valued at $400. Holly’s House will feature the purse at an auction that will be held at their annual Hats Off to Holly’s House event in April, 2018, In addition to the local fundraiser, one individual from all donors to the Purple Purse Challenge on PurplePurse.com each week will win a purse in a random drawing.

While purses are available in limited supply, individuals can show their support for survivors by purchasing Purple Purse charms through PurplePurse.com between Oct. 2 and Oct. 31. Each charm cost $10 and comes with a short story about a domestic violence survivor who used financial resources to regain her independence. Proceeds from charm sales benefit 2017 Allstate Foundation Purple Purse Challenge participants.

The Allstate Foundation Purple Purse Challenge is administered by CrowdRise and is part of Allstate Foundation Purple Purse, a public education and fundraising program aimed at raising awareness of the prevalence of domestic violence and financial abuse and the need for resources to help survivors. Now in its 13th year, Allstate Foundation Purple Purse has propelled more than 1 million survivors on the path to safety and security, and invested more than $55 million to empower women to break free from abuse through life-changing financial education, job training and readiness and small business programs for survivors.