Blog Archive
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Featured Charity: Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
Apr 15 2012 - 3:40pm
Last year, MADD served a victim of drunk driving every nine minutes. Every half hour, MADD trains a parent in how to talk with their teen about alcohol. What else does MADD do that you didn’t realize? Find out here…
What does your organization do?
Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is the nation’s largest nonprofit working to protect “The mission of Mothers Against Drunk Driving is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking.” To date, MADD’s work has saved nearly 300,000 lives… and counting.
Where is your organization located?
How have you responded to the economic crisis?
Is there a time during the year when you need more help than usual?
How can I help?
How can my company help?
What kind of impact will my donation have?
What do you wish more people knew about your organization?
What makes your organization successful? Do you have any current or upcoming events?
Want to learn more about MADD?
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Apr 11 2011 - 4:24pm
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Featured Charity: Point Foundation
Apr 20 2012 - 3:53pm
In addition to providing financial support, mentoring, and leadership training - Point Foundation provides hope to meritorious students who are marginalized due to sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
What does your organization do and whom do you serve?
Location:
How have you responded to the economic crisis?
Is there a time during the year when you need more help than usual?
How can I help?
How can my company help?
What kind of impact will my donation have?
What do you wish more people knew about your organization?
What makes your organization successful?
Do you have any current or upcoming events?
May 3, 2012 – Washington DC Cornerstone These Cornerstone Society events are a great way to learn more about Point Foundation and details about each event are available at www.pointfoundation.org/events.
Want to learn more about Point Foundation?
Connect with Point Foundation on:
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Learning the new system
Jan 5 2011 - 11:28am
Today I had a tutorial on the editing system for our exciting new website! |
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Featured Charity: Rebuilding Together Alexandria
Feb 6 2012 - 10:18am
Part of a nationwide home repair and rehabilitation initiative, this charity is dedicated to keeping low-income homeowners living in safety, warmth, and independence through volunteer services.
What does your organization do? Since 1986, Rebuilding Together Alexandria has been committed to donating home repairs to the in-need families of Alexandria, VA by bringing volunteers, communities, and resources together. Our vision for Alexandria is a vibrant community where people of all income groups and cultures live in safe and healthy homes. How has your organization responded to the economic crisis?
We’ve seen the need for our free home repair services increase dramatically over the past few years, so we are working hard to gather more volunteer t Is there a time during the year when you need more help than usual? Each year to celebrate our National Rebuilding Day, we do a citywide blitz of repairs on 50-60 homes. This year’s blitz is on the last Saturday of April - 4/28/12. We have several other programs that support our mission – like Veterans Housing, Safe & Healthy Homes and Energize Alexandria - so we are always in need of skilled volunteers and in-kind donations from trade organizations. Is there something a company can do to help your organization? Organizations form teams to perform the home repairs at a client’s home. Both skilled and unskilled employees are needed. A more skilled person from Rebuilding Together Alexandria supervises all the work. If I make a donation today, how much of an impact will that donation have? $250: Pays for a storm door or new plumbing fixtures. $125: Buys safety grab bars for a bathroom. $100: Purchases 3 gallons of paint, two rollers and a pan, along with brushes to paint one bedroom. $75: Supplies 2 deadbolt locks, installed for added safety for single homeowners. $25: Covers the cost of 2 boxes of nails, a can of Spackle and a five-inch spreader for wall repairs. What one thing do you wish more people knew about your organization’s work? That we EXIST. There is so much more need in our community, but homeowners just don’t know about all the free services that we have to offer. What makes your organization successful? The support and management of our volunteer database. We couldn’t fulfill our mission without the generous support and volunteerism from the community. What are some of your upcoming events?
Want to learn more about Rebuilding Together Alexandria? Web Site: rebuildingtogetheralex.org Phone: 703-836-1021 Mailing Address: 700 Princess St, Mezzanine Suite 2, Alexandria, VA 22314 CFC#: 72369 E-mail: info@rebuildingtogetheralex.org
Stay aware of Rebuilding Together Alexandria’s current events and volunteer opportunities. Click here to receive the RTA E-Newsletter.
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Featured Charity: Fairfax County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
Nov 17 2011 - 12:37pm
“T For years she endured abuse from her father, until the day he walked out forever. Just when she thought she had lived through the worst, her mother's mental illness turned their home upside down. At 14, when Nunes should have been unwrapping Christmas gifts, she was instead locked in a bedroom by her mother. She endured the isolation for nearly a week, without food or water, until police broke into the house out of fear that she and her mother were both dead. Rescued from starvation and her troubled mother, Nunes did not yet have relief. With no one in the family picture, she began a long journey of survival. Fortunately, she wouldn't have to make it alone; Nunes had a CASA volunteer by her side, advocating for her best interests. (Erny, Cameran. "When the Family Portrait Is Empty." Veterans Organizations | The American Legion. The American Legion, 1 Apr. 2011. Web. 14 Nov. 2011. <http://www.legion.org/magazine/98727/when-family-portrait-empty>.)” During the holiday season, many of us look forward to those long, cherished hours where family and friends surround us as we share stories, laugh, and feast on our holiday meals. However, for individuals like Laura, the holiday season is not so precious. Each year, hundreds of thousands of children face abuse or neglect in their own home. Thanks to CASA programs around the country like Fairfax County Court Appointed Special Advocates, there is hope for these children. CASA volunteers enter a child’s life during a very chaotic time and through their observations and conversations with those involved, CASA volunteers are often times able to collect more information about the child and their situation than anyone else. Armed with this knowledge, the CASA volunteers fight for the fundamental rights of these children. As we head into the holiday season, what will you do to help make the season brighter for abused and neglected children? What’s a CASA volunteer? CASA volunteers, or Court Appointed Special Advocates, are appointed by family court judges to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children who are under the court’s protection. Nicknamed “the eyes and ears of the judge”, CASA volunteers gather information about a child’s situation and report that information back to court. CASA volunteers visit with the children on their assigned cases, and speak with social workers, therapists, teachers, and other professionals. The goal is to help ensure that an abused or neglected child will live in a safe and permanent home. Isn’t a CASA volunteer the same thing as a social worker or an attorney? No. The CASA volunteer is an independent, impartial observer, gathering the facts of a case to report back to court, and advocating for the best interests of the child. CASA volunteers do not replace social workers and they do not provide legal representation in the courtroom like attorneys. Are CASA volunteers mentors? No. CASA volunteers are advocates and spend much of their time working with the professionals on a case to ensure that an abused or neglected child remains safe and receives needed services. That said, CASA volunteers visit the children on their assigned cases twice a month, and are often the consistent adult presence in the lives of these children while they are under the court’s protection. How effective is CASA? Last year, more than 75,000 CASA volunteers helped 240,000 abused and neglected children find safe, permanent homes across the country. Of those volunteers, 171 served in Fairfax County alone advocating for 426 abused and neglected children. Judges have observed that children with a CASA volunteer have better chances of finding permanent homes than those without a CASA volunteer. Preliminary findings have shown that children who have been assigned CASA volunteers tend to spend less time in court, spend less time languishing within the foster care system, do better in school, and are more likely to live a consistent, responsible adult life than those who do not have a CASA volunteer. How can I help? There are many ways to help: · Become a CASA volunteer. If you would like to learn more about becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate, the next step is to attend a one-hour information session. Sessions are held twice monthly at convenient locations; 11/19/11 at the Burke Centre Library from 11am – 12pm and 12/5/11 at the Fairfax CASA office from 12pm-1pm. Contact Elisa Kosarin at ekosarin@casafairfax.org for additional dates and times of upcoming sessions. · Refer a friend. CASA volunteering requires an extensive time commitment that is just not possible for everyone. If you know someone with a love of children and the available time, contact Elisa Kosarin at ekosarin@casafairfax.org · Give to Fairfax CASA. As a nonprofit organization, Fairfax CASA must raise the funds needed to support the work of its dedicated volunteers. Please consider making a tax deductible contribution through your workplace campaign (CFC #68151). Want to learn more? Web Site: http://www.fairfaxcasa.org Phone: (703) 273-3526 Mailing Address:
4103 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 200 E-Mail: staff@casafairfax.org -- for general questions and comments Elisa Kosarin: volunteer@casafairfax.org -- to volunteer Lisa Banks: executivedirector@casafairfax.org -- for program and financial/contributions related questions. Listen to what Fairfax CASA Executive Director, Lisa Banks’, recently had to say in a radio interview: http://www.casafairfax.org/Images/Images/zell%20law-lisa%20banks%20segment%202%203-20-10.mp3 |
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Putting a Helping Hand on Black Friday
Nov 28 2011 - 4:56pm
Shop Purchase certain merchandise and you will know that your transaction motivated a $2 donation by Macy's to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. They were not alone in helping Americans think of more than just shopping last weekend. Thanks also go to our friends at Parade magazine for sending positive signals to its readers around the world. If you did not see the cover story on November 27, check it out here: http://www.parade.com/news/2011/11/giving-issue.html. Parade took a cue from the editors at the Allentown Morning Call. There, editors have watched the commercial strains of the holiday turn Thanksgiving Weekend into one extended bout of conspicuous consumption called Black Friday. Except that Black Friday now stretches from Wednesday through Monday. Now, people and organizations are jumping on the bandwagon to make the Sunday after Thanksgiving Charity Sunday. This week, Parade featured ten charities helping veterans, residents of Joplin, MO, and more. They wrote: No doubt about it, 2011 has been tough: floods, wildfires, a long-standing war, and a cratered economy that has taken a toll on all of us. Our domestic needs are so immense, experts have even coined a term for that what-can-I-do feeling: compassion fatigue.
Help a needy family meet their mortgage. Feed a hungry child. Stop a new HIV/AIDS crisis. Come to the rescue of flooded communities. The list goes on. One final tip of the America’s Charities eagle wing goes to the Dallas Cowboys for helping the Salvation Army kickoff its Kettle Drive last weekend. How will you and your family lend a hand through giving of your time, talent or treasury to help those in need in your neighborhood, your national or around the world? |
Featured Charity: National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
May 11 2012 - 10:47am
It's National Police Week! Learn about the Memorial Fund and see how you can help commemorate the service and sacrifice of America's law enforcement officers during this week's events.
What does your organization do? The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund commemorates the service and sacrifice of America’s law enforcement officers. The Memorial Fund built and continues to maintain the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial – the nation’s monument to law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. The Memorial Fund is a principal organizer of the National Police Week observance each May and hosts a Candlelight Vigil at the Memorial each May 13 to honor all fallen officers. In addition, the Fund maintains the largest, most comprehensive database of line-of-duty officer deaths, conducts research into officer fatality trends and issues and serves as an information clearinghouse. The Memorial Fund is the only organization that manages a congressionally-authorized, national monument to fallen law enforcement officers.
Location: Is there a time during the year when you need more help than usual? Open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, the Memorial requires a great deal of maintenance and up keep. Additionally, around the end of April each year, the names of officers killed in the line of duty are added to the Memorial – with 300-400 names typically added each year. It costs approximately $75,000 to $100,000 annually to cover the cost of engraving all the names. A single donation or multiple donations totaling $250 helps us engrave 1 name. How can I help? The Memorial Fund is currently in the midst of an $80 million capital campaign to build the National Law Enforcement Museum, authorized by Congress in 2000. The Museum is currently under construction across the street from the Memorial in Washington, DC, and it will tell the story of American law enforcement. How can my company help? We often team up with companies to conduct co-branded campaigns and programs to raise public awareness and funds.
What kind of impact will my donation have? Donations are used to meet the Memorial Fund’s mission, including:
What do you wish more people knew about your organization? In addition to the work we do to honor fallen law enforcement officers, the Memorial Fund focuses on raising awareness about law enforcement safety in order to help reduce the number of law enforcement officers killed each year. Also, in 2000, Congress authorized the Memorial Fund to begin working on the first-ever National Law Enforcement Museum, set to open in 2014, which will tell the story of American law enforcement. The Museum is currently under construction in Washington, DC and will be located across the street from the Memorial. What makes your organization successful? Over 30% of Americans have a connection to law enforcement … friends, family, neighbors and more. We are successful because our mission is righteous and intrepid, and a majority of Americans support our efforts to honor fallen law enforcement officers by commemorating their service and sacrifice by engraving names onto the Memorial.
Do you have any current or upcoming events?
Click here for the Memorial Fund’s calendar of upcoming events across the country.
Want to learn more about National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund?
Connect with National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund on:
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Featured Charity: "I Have A Dream" Foundation
Feb 10 2012 - 2:35pm
Working to ensure that one day, all children receive the opportunity to achieve a college education and fully capitalize on their talents, this charity has inspired the creation of replicate programs nationwide.
What does your organization do?
The “I Have A Dream” Foundation is working to ensure that one day, all children will have the opportunity to achieve a college education and fully capitalize on their talents, aspirations, and leadership so that we can fulfill our promise as a nation. We sponsor entire cohorts of 50-150 students in under-resourced public schools in urban and rural communities, and we work with these “Dreamers” from early elementary school all the way through high school. Upon high school graduation, each Dreamer receives guaranteed tuition assistance for higher education. Since our founding in 1981, we have provided programmatic and financial support to more than 14,000 Dreamers to date, making “I Have A Dream” one of the nation’s oldest and largest college pipeline programs. Our Dreamers often graduate and enter college at double the rates of other students in the local population, and surpass the overall statewide average for students in their peer groups. Many of our Dreamers will be the first in their families to attend and graduate from college. External evaluations have found that our students demonstrate improvements in grades and school attendance; are better able to resist peer pressure; and have higher aspirations and more positive attitudes about school, life, and the future. Our program is unique in two ways: (1) the long-term nature of the program – very few programs stay with the same children from elementary school through college; and (2) the deeply personal nature of the program – sponsors are actively involved in the lives of their Dreamers, and Dreamers establish meaningful relationships with them and with volunteers over a long period of time. As we look to the future, we are committed to doing even more to ensure that our nation’s students have every opportunity to not just enter, but also complete college. We are now launching an ambitious new model – developed in partnership with some of the nation’s leading K-12 school leaders – to reach many more students and ensure they not just start but complete college.
Where is your organization located?
Our 29 affiliates are supporting more than 3,000 Dreamers, who are working their way to college in 25 cities, 17 states, Washington, D.C., and New Zealand, following the 11,000 Dreamers who came before them. Our national headquarters are based in New York City. How has your organization responded to the economic crisis? The economic crisis has created new challenges for our organization – as for so many others – even as it has amplified the need for our services. We are feeling great urgency to grow our impact and serve more students, while ensuring we have the resources to do so effectively. In response, we have worked closely with some of the nation's most visionary school leaders to develop an innovative school-based model, which builds on our legacy and will enable many more low-income students to achieve higher education on a large and more sustainable scale. The new model takes a collective-impact approach and involves joining efforts with K-12 public schools, colleges, and other college ‘to and through’ programs to ensure an integrated college pathway for students. While our partner schools will focus on delivering strong academic programs, our program partners and we will provide students with a continuum of supports strongly tied to college success, including individualized college roadmaps, college and career networks, and college savings accounts. These services will be delivered in part through a technology platform that will bring together our students, families, and school, college, and program partners. We are immensely excited about the possibilities and we believe our new model will generate broader insights for the field as we all work to better support students. It is our hope that by expanding opportunities for higher education, fewer Americans will face the challenges that so many do in our current economy, and many more will be able to capitalize on their talents and passions.
Is there a time during the year when you need help most? We rely year-round on the commitment and generosity of champions - whether as donors, volunteers, or pro bono consultants - to sustain our operations and continually strengthen our efforts. This is a particularly exciting time for us, as we launch our new program model with the goal of reaching many more students. We are seeking supporters to provide general operating support, to make critical curricula and technology investments, and to invest in our Dreamers' College Savings Accounts. In addition, we are seeking national leaders to serve as Board members and provide resources and expertise in critical areas including fundraising, public relations/brand strategy, technology, and consulting. As mentioned above, we are seeking supporters to invest in our new model and also to seed our students' College Savings Accounts. We are also building a network of champions, including college coaches, college partners, and corporate partners, to support Dreamers in achieving critical milestones on the way to college and to expand their horizons. We have found these relationships to be critical to our Dreamers' continued motivation and success. If you are interested in supporting us financially or getting involved as a volunteer, please contact Tori McRoberts at tmcroberts@ihaveadreamfoundation.org for more information.
Simply put, we would not be where we are today without the generosity and expertise of individuals and companies. As we look to the future, corporate partners will be even more critical to our continued success. In recent years we have partnered with a variety of organizations that have supported our Dreamers and the broader organization by sharing both time and resources. Several examples of these high-impact partnerships include:
Our Partner Wish-list includes: A preferred airline: To provide our Dreamers with free and reduced fares so they can visit colleges, participate in other pre-college experiences, and visit home once they are away at college; A bank partner: To provide our Dreamers and their families with financial literacy training and financial tools; Preferred retailer partners: (e.g., office supply companies) To provide our Dreamers with needed school supplies at reduced costs; A technology partner: To provide our Dreamers with tablets or laptops, which will be critical to their ongoing education; and A marketing partner: To increase our visibility and help us rally more champions in this work. What kind of impact will my donation have?
We value each and every donation! Your donation will be applied to investments that benefit our Dreamers directly. Supporters can allocate their donations to specific p In addition, as mentioned earlier, we are establishing College Savings Accounts (CSAs) for students who participate in our new program. Research indicates that children who have college savings accounts in their names are six times more likely to attend college than those who do not. We will seed each account with a modest amount, and continue to make celebratory deposits as our students achieve milestones on the way to college. We will also tie CSAs to financial literacy workshops and assistance accessing other forms of financial aid. We are incredibly excited that the contributions of supporters will not only help remove financial barriers for our students, but also put our students on a different academic and life trajectory. We very much hope you will be part of this! *If you would like to make a donation to seed CSA accounts for our scholars (at $400/scholar/year over four years), please indicate that preference when completing the donation form. What do you wish more people knew about your organization?
While many individuals are familiar with “I Have A Dream” and our 'sponsor-a-class' program model, many are less familiar with the broader impact of our work. In addition to the direct impact we have had on Dreamers, we have also inspired replication programs across the nation, including the federal program GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) and other nonprofit organizations such as Say Yes to Education. We have also catalyzed broader change in public education, as many of our Sponsors, while new to education when they first became involved with “I Have A Dream”, have since become some of the nation’s most influential education reformers. Today, as mentioned above, we are developing a new program model that builds on our legacy to reach many more students and communities. It's an immensely exciting time to get involved, and we would welcome the engagement of new supporters and champions! What makes your organization successful and what advice do you have for others?
We have built our success around a passionate and singular focus on the long-term success of our Dreamers. Everything we do – from how we implement our program, to how we engage the We stay with our Dreamers over the long term and do whatever it takes to ensure their success, leveraging the talents and expertise of others to help our Dreamers along the way. Our programs inspire collaboration and community building around our big goal. We believe that by sharing resources and joining forces with like-minded institutions, we can collectively have a far greater impact on many more students. Our most important advice to other nonprofits is to keep the big picture in mind. That is, have a clear vision of success and ensure that your every decision and action brings you closer to it, even – and especially – when it is hardest to do so. What are some of your upcoming events? We have two flagship events each year, which rely heavily on the support of friends and champions for their success.
Want to learn more about the “I Have A Dream” Foundation? Web Site: www.ihaveadreamfoundation.org Phone: (212) 293-5480 x34 Mailing Address: “I Have A Dream” Foundation, 330 Seventh Ave., 20th Floor, New York, NY 10001 E-mail: tmcroberts@ihaveadreamfoundation.org Follow the “I Have A Dream” Foundation on:
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Featured Charity: SPCA of Central Florida
Mar 2 2012 - 6:22pm
Through community outreach programs, affordable veterinary services, cruelty investigations and a strong pet adoption program, this charity goes beyond just finding loving homes for animals. Learn how you can lend a "helping paw"...
What does your organization do?
The SPCA of Central Florida is THE oldest and largest animal welfare agency in the heart of Central Florida. We serve Central Florida through education an In Central Florida, we educate over 60,000 adult and children in responsible pet ownership, spaying and neutering, animal cruelty and so much more. Our clinic serves over 40,000 patients each and every year and we provide safe shelter for thousands of homeless animals. Where is your organization located? The SPCA of Central Florida has two shelters and clinics plus a mobile unit throughout the Central Florida area. We are the local humane society for the Greater Orlando area. Our assistance goes out to over five counties right here at home.
How has your organization responded to the economic crisis and how can I help? The SPCA of Central Florida has seen an increase in need over the last several years, sadly because of the economic crisis. Our shelter has seen more companion animals being turned in because people can’t afford them, have to move or are facing foreclosure. Central Florida has been hit hard by the housing crisis. The SPCA of Central Florida has responded by providing over 15,000 free vaccinations and low cost veterinary services to the community. We have stayed creative in pursuing loving and secure homes for our animals. During this crisis, we have been a leader in helping the community through the support and partnerships of loving people and their pets.
You can visit us at www.OrlandoPets.org today to learn more about how you can lend a hand or even a paw! Some ways you can help:
There are so many opportunities and ways to help, year round; we will always make sure you are provided with the best possible match in giving!
Of course! You can host an outside event (bowling tournament, casual Friday, or even a donation drive) for the animals. Or you could even walk as a group or “Pack” as we refer to it for one of our walks (we have two dog walks every year, one in February at Lake Eola and the other in October at Crane’s Roost). Or you can sponsor a table or group of tickets for one of our fun and furry events! Our spectacular live and silent auction at SeaWorld Orlando, “FurBall”, has great benefits and perks for companies and so does our casual wine tasting each and every July in Downtown Orlando. To learn more about our upcoming events, sponsorship opportunities, help raise awareness for the SPCA or for information on how to host a special event on your own visit, www.OrlandoPets.org. What kind of impact will my donation have? Every dollar and dime helps! From a can of cat food to a large monetary donation, you are making a difference in the life of an animal. We make sure that all financial contributions - big or small - go back to help the animals and those in need. Your Donation Helps:
These are just a few ways your donations helps every day and in every way in our Central Florida Community.
What do you wish more people knew about your organization? There is a misconception that we are an animal-only agency. Every day, we help people with our community outreach programming, including people who are in crisis and looking for someone to lend a hand. Our Project F.A.I.T.H. program started as a way to help families that are in a domestic violence situation and want to get out, but hesitate to leave in fear of not finding a place for their furry loved ones or leaving their animal behind. We keep their pets for them while they move, find a better home and work to get their families back on its feet. Also, we have our Pet Food Xpress program to assist needy senior citizens with pet food and veterinary care. At NO cost to the seniors and their furry family members, we are able to provide: annual visits, spay/neuter, and of course the essential food they need every day to live long and happy lives… just like their owners! We TRULY are a community service agency, serving all of Central Florida!
What makes your organization successful and what advice do you have for others? I would say we never forget who we are helping… looking into the face of a dog up for adoption and getting your face covered in kisses. Having a cat curl up with you tells you how much love he/she has to share and seeing that cat go home with people who are their new parents is priceless. Fast forward to seeing them months or years later and hearing about the great new life they have - how they have their own room or a large backyard to run and play, and of course a non-stop supply of squeaky toys, balls or catnip mice - that is what makes our work enjoyable and meaningful. Knowing we have found a home and helped another animal makes everything worth it. Do you have any current or upcoming events? We do! Meow March, our cat FUNdraiser is currently taking place. From March 1st through March 31st our annual cat walk (a virtual event) helps us to raise much needed funds for our cats & kittens here at the SPCA of Central Florida. Meow March is in it’s sixth year here at the agency as an annual event. How it works is individuals can go on-line, create their very own website and ask friends, family and co-workers to help them in their fundraising goal. Once the event is over, walkers are thanked for reaching their goals and sent lots of cat goodies and treats for their pets at home. Every year the event raises about $10,000 for the agency and our community programming. Since this is a National event, even if you live outside the state of Florida and love cats as much as us, you can lend a paw too! Go to www.OrlandoPets.org to learn more about this purrfect event! Want to learn more about SPCA of Central Florida? Web Site: www.OrlandoPets.org Phone: 407-351-7722 extension: 274 Mailing Address: 2727 Conroy Road Orlando, Florida 32839 CFC#: 30382 E-mail: robin@orlandopets.org Follow SPCA of Central Florida on:
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Happy Spring!
Apr 4 2011 - 4:29am
I will be leaving for Chicago a little later today to attend the Charities@Work conference, but be before I go I wanted to share a heartfelt letter that was sent to two of our Children First members. Recently, the Marshall family from Ohio enlisted the services of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America and Give Kids the World. Their daughter, Sarah, was diagnosed with cancer and she wished for a trip to the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida. Thanks to both our members they were able to make this trip happen for Sarah and her family, and she had the time or her life. The even better news is Sarah has completed her chemotherapy treatment and is now cancer free! Here is a copy of the letter Sarah's mom wrote to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America.
Happy Spring everyone! |
Featured Charity: Austin Children's Shelter
Mar 16 2012 - 1:31pm
This charity provides supportive services, a stable home-like environment, and a truly life-changing experience for youth and young adults from birth to 22 who have experienced significant loss, trauma, abuse and/or neglect in their lives.
What does your organization do? Austin Children’s Shelter (ACS) provides a safe home and supportive service for children, youth and young adults from birth to 22 who have experienced significant loss, trauma, abuse and/or neglect in their lives. Most children and youth at the Austin Children’s Shelter have been removed from their homes by Child Protective Services because of severe abuse or neglect.
Providing a stable, safe and home-like environment, ACS provides medical care and therapy, and teaches positive coping skills and responsible decision-making. Through customized service plans and nurturing support and guidance for each resident, we help the young people in our care to heal and to prepare for transition to the next phase of their life. Emergency shelter is provide Where is your organization located? We are located in Austin, Texas and serve children and youth throughout Central Texas and even beyond the area. How have you responded to the economic crisis? Since children and youth are sent to Austin Children’s Shelter through Child Protective Services, Juvenile Probation Office and other agencies, an economic crisis does not have a direct effect on the number of children needing our care. However, a difficult economy does weaken already fragile families and generally increases instances of child abuse. In order to meet the needs of children in our care year round, we rely heavily on the community to help us in the form of grants, fund-raising events and donations. Funding we receive from the State of Texas accounts for only 33% of our costs to provide programs, services and residential care and the rest must be raised. Is there a time during the year when you need more help than usual? Like most non-profits, most of our donations come in the last quarter of the year, which makes the rest of the year more challenging financially. Our costs are the same year round so we truly appreciate and need support all year.
However, there are many other ways to help:
Companies provide a variety of great resources for Austin Children’s Shelter ranging from sponsorship of events or donations, employee groups volunteering at the Shelter or providing donated services. A recent example of the latter is Mason Zimbler. MZ is a technology marketing company that is supporting ACS in two ways – volunteering as a group and providing pro bono design services. They are currently working on our annual report. We work with each company to help them achieve their goals in providing support for the Shelter. What kind of impact will my donation have? Any donation – of any size – has a direct impact on the children and youth here. Eighty-three cents of every dollar donated goes directly to programs. That includes 24/7 staff who are trained to work with children who have experience the trauma of abuse and neglect, therapy, medical and dental care, case management and more. One of the many, many stories we could tell is about Danielle. She was abandoned by her drug-addicted mother, raised by an abusive aunt and was unprepared to be a loving mother at age 14 and again two years later when she had a second daughter. Danielle and her daughters were placed at Austin Children’s Shelter and we quickly discovered that she was emotionally unable to respond to the needs of her daughters. Never having bonded with a loving adult, she had no knowledge of what her children needed of her. Her lack of response created extreme anxiety and fear in her three-year old daughter, which our Clinical Care Staff addressed through intensive play therapy sessions.
She was also diagnosed with a major depressive disorder and we arranged After many months, Danielle’s hard work in therapy and training in childcare helped her to develop the “motherly instincts” most of us learn from our own loving parents. Danielle’s self-confidence increased over time and her little family flourished. What do you wish more people knew about your organization? Most of the children at ACS are actually teens and even young adults. Child Protective Services works to get children placed in homes but teens that have a much longer history of abuse and neglect, and have often had multiple placements, need more intensive care and are more difficult to place in a home environment. For many of the teens at ACS, we are their home. What makes your organization successful?
First of all the staff, our board of directors and volunteers have a deep commitment to t Do you have any current or upcoming events?
Friday, March 23, 2012: Fashion for Compassion Presented by Mercedes-Benz of Austin with Saks Fifth Avenue, this is our 5th annual spring style show and it will feature prominent Austinites – many with their families -- on the runway at Saks. We’ll have delicious tastings by multiple Austin restaurants, distinctive live auction items and fabulous shopping. Saks Fifth Avenue is generously donating 10% of purchases made on March 22nd, 23rd and 24th when the Shelter’s name is mentioned. Tickets are $150 for Reserved Seating and $100 General. Details and tickets are at www.austinchildrenshelter.org/fashion. Want to learn more about Austin Children’s Shelter? Web Site: www.austinchildrenshelter.org Phone: 512.499.0090 Mailing Address: 4800 Manor Road, Austin, TX 78723 E-mail: info@austinchildrenshelter.org Follow Austin Children's Shelter on:
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Featured Charity: WAMU 88.5 American University Radio
May 4 2012 - 5:08pm
In today’s media climate, news coverage from public radio stations like WAMU 88.5 is increasingly difficult to find. But, WAMU 88.5 is more than just a public radio station - discover what all they offer and why your support is needed more than ever.
What does your organization do and whom do you serve?
Location:
How have you responded to the economic crisis? Additionally, In addition to covering the story of the economic climate from multiple perspectives, the station continues its ongoing involvement in community issues and its own support of nonprofits. It spotlights the work of local charities (WAMU’s Community Minute), provides media sponsorship of numerous community activities through monthly PSAs and media sponsorships of community events. WAMU 88.5 supports local nonprofits with valuable exposure for their good work in many areas of need.
Is there a time during the year when you need more help than usual? How can I help?
How can my company help? Corporate support for WAMU 88.5 is an essential source of funding. These dollars are used to pay national network programming fees and acquire new programs. Companies help the station carry out its mission of encouraging lifelong learning through in-depth news and entertainment and also get to share their messages with a well-informed and active local community. What kind of impact will my donation have?
For example:
What do you wish more people knew about your organization? As the news industry shrinks, public radio is more important than ever. Listeners tune in to WAMU 88.5 for thoughtful, in-depth coverage of local and national news issues. In today’s media climate, this kind of news coverage is increasingly difficult to find. People may also be surprised to know that even though WAMU 88.5 is a public radio station, content is no longer limited to on-air broadcasts, but includes blogs, social media, podcasts, mobile apps and Internet streams. What makes your organization successful?
High-quality content, solid fundraising strategies, and strong leadership are key components of the station’s success. Do you have any current or upcoming events?
Want to learn more about WAMU 88.5 American University Radio?
Web Site: wamu.org
Connect with WAMU 88.5 American University Radio on:
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Featured Charity: Miriam's Kitchen
Dec 20 2011 - 12:56pm
There are more than 6,500 homeless individuals living on the streets of Washington, DC on any given night. Of those, more than 2,000 are considered chronically homeless--meaning they are living with a physical or mental disability and have been homeless for at least one year (or multiple times over the past few years). These individuals often live with severe mental illness, chronic substance abuse and/or severe health problems. Their quality of life is diminished and their life expectancy is cut short. They are struggling to survive. These are the men and women Miriam's Kitchen serves. In this week's Featured Charity interview, find out not only how Miriam's Kitchen is providing free, healthy meals and case management services to DC's homeless, but what they are doing to put an end to chronic homelessness in Washington, DC. What does your organization do and how are you different from other groups with similar missions? We provide DC's homeless with free healthy meals and case management services, and advocate for the permanent supportive housing and systemic change necessary to end chronic homelessness in Washington, DC. A few things make us different:
Where is your organization located? Miriam’s Kitchen is located in and supports the Washington, DC community.
How has your organization responded to the economic crisis? Our leadership has been instrumental in making sure Miriam’s Kitchen has had the tools necessary to survive the economic crisis. We have an important fiscal policy in place that requires us to have at least 50% of our budget in reserve at all times. This fiscal security has allowed us to continue to grow, even in tough economic times. Since 2008, we’ve doubled our program hours to include dinner and evening case management services, nearly doubled our budget and staff to ensure our guests have the resources and support necessary to succeed, and have launched an advocacy program with the ultimate goal of ending chronic homelessness in DC. We know the needs of our community are great and we’ve worked hard to ensure we can continue to meet them in the best ways possible. Is there a time during the year when you need more help than usual?
Throughout the year, we’re lucky to have support from more than 2,000 dedicated volunteers. This large base of volunteer support allows us to weather the ups and downs of increased demand for our services. Some things that are always needed though include in-kind and financial donations. We don’t necessarily see demand for these items spike at any one time, but rather they fluctuate according to the time of year. For instance, right now our in-kind donation wish list includes sleeping bags, winter hats and gloves to help our guests get through the coldest months of the year. How can I help? We’d love your help! Our two biggest needs right now are:
If I make a donation today, how much of an impact will that donation have? Your gift would make a tremendous impact! Every dollar counts—especially since we’re able to create a healthy meal for one of our guests for just $1 in food costs! A gift of $50 will provide healthy meals to one guest for an entire month. If case management is what you’re interested in, a donation of $200 will provide case management services to one guest for all of 2012! We will serve more than 4,000 homeless men and women in 2012 on a budget of $2,250,300, meaning every donation truly does have an impact. What one thing do you wish more people knew about your organization’s work? We are always really excited to share with our community our work to end chronic homelessness in DC. We just recently focused our efforts on this new vision and have put a lot of work into it already. Some of the completed tasks include: identifying our theory of change and the strategies we think are important for us to implement to end chronic homelessness, and launching our advocacy program to focus on advocating for permanent supportive housing and systemic change. We’re currently developing tools to share more details about our new vision and can’t wait to show them to you when they’re completed in early 2012.
What could a company (of any size) do to help your organization? We love sharing our work with the companies that support our community! Some ways that companies have helped recently include:
What makes your organization successful and what advice would you share with other charities out there? Miriam’s Kitchen is successful for a few reasons:
Through it all though, we’ve maintained a consistent culture of inclusiveness, hospitality and respect. This consistency of culture has helped us succeed and is important for any organization working through change. Do you have any upcoming special events? Our biggest event is 100 Bowls of Compassion—coming up on Thursday, May 10th from 6-9:30 pm at the National Building Museum in DC. Tickets go on sale in March and can be purchased at www.miriamskitchen.org. For information about sponsoring the gala, please contact our Executive Director, Scott Schenkelberg, at scott@miriamskitchen.org or (202) 452-8926 x 222.
Want to learn more about Miriam's Kitchen? Web Site: www.miriamskitchen.org Phone: 202-452-8926 Mailing Address: 2401 Virginia Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 CFC#: 27085 E-mail: info@miriamskitchen.org Follow Miriam's Kitchen on:
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Featured Charity: United Cerebral Palsy (UCP)
Mar 9 2012 - 11:01am
Did you know more than 65% of people served by UCP have disabilities OTHER than Cerebral Palsy? From disabilities evidenced from birth to traumatic brain injury from a car accident, UCP and its affiliates are committed to creating a life without limits for people with a spectrum of disabilities.
What does your organization do? An estimated 54 million Americans live with a disability. Some need lots of support, others only a little. But all deserve to live a life without limits. United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) educates, advocates and provides support services to ensure a life without limits for people with a spectrum of disabilities, not just cerebral palsy. Together with our network of service providers (known as affiliates), UCP works to enact changes that increase accessibility and independence for people with a spectrum of disabilities, so they can live their lives without limits. What differentiates UCP from other disability organizations is its commitment to provide support throughout the lifespan of a person with a disability with special emphasis on key moments of transition: birth to early childhood, early childhood to school, school to early adulthood and into the aging years. UCP also provides broad supports for families and caregivers of people with disabilities and seeks innovative solutions, often based in technology, to conquer the barriers facing people with disabilities. Where is your organization located? United Cerebral Palsy’s national office is in Washington, DC, and our network of affiliates are scattered across the United States, Canada, Scotland, and Australia. Each affiliate is an independent 501c3 organization that offers a range of services tailored to its community’s unique needs (housing, therapy, employment assistance, etc.). UCP national supports the affiliate network; advocates on behalf of individuals with disabilities; advances federal disability public policy; provides information and referral services; and develops programs like “Life Without Limits” and “Public & Education Outreach” Initiatives. What are some of your programs and initiatives? A key component of succeeding in our effort to attain fair and full citizenship for people with disabilities is educating and empowering those with disabilities, as well as those without a defined disability. UCP recently expanded its Public Education & Outreach (PEO) initiatives to connect individuals and families with the resources and services they need:
How can my company help? UCP receives monetary gifts from companies made in honor of an employee or at the request of an employee. At the local level, companies provide both in-kind and monetary support for affiliates’ various walks/runs, auctions, or other events. One of the more successful national partnerships is with Circle K Stores. UCP remains Circle K’s charity of choice in the Florida and Gulf regions and is UCP’s largest corporate sponsor, having raised more than $40 million over the life of the partnership through coin collection canisters at retail sites and with special events like golf tournaments, casual days, bake sales and car washes. Companies can get involved through a tailored cause marketing program; UCP is happy to work with the individual goals of each company, including creating programs that promote employee engagement. What kind of impact will my donation have & what are some other ways I can help? Donations to UCP are put to immediate use to support our affiliates, provide information and referral services, maintain our national public education and outreach initiatives, and launch innovative programs. A donation today will allow UCP to accelerate the launch of its Public Education offerings, so that struggling parents and caregivers access the critical information they need, and people with disabilities can receive vital support to create a better life for themselves and those they love. There are several ways you can help, including (click here for more ideas):
What do you wish more people knew about your organization? UCP affiliates provide services to people with a spectrum of disabilities. In fact, more than 65% of people served by our affiliates have disabilities other than cerebral palsy, including Down Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, physical disabilities and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Globally, UCP is committed to change and progress for children and adults with disabilities, whether it is a disability evidenced from birth, the result of an accident, or as a consequence of aging. Do you have any current or upcoming events? September 4, 2012: World CP Day This worldwide event promotes awareness about cerebral palsy and will include a month-long CP Challenge (a pedometer program that is perfect for corporate wellness programs), an international public awareness campaign and a special fund-raising launch on September 4, 2012. September 22, 2012: College 101: Navigating the World of Higher Education This is a daylong “boot camp” for youth with a spectrum of disabilities, their parents, and higher education professionals. Designed for those about to begin their college search or about to enter college, the day will feature interactive forums and presentations to inform and empower them to successfully navigate their transition to college. Want to learn more about United Cerebral Palsy?
Web Site: www.ucp.org Phone: (800) 872-5827 Mailing Address: 1825 K Street, NW Suite 600, Washington DC 20006 CFC#: 88763 E-mail: info@ucp.org; gpole@ucp.org Follow United Cerebral Palsy on:
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Featured Charity: Christian Appalachian Project (CAP)
Mar 26 2012 - 9:24am
This interdenominational non-profit organization is dedicated to assisting the most at-risk, under-resourced populations in Appalachia. Currently hosting its annual WorkFest® and YouthFest® programs, while providing disaster relief to March 2nd tornado victims, see how your support can help Christian Appalachian Project achieve its mission.
What does your organization do?
Christian Appalachian Pro What makes CAP unique?
Where is your organization located? Although CAP’s headquarters and home has always been Eastern Kentucky, the organization operates throughout the 13-state Appalachian Mountain “corridor”, which stretches from New York to Mississippi. CAP’s service area also includes Arkansas and Missouri from the Ozark Mountain region. Eastern Kentucky, CAP’s primary geographic target, has the distinction of being home to 12 of the poorest 25 counties in the U.S., as measured by median household income. Most of the region has known nothing but poverty for decades, which is why it is so frequently referred to as generational poverty. How have you responded to the economic crisis?
The economy has caused a tremendous increase in demand for CAP services, including our food pantry, outreach services and emergency assistance. Through Operation Sharing®, we have increased our efforts asking for more targeted goods and this has helped us meet the rising demands without any significant increase in costs. Another way CAP is helping is through the Appalachian Home Catalog, which was developed as an economic development program to promote job creation and business growth through partnerships with select local craftsmen and artisans. Through this venture we hope to help local businesses grow and stimulate the economy for the Appalachian region.
Is there a time during the year when you need more help than usual? While CAP’s 22 programs operate 12 months a year, there are two seasons where our impact kicks into high gear:
Winter and spring also tend to be the most challenging times of the year for those who utilize our services, because of higher utility costs and the increased threat of natural disasters (flooding, tornadoes, and winter storms). Like most charities, financial gifts are the most important means by which individuals can contribute. On top of its regular human service programs, CAP must also be poised for impending emergencies. Earlier this month, Eastern Kentucky was struck by several severe tornadoes—at least one being a category F-3. 19 people lost their lives. CAP immediately mobilized its Disaster Relief services, enlisting between 150-175 volunteers each day since the storm devastation, to offer relief and clean-up services for victims. The cost of outfitting volunteers with protective clothing, replacing consumable supplies, emergency tools and equipment has been enormous. The rebuilding process will be even more costly. Many companies have donated cash and supplies to aid in CAP’s current Disaster Relief services for Eastern Kentucky’s tornado outbreak on March 2, 2012. Others have sent volunteers to assist in sorting donated clothing and loading delivery trucks. A company of any size can therefore become involved through donations of cash, non-cash items or by volunteering. In addition, as a Human Services organization, with the assistance of any company, CAP can continue to educate the public about the struggles and solutions of poverty in the most impoverished area of our country. Over the past year and a half, Texas Roadhouse has sent two employee teams from their corporate headquarters in Louisville to upgrade a child development center in McCreary County, KY and a summer camp facility near Prestonsburg, KY. The result was inspirational and life-changing for both of our program participants as well as the volunteers involved. What kind of impact will my donation have?
CAP’s cost of fundraising is one of the lowest among all charities, at 6%. Over 90¢ out of every donated dollar goes Furthermore, providing holistic services works best when the various programs arms can interact closely from a united front. Allowing volunteers to participate directly in human service programming is another way to conserve while also enabling CAP to expand its service outreach. CAP has helped untold numbers become taxpayers instead of recipients of public assistance. This has happened because of our self-help focus. For example, one individual we assisted more than 20 years ago had a husband who became permanently disabled. We enrolled her children in one of CAP’s child and family development centers and we assisted her in completing her GED. With additional education and training, she has served as a teacher in one of CAP’s child and family development centers for more than 12 years. What do you wish more people knew about your organization?
What makes your organization successful? CAP is successful because it is a mission-driven organization with passionate individuals, both staff and volunteers, who are committed to serving people in need in Appalachia. Our advice to other charities would be to stay focused on your mission and to find individuals who share a passion for that same mission and will put it into action. Do you have any current or upcoming events? Each spring CAP celebrates four weeks of WorkFest® followed by a month of YouthFest®. Both are alternative spring break community service programs and attract close to 1,000 students—from high schools, colleges and churches—who participate in rehabbing the homes of Appalachian families, elderly individuals and folks with physical challenges. Want to learn more about Christian Appalachian Project? Web Site: www.christianapp.org Phone: (859) 269-0635 Mailing Address: CAP-Development Office, PO BOX 55911, Lexington, KY 40555-5911 CFC#: 32231 E-mail: mstratford@chrisapp.org Connect with Christian Appalachian Project on:
CAP Volunteer Video: http://christianapp.org/vol/2009/08/volunteer-with-cap/ Economic Development Merchant Catalog: http://www.appalachianhome.org/
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A Dynamic Leader Helps Keep a Food Charity’s Cupboards Full
Dec 7 2011 - 5:18pm
The Chronicle of Philanthropy recently released an article featuring one of America’s Charities member charities, Feeding America, and pointed o While we encourage you to read the full article about Feeding America on The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s web site, any non-profit group can achieve similar levels of success if they are willing to learn from the following three concepts that we took away from reading the article.
#1: Successful Organizations Think Creatively
#2: Successful Organizations Put Great Ideas Into Action
#3: Successful Organizations Invest in Their Resources
Nonetheless, these times are more challenging than ever. Even though Ms. Escarra’s leadership has greatly influenced Feeding America’s success in recent years, Feeding America (like many non profit groups) is worried about how reduced government support will impact their organization in the coming year. We are living in a time when you pretty much HAVE to be creative and adapt just as Feeding America has done through Ms. Escarra’s leadership. Those organizations that act accordingly will persevere in the long term.
To read The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s full article about Feeding America, click here. |
Featured Charity: Feed The Children
Nov 30 2011 - 10:41am
"That means we get to eat tonight." That heartwarming, yet tragic statement is a reaction frequently heard from children who benefit from donations made to Feed The Children, America's Charities' December Featured Charity. In the following interview with Feed The Children, we are reminded that hunger never takes a holiday. As many of us set aside money this month to buy presents for family and friends, please consider setting aside just a little more money to provide what might be the most basic, yet best gift of all this holiday season: food.
What does your organization do and how are you different from other groups with similar missions? Feed The Children provides hope and resources for those without life’s essentials. We provide food and essentials, educational support and disaster relief to children and families who have been victimized by war, poverty, famine and natural disasters. What sets Feed The Children apart from other hunger relief organizations is our fleet of more than 50 semi tractor-trailer trucks that crisscross the nation on a daily basis providing help and hope to those who are hungry and hurting. We work through local partner agencies in each city who deal with the problem of hunger on a daily basis. They are experts in each community and help us to identify those who are most in need. Where is your organization located? Do you support the local community, all over the U.S., or internationally? Our headquarters are located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and we certainly do a great deal of work there, but we also work nationally and internationally. In addition to the headquarters, Feed The Children has distribution centers located in Ontario, CA, North Brunswick, NJ, Nashville, TN, Elkhart, IN and Houston, TX. Internationally, Feed The Children is active in a number of countries in Africa, Asia, The Philippines and Latin America. The need for help is greater than ever. How has your organization responded to the economic crisis? In response to the economic downturn in the U.S., Feed The Children established the Americans Feeding Americans Caravan, which identified cities from border to border and coast to coast that were hit hard by job losses, plant closings, foreclosures, high poverty rates and unemployment. Since embarking on the caravan in early 2009, Feed The Children has provided food and essentials to more than 310,000 families nationwide and we are already identifying locations to continue the caravan in 2012. Is there a time during the year when you need more help than usual? Of course, the holiday season is our busiest time of year, but the local agencies we work with across the nation will tell you that the greatest time of need is during the summer months when children are not in school and food pantry shelves are often empty. It is also a time when many people are not thinking of helping those in need as much as during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. Hunger never takes a holiday and that is why we continue to battle this growing problem 365 days a year. How can I help? Is there something your organization specifically needs help with right now? The best way to support our work is with a monetary donation and a $20 monthly gift will feed a hungry child. Cash donations help us deliver the food and essentials that provide a 25-pound box of food and a 10-pound box of essentials that support a family for up to a week. If I were to make a donation today, how much of an impact would that donation have? How does your organization put monetary donations to use? Do you have any examples or stories you could share? Your donation today would put a box of food and a box of essentials directly into the hands of a family in need. We use monetary donations to help transport that precious cargo to children and families in need all across America. And we also use them to help leverage our relationships with corporate partners to encourage them to donate more of their product to help those who are hungry and hurting. For every dollar our supporters provide, we can turn that into seven dollars of food and supplies through the efficiency of our delivery and distribution process and our model of working with local partner agencies. The individual donor is the final piece of the puzzle in getting relief to those who need it most. It is heartwarming and tragic at the same time to hear the reaction of a child when we provide a box of food at our distributions. They often ask their parents if there is food in the box and when they are assured that there is, they often say “That means we get to eat tonight.” What one thing do you wish more people knew about your organization’s work? That we do the bulk of our work in the United States. While Feed The Children has been active internationally for 32 years and provides 350,000 meals a day around the world, most of what we do is done right here in America. Wherever there is a need, Feed The Children strives to be there. Several retailers have teamed up with charities to support specific causes. What could a company (of any size) do to help your organization? Are there examples you can share about how companies currently are teaming up with your organization? Avon has been a partner every step of the way on our Americans Feeding Americans Caravan, providing boxes of their products to all families that receive assistance at our distributions. PepsiCo and their affiliates from Frito-Lay have also sponsored several stops on the caravan, providing product and volunteers at events. The best way a company can support our efforts is to donate product and make cash contributions to sponsor truck distributions. And their employees also get a chance to volunteer at the distributions to make an impact in their local communities. What makes your organization successful and what advice would you share with other charities out there? The dedication of our 250 plus employees is a major reason that we are able to fulfill our mission each day. They are at Feed The Children because of their desire to make a difference in the world they live in and to help the innocent victims caught in the crossfire of economic distress and poverty - the children. My advice to other charities is to always be true to your mission and believe in the work you do. That attitude is infectious and carries over to volunteers, advocates and all the people that are helped at our events. Do you have any current or upcoming special events? Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the holiday portion of our Americans Feeding Americans will reach more than 50,000 families nationwide in 18 states, providing help and hope to families who might otherwise have no food on the table.
Want to learn more about Feed The Children? Web Site: www.feedthechildren.org Phone: 800-627-4556 Mailing Address: Feed The Children, P.O. Box 36, Oklahoma City, OK 73137 CFC#: 10986 E-mail: ftc@feedthechildren.org
Follow Feed The Children on:
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Featured Charity: National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund
Feb 27 2012 - 12:19pm
Consistently challenging the status quo and pushing for innovation in breast cancer research and health care, this featured charity is quite different from other breast cancer organizations and has a plan to end breast cancer by 2020.
What does your organization do? Dedicated to ending breast cancer by 2020 through the power of grassroots action and advocacy, the National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund (NBCC) increases funding for breast cancer research; monitors how those funds are spent; expands access to quality health care for all; and ensures that trained advocates influence all decision making that impacts breast cancer. NBCC is quite different from other breast cancer organizations. We are about challenging the status quo, catalyzing research and science, leveraging existing resources and giving those diagnosed and those at risk of breast cancer the tools to make decisions for themselves. Our achievements range from generating $2.8 billion of federal funding for breast cancer research to creating a system of access to health care for uninsured women with breast and cervical cancer to launching international training programs in science and health care. What do you wish more people knew about your organization? Since its inception in 1991, NBCC has consistently challenged the status quo and pushed for innovation in breast cancer research and health care. It is time, once again, for the NBCC to launch a revolution in how we think about breast cancer and how to end the disease. NBCC has issued a call to action and a change from business as usual to bring our work to a new level with the launch of Breast Cancer Deadline 2020® – the end of breast cancer by January 1, 2020. In this global campaign to end breast cancer, NBCC brings a sense of urgency, tenacity, and focus that is the hallmark of everything we do. While the vast majority of resources are focused on finding the next treatment, NBCC is doing something very different. We are bringing together unprecedented collaborations among scientists, visionaries, and advocates to catalyze, plan and implement work in two major areas: how to prevent metastasis to save lives and how to prevent the disease from developing in the first instance. With this new campaign we are convening stakeholders to develop a global strategic plan with a focus on ending breast cancer by the end of the decade. What are some of your upcoming special events? May 5-8, 2012: Three-day Annual Advocate Summit The National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund's (NBCC) intensive three-day Annual Advocate Summit will be held May 5-8, 2012 in Crystal City, VA. The Summit features thought-provoking plenary sessions and interactive workshops. Attendees include men and women of all age groups representing a variety of educational levels united in a single mission: to end breast cancer. Where is your organization located? Our Annual Advocate Summit attracts individuals from every region of the country and internationally. Their applications reflect involvement in local breast cancer advocacy and support groups. After the Summit, they will return to their communities equipped to play a role in improving access to health care for all, increasing awareness of the importance of evidence based research from leading scientists, and information on the critical resources NBCC offers. Our headquarters is located in downtown Washington, DC. We have an extensive grassroots network of advocates whom are located across the country and around the world. How can I help? This year breast cancer advocates from around the country – and across the globe – will gather to demonstrate their support for Breast Cancer Deadline 2020® at the Annual Advocate Summit. Each breast cancer advocate will learn how he or she play a vital role in shifting the conversation to focus on ending breast cancer by January 1, 2020. Each year the NBCC Advocate Summit Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance to many advocates who wish to attend the Advocate Summit. Scholarship awards this year will be at a premium, so we will be more focused than ever on advocates who have a financial need and who will commit their advocacy efforts to Breast Cancer Deadline 2020®. To help meet the current needs for 2012 scholarships we need to raise $250,000. We ask you to support Breast Cancer Deadline 2020® and the 2012 Advocate Summit Scholarship Fund. How much of an impact will my donation have? Donations to the NBCC Scholarship Fund will support our advocates as they work to change the conversation in breast cancer.
How can my company help? We have many opportunities for companies of all sizes to partner with NBCC. We have several cause marketing partners that agree to donate a certain percentage or dollar amount from sales to support our programs and throughout the year. In addition to those partnerships, we have opportunities for businesses to volunteer at our events, donate in-kind gifts to our auctions or sponsor one of our national events. For information on these programs, interested companies should call the Development Department at 202-973-0589. Want to learn more about the National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund? Web Site: www.breastcancerdeadline2020.org Phone: 202-296-7477 Mailing Address: 1101 17th Street NW, Suite 1300, Washington DC 20036 CFC#: 12193 E-mail: info@breastcancerdeadline2020.org Follow the National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund on:
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Charity choice should be preserved; not condemned.
Jan 30 2012 - 4:20pm
These are the types of stories and big headlines that are currently appearing with increased frequency in the media and have drawn the attention of long-time commentator, Pablo Eisenberg (a senior fellow at the Georgetown Public Policy Institute and regular contributor to The Chronicle of Philanthropy), on philanthropy and social action. The Chronicle of Philanthropy recently posted an op-ed piece by Mr. Eisenberg titled, “Misplaced Giving Priorities of America’s Wealthy” where he questions the giving priorities and motivations of the hyper-wealthy and chastises the media for not being more skeptical and inquisitive. In questioning the giving style of the wealthy, Mr. Eisenberg specifically references recent headlines touting multi-billionaire David Rubenstein’s recent philanthropic contributions – a $4.5-million gift to help the National Zoo care for its pandas and more recently, a $7.5-million donation to restore the Washington Monument, which suffered serious damage as a result of an earthquake this past summer. In his article, Mr. Eisenberg states:
As you might expect, Mr. Eisenberg’s piece has generated a robust on-line discussion among those who concur with him and those who strongly disagree. If you subscribe to The Chronicle of Philanthropy, you should certainly take a moment to read the full article and weigh in on this subject matter. For many years, Mr. Eisenberg has been a strong and valued advocate for philanthropy and social justice, and as usual his most current piece certainly makes a number of valid points. However, it is important to understand that one of the most critical and enduring aspects of American philanthropy is that the donor should always have the right to choose where his or her contributions go. Mr. Eisenberg infers that donations contributed towards support of a zoo or to restore a national monument somehow carry less value than say supporting direct service human care organizations that are undeniably suffering from lack of support at a time when their services are most needed. On the surface it is hard to argue with that. However, there’s a degree of irony in Mr. Eisenberg’s argument because on many occasions he has also argued – quite eloquently – about the critical need to honor “choice” in individual giving. In looking through the many responses to Mr. Eisenberg’s article, a comment made by the Wildlife Alliance stood out:
Mr. Eisenberg has once again done what he does best – he has made us think about important issues, opportunities and challenges in the philanthropic world. However, the idea of chastising the wealthy for their choices regarding charitable giving or criticizing the media for their coverage of that giving seems counterproductive to me. As an old public relations guy I always try to follow the adage of creating awareness leads to understanding and then to support. The hyper-wealthy read. They are not above listening. If we do a better job of creating awareness of the kinds of needs that Mr. Eisenberg points to, then that will lead to greater understanding and financial support. That leads to my final point. Pointing fingers at the “media” is quite pointless and, frankly, a bit naïve. It’s not like the days when the New York Times or Washington Post, of the major network news shows dominated the ebb and flow of information. In today’s world there are so many media choices, channels and avenues that you can no longer blame the media. This blog is a perfect example. You can create your own media, your own awareness building efforts and you can do it by micro-targeting your audience - including the hyper-wealthy. At the end of the day, choice is a pillar of philanthropy. We have to honor and respect that people (and that includes those with enormous personal wealth) have a right to determine how they want to express their philanthropy.
To read Pablo Eisenberg’s complete op-ed piece on The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s web site, click here.
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families from drunk driving and underage drinking. With the help of those who want a safer future, MADD’s 
Any company can work with MADD through employee giving campaigns, our 
ing, mentoring and hope to LGBT individuals who are marginalized because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
our years they will be in school. So donations have an immediate impact in helping these students (many who also work while in school).
. More than 500 people attended the event benefiting Point Foundation. Playwright Edward Albee and global film company Focus Features received awards for being champions of the LGBT community. Click here to see pictures and read more about the event.
broader community in this work, to how we continuously improve upon our efforts – is driven by the goal of ensuring our Dreamers successfully enroll in and complete college. Ultimately, our aspiration is for Dreamers to go from being led to leading, and from being served to serving. 
for psychiatric care.
Ninety-two percent of the station’s annual operating budget comes from individual and corporate support, and any donation would be applied directly to the programs that are heard on-air.
WAMU 88.5 has a clear vision for programming, both on air and online, and a talented staff that works to execute that vision.
directly to benefit program participants.
Not only has tax season arrived, but we’re also in the midst of a fiery political battle between GOP candidates contending for the position of U.S. President.