Many people think the word "non-profit" implies "free services".  This may be true for some nonprofits that receive government funds or private grants, but not all 501(c)(3) nonprofits are funded this way. For Aikido of San Luis Obispo, it truly takes a whole community to keep the dojo open from year to year.

Safe-SLO, which sponsors Aikido of San Luis Obispo, is a small volunteer-run nonprofit. Our Aikido programs are funded by a combination of student tuitions, dedicated volunteerism, and charitable contributions.The difference each year between dollars raised through tuitions and the actual cost of providing Aikido programs in our wonderful facility is at least $10,000. This is the amount we must raise each year to enter the next.

I know that you value the presence of Aikido of San Luis Obispo in our community, and I am asking you to participate in our fund drive this year. If you aren't able to make a personal donation, please volunteer an hour or so of your time to share your enthusiasm for our mission with a local business owner, a family member, or a friend who is in a position to make a year-end tax-deductible donation to a worthy recipient.

Your donation, or your hour of seeking other donors, added to the 2,000-plus volunteer hours donated by our dojo teachers and leaders, will make the difference that allows us to keep providing services in our wonderful training center in 2010.

Mary Tesoro
on behalf of Aikido
of San Luis Obispo