Do you know the number reason people do not give to others? No one asks them. Plain and simple - no one asks them. Even though I am in the business of asking others to give, I have never felt very comfortable with the word and concept of "giving". Sounds too much like nothing is required other than forking something over. I prefer to think of it as offering an opportunity - an opportunity to support, an opportunity to achieve, an opportunity to make a difference.
Every day I am humbled by the way people make it possible for LIFT to achieve the goal of teaching adults to read for free. I am always amazed at the way people step up and literally put their money and their time where their mouths are.
Yesterday was the launch of DonorBridge, a new resource for non profit supporters in North Texas. Our supporters and partners were all abuzz about the possibility of LIFT receiving matching funds. When the site was launched at 12:01 a.m. several supporters went online to make their donation and as the day progressed, LIFT friends called to tell me they were making their donations on line. A college friend who lives in Florida e-mailed that she had made a donation. Before 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, LIFT partners were calling me asking if I knew how much in matching funds we might be receiving. DonorBridge generated excitement for LIFT, excitement that is needed in these, shall we say, challenging economic times. People were excited to be part of something. Those of us who stayed up late (and for me, midnight is really late - I am typically asleep even before the evening news broadcast) were attending our own little on line party, complete with texts and phone calls to keep up with our progress.
Several of our donors made DonorBridge gifts to LIFT in addition to their regular, yearly gifts. And all we had to do was ASK! We sent out two e-mails, a postcard mailing and included information in our newsletter. But what probably was the most effective tool was the fact that we shared information about Dallas Giving Day one on one with our volunteers and supporters. We talked to each personally about how the program would work and how they could make a difference. Many of those supporters then forwarded the e-mail to their friends and in the world of six degrees of separation, those friends forwarded it on to other friends. LIFT went viral. In addition to garnering us new donors, DonorBridge gave us the opportunity to remind people why LIFT is here and why the work we do matters.
Goes to show that all you have to do is ask. And you just might be surprised.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
DonorBridge is Coming
DonorBridge is a new online resource for non profit supporters in North Texas. Information on area non profits, including LIFT, will be available to supporters at www.donorbridgetx.org. Sort of like a clearinghouse where you can find tax returns, programs, budgets, staffing - anything you might want to know about your favorite non profit or a non profit you might be interested in funding.
In honor of the launch of this new resource, on May 20th, any donations made to your favorite non profit (which I hope is LIFT) online at www.donorbridgetx.org can be matched dollar for dollar. You want to get your gift in early though - only $200,000 is available for matching funds and with 400 are non profits all vying for this money, it will go early.
In these tough economic times, area non profits have seen funding fall dramatically at a time when more and more people are asking for services. LIFT is no exception. We have seen foundations who have funded us for years unable to fund this year due to a decline in the value of their investments. At the same time LIFT logged over 1,000 phone calls in a two week period in January from people wanting information on our classes.
Even though all LIFT classes are taught by dedicated and fabulous volunteers, it takes money to run these programs. With 8,500 adult learners in a year, the majority of whom ask for homework, you can imagine the amount of paper we run through alone. Then of course you can't have class in the dark - we have to pay the light bill. Not all students can afford a textbook - those are $20. Many of our adult learners cannot afford a bus pass to get to class. If $2 towards a bus pass is all that stands in the way of getting someone to class, then LIFT is going to make that happen.
If you only make one gift to LIFT this year, make it May 20th at www.donorbridgetx.org and double your impact.
In honor of the launch of this new resource, on May 20th, any donations made to your favorite non profit (which I hope is LIFT) online at www.donorbridgetx.org can be matched dollar for dollar. You want to get your gift in early though - only $200,000 is available for matching funds and with 400 are non profits all vying for this money, it will go early.
In these tough economic times, area non profits have seen funding fall dramatically at a time when more and more people are asking for services. LIFT is no exception. We have seen foundations who have funded us for years unable to fund this year due to a decline in the value of their investments. At the same time LIFT logged over 1,000 phone calls in a two week period in January from people wanting information on our classes.
Even though all LIFT classes are taught by dedicated and fabulous volunteers, it takes money to run these programs. With 8,500 adult learners in a year, the majority of whom ask for homework, you can imagine the amount of paper we run through alone. Then of course you can't have class in the dark - we have to pay the light bill. Not all students can afford a textbook - those are $20. Many of our adult learners cannot afford a bus pass to get to class. If $2 towards a bus pass is all that stands in the way of getting someone to class, then LIFT is going to make that happen.
If you only make one gift to LIFT this year, make it May 20th at www.donorbridgetx.org and double your impact.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
All Things LIFT
I realized my last post was April 27th - time has a way of getting away from you, especially when things are hopping like they are at LIFT. Today's posting is a conglomeration of all things LIFT.
Tomorrow we have the 3rd Annual Adult Spelling Bee. Corporate teams compete to see who will be named the Stellar Spellers. This year we have nine teams competing. It is a fun event.
May 20th is a very big day for LIFT - that is the launch of DonorBridge, a new online resource for non profit supporters in North Texas. In honor of the occasion, the Dallas Foundation and the Communities Foundation of Texas are matching dollar for dollar, donations made to LIFT on that day at the DonorBridge website, www.donorbridgetx.org. This matching program will be a long needed lifeline for the 400 area non profits who are part of DonorBridge. We all have the opportunity to double our gifts - that is a much better rate of return than the stock market, plus donors know they are truly helping someone make a permanent fix by learning to read. So, I encourage each and every one of you to log on to www.donorbridgetx.org on May 20th and make your gift or call me, give me your credit card information and I will log it for you. My number at the office is 214.824.2000, ext 230.
Tomorrow we have the 3rd Annual Adult Spelling Bee. Corporate teams compete to see who will be named the Stellar Spellers. This year we have nine teams competing. It is a fun event.
May 20th is a very big day for LIFT - that is the launch of DonorBridge, a new online resource for non profit supporters in North Texas. In honor of the occasion, the Dallas Foundation and the Communities Foundation of Texas are matching dollar for dollar, donations made to LIFT on that day at the DonorBridge website, www.donorbridgetx.org. This matching program will be a long needed lifeline for the 400 area non profits who are part of DonorBridge. We all have the opportunity to double our gifts - that is a much better rate of return than the stock market, plus donors know they are truly helping someone make a permanent fix by learning to read. So, I encourage each and every one of you to log on to www.donorbridgetx.org on May 20th and make your gift or call me, give me your credit card information and I will log it for you. My number at the office is 214.824.2000, ext 230.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Another LIFT Adult Learner Earns GED
LIFT's fabulous programming staff brought to my attention last week that another LIFT adult learner has earned her GED. Since LIFT launched GED Direct in July 2008, we have seen a 12% increase in the number of adult learners who come to use for the upper level (translates to GED preparation) classes. This shows us that GED Direct, an on line interactive GED preparation class geared to lower level adult readers (those who read at the 5th grade level) is just what adult learners are looking for.
LIFT partnered with Aztec Software to develop the software and GED Direct is the only program of its kind in the United States. Other GED prep courses are geared to the adult learner who reads at the 9th grade level. Our adult learners tell us they love the program - most of them leave class here and continue their studies at home for several hours.
At the present time, LIFT offers GED Direct for free to 13 partner agencies and like all our other classes, there is no charge to the adult learner.
Kind of exciting to be on the front lines with new technology that is improving the lives of so many North Texans.
LIFT partnered with Aztec Software to develop the software and GED Direct is the only program of its kind in the United States. Other GED prep courses are geared to the adult learner who reads at the 9th grade level. Our adult learners tell us they love the program - most of them leave class here and continue their studies at home for several hours.
At the present time, LIFT offers GED Direct for free to 13 partner agencies and like all our other classes, there is no charge to the adult learner.
Kind of exciting to be on the front lines with new technology that is improving the lives of so many North Texans.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Full of Possibilities
The last couple of days have been absolutely glorious, weather wise, here in North Texas. In spite of the economic downturns we have all been facing, it is easy to forget them for a moment and just enjoy the sunshine and clear skies.
That spirit of possibility bleeds over into the workplace. I am not going to gloss over the current fundraising environment - things are tough for non profits and LIFT is not exempt. Rather than dwell on what we don't have, I am choosing to view this time as the opportunity to discover new funding sources.
And I see hope when I come to work. I see hope on the faces of our adult learners as they wait every morning for the doors to open. I see hope in their posture when they realize "hey - I CAN do this. I CAN learn." I see hope when our oldest student has decided at the age of 76 that she can learn to read. I see hope when our adult learners go on to earn their GED and then enroll in college. I see hope when one of our adult learners tells me he and his granddaughter do their reading homework together and help each other.
Instead of dwelling on what is not, let's dwell on what is and the positive impact LIFT has on its adult learners. These are people who are choosing to enhance their lives and the lives of their families. They are becoming literate and a whole new world of opportunities await them.
That spirit of possibility bleeds over into the workplace. I am not going to gloss over the current fundraising environment - things are tough for non profits and LIFT is not exempt. Rather than dwell on what we don't have, I am choosing to view this time as the opportunity to discover new funding sources.
And I see hope when I come to work. I see hope on the faces of our adult learners as they wait every morning for the doors to open. I see hope in their posture when they realize "hey - I CAN do this. I CAN learn." I see hope when our oldest student has decided at the age of 76 that she can learn to read. I see hope when our adult learners go on to earn their GED and then enroll in college. I see hope when one of our adult learners tells me he and his granddaughter do their reading homework together and help each other.
Instead of dwelling on what is not, let's dwell on what is and the positive impact LIFT has on its adult learners. These are people who are choosing to enhance their lives and the lives of their families. They are becoming literate and a whole new world of opportunities await them.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Double Gifts to LIFT
On May 20th, you will have the opportunity to double the gift you make to LIFT. On that day, DonorBridge, an on line resource for donors, will launch and to celebrate, Communities Foundation of Texas and The Dallas Foundation, have established the first-ever Dallas Giving Day and will match, dollar-for-dollar, donations given through the DonorBridge website (www.donorbridgetx.org). These two foundations have earmarked $200,000 to be used for the matching funds, so you want to make your gift early in the day before the matching money runs out.
Non profits that offer services to people (food, shelter, clothing, education) have seen at least a 30% increase in requests for services while at the same time donations are drastically down. That is why Dallas Giving Day is such an important event. A $25 gift becomes a $50 gift when made through www.donorbridgetx.org.
Only a couple of caveats apply:
$25 minimum gift
Must be made through the DonorBridge website at www.donorbridgetx.org
Maximum matching contribution per individual is $2,500 (but you can donate
as much as you want.)
Matching dollars only available as long as they last on May 20th.
So, donate early, donate often and double your gift to LIFT
Non profits that offer services to people (food, shelter, clothing, education) have seen at least a 30% increase in requests for services while at the same time donations are drastically down. That is why Dallas Giving Day is such an important event. A $25 gift becomes a $50 gift when made through www.donorbridgetx.org.
Only a couple of caveats apply:
$25 minimum gift
Must be made through the DonorBridge website at www.donorbridgetx.org
Maximum matching contribution per individual is $2,500 (but you can donate
as much as you want.)
Matching dollars only available as long as they last on May 20th.
So, donate early, donate often and double your gift to LIFT
Thursday, April 16, 2009
LIFT Has Visitors
This morning at LIFT had some very distinguished visitors, the President of El Centro Community College, Paul McCarthy and Dallas City Council Member Sheffie Kadane. President McCarthy and Councilman Kadane were joined by Sandra McCarthy and Patricia Weidemier for a breakfast meeting and facts about LIFT. We thank all our guests for taking time out of their busy schedules to learn more about LIFT and we appreciate their commitment to helping LIFT raise adult literacy rates in Texas.
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