I Broke the Law - So I Could Remain a Donor
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Almost 18 years ago, I sat in my hospital bed wiping away my tears. I was depressed and angry at a time when I should have felt on top of the world. Next to me was my brand new infant, a girl finally, swaddled tightly in a pink fuzzy blanket.
Just a few days prior to becoming a new mother for the third time, my husband had filed Chapter 13 bankruptcy. It was devastating and humiliating. We agreed to pay our debtors as required; however, there was more of an emotional cost than the money we owed.
You see, in our case as with most others, in order to qualify for the bankruptcy, we had to disclose how much money we were previously spending. We felt like our privacy was being invaded. Well, of course, it was. As we say now, "As long as you owe, you are owned."
Among other personal expenses, we had to inform "the Court" of the appraised costs of our wedding rings, how much we spent on date nights each month , how much we spent on air conditioning in July in sunny Southern California, and how much we gave to charity.
Eventually, we received our bankruptcy approval. We felt like we were in prison, for sure. The agreement spelled out that half of our income was to be garnished each month, for a time. We were informed that according to this legally binding agreement, we were no longer allowed to donate 10% of our income to charity as we had always done in the past. The concept was that every penny we were not spending on our basic needs was required to go toward paying our debtors off sooner.
Oh how I despised being controlled! I refused to play along. So I figured out a way to continue in our charitable ways and yet, truly obey the tenant of only having what we needed, with no money to spare.
In my hospital bed, the day my daughter was born, I filled out my first request to receive my family's sustenance from our local church food pantry. This I did, because I knew that it would allow us to have diapers, food and drink provided at no cost, while I maintained my right to give to causes greater than myself.
Are you, too, stuck? Do you have nothing to give? Perhaps there is something you can do today so you can support a local child who is at risk for seeking drug dealers to be his mentors? This is another one of my stories I'll share with you one day.
But for now, please find a way to make a donation on the Charitable Causes Forum at: http://www.grantmatrix.com/forum/3. Leave a comment that you did so. It's the best feeling in the world!
An excerpt from Andria's Blog under the Impact Grantmaking tab at: www.grantmatrix.com.
Please share this newsletter to increase donations!
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ORGANIZATIONS COVERING MULTIPLE COUNTIES
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EarthShare Oregon - Outreach Programs
Support for outreach programs into the workplace to engage employees in environmental events and "green teams". Goal: $3,000 Read More
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Reality Kitchen Nonprofit - Food Cart for NeedyReality Kitchen student-clients will learn employment and food service skills. They will feed the homeless from the food cart every Sunday in Eugene. Goal: $30,844 Read More
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Pearl Buck Center
Program/Operating Support
Current focus is on program's quality, efficiency, sustainability, and remaining a valuable community resource for people affected by developmental disabilities. Need general program support rather than restricted funds to allow us the flexibility to adapt quickly, and to allocate support to the areas of greatest need.
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Sponsors, Inc. - RISE program
Seeks funding for their program which reunites an individual with their family when released from a correctional institution. Goal: $10,000
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Parenting Now! Challenge Grant
Quest Foundation has issued a matching challenge grant for $40,000, for Parenting Now!'s parent education programs. Goal: $40,000 Read More
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Upstart Crow Studios - Scholarship Funds
Seeks funding to assist children in experiencing the performing arts, which increase communication, cognitive and motor skills.
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Huerto de la Familia
There is a need for Latino immigrants to have a long-term solution to food security. Seeking funding for their Organic Garden Education Program. Impact 60 families and 260 children. Goal: $6,000
Read More
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Eugene Public Library Foundation
The Homework Center & Live Homework Help
Need funding for the Homework Center programs serving students from 4J and Bethel school districts. In 2012, over 6,600 students received help. Goal: $40,000 Read More
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The Trauma Healing Project - Services to Traumatized Individuals
Need funding for trauma sensitive body-based therapies in a safe environment for people who have experienced emotional trauma and are making efforts to heal. Goal: $20,000 Read More
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WellMama - Grant WriterSeeks support to hire a part-time Grant Writer to help increase funding for their clients who experience pregnancy and postpartum depression and anxiety issues.
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Cascade Raptor Center
Funding for Flight Arena to enhance educational offerings in response to community demand. Goal: $145,000 Read More
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Willamette Farm & Food Coalition
Educational Programs
Funding for the Farm to School and Family Outreach educational program to improve students and their families nutrition and health. Goal: $30,000 Read More
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West Coast Dog and Cat Rescue - Spay and Neuter Funding
Funding is needed for spay and neuter surgeries, which all of our cats undergo prior to adoption. Goal: $3,000 Read More
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Cobb Children's Learning Center
Child Care Furnishings
CCLC provides childcare for low-income families and/or women going through the Crossroad's residential drug/alcohol treatment. CCLC is the only childcare provider in Douglas County offering care to families where parents are in the six-month long residential treatment program. Need funds for toddler tables, shelving, easels and mirrors. Goal: $5,200 Read More
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The Register Guard and United Way of Lane County are requesting volunteer of the month nominations.
Your volunteers deserve the honor and praise of being recognized--here is the form to fill out! PDF of Form
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Introducing the NEW Charitable Causes Forum!
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The following will explain what you need to know to get started at: http://www.grantmatrix.com/forum/3.
The Charitable Causes Forum Etiquette
Let's keep our forum positive by favoring collaboration over competition. We all know there are plenty of resources to go around. The Charitable Causes Forum provides us with a new way of connecting with donors, volunteers, and each other. Let's help each other out and let all the good karma swirl around and help us reach our funding goals.
How to Submit a Nonprofit for The Charitable Causes Forum
Our outreach for you becomes tangible to thousands of people every week through: our Facebook pages at Impact Grantmaking and Grant Matrix at: https://www.facebook.com/GrantMatrix, Twitter: @GrantMatrix, weekly newsletters to potential donors, and an interactive forum right here for you, your staff, volunteers, and donors to comment on and help build momentum toward reaching your financial goals!
To Submit a Proposal to be posted on The Charitable Causes Forum:
Make your proposal sing! Edit for overall appearance, readability, and emotional impact. Keep it very brief - no more than two pages. You are encouraged to use your letterhead with your logo to help with your branding. One photo in your document is okay.
Submit all of the following required information, in PDF format, to: andria@grantmatrix.com.
Basic Information (Please use your letterhead)
Name of Nonprofit Organization
Address
City, State, Zip and County
Telephone
Website
Executive Director
Email Address
For first-time clients, please submit your:
Organizational Profile
A copy of your IRS 501(c)3 Nonprofit status form
A list of your Board Members
The first two pages of your most recent 990 Tax Return
* We require annual updates and will notify you when appropriate.
* We will vet your proposal and if we have questions about the information or finances, we will contact you by phone or email to clarify.
Please include the following information in your proposal, in this order:
1. Your organization's mission and what geographic areas you cover;
2. A summary or story about your community's need for this proposal to be funded;
3. What will change if this proposal is funded;
4. The project/program budget;
5. Your fundraising strategy;
6. The overall services your organization provides to your community.
Good luck! We'll be working for YOU!
$25/indicated month OR $250 for 12 months!
Please make your payment by credit/debit card at: http://impactgrantmaking.com/submit-a-proposal/.
OR, send a check to:
Grant Matrix-Impact Grantmaking
4257 Barger Drive, #112
Eugene, OR 97402
Vetting the Proposals
At Grant Matrix/Impact Grantmaking, we do everything we can to vet each organization and proposal. We confirm that their status as an IRS designated 501(c) (3) is current, that they are led by a board of directors, and we review their 990 tax return. After the submission is vetted, we post the name of the organization, a phrase about the project and the amount requested. When you click on a proposal, you will be taken to a page with the full proposal in PDF format so that you can review the entire project and budget.
How to Promote Your Nonprofit on the Charitable Causes Forum
Step 1: Go to the following link and submit a proposal: http://www.grantmatrix.com/node/37.
Step 2: Choose to pay $25/month or $250 for the year at the previous link.
Step 3: Invite your donors to go to the forum and make comments about why they donate to your charity and why they think other people should, too.
Step 4: Invite clients to go to the forum and share their story about how your work changed their lives and why they wish a person would become a new donor for your cause.
Step 5: Post a short story and pictures about what you did TODAY to impact our community. SHOW them what you DO to make the world a better place. Personalize it and make them feel emotionally attached.
Final Step: Please let me know when you become connected with a new donor via Grant Matrix/Impact Grantmaking. There will be special privileges available for your donors on our site, including a private, donors only forum called Giving Circles.
Andria Peterson
Grant Matrix/Impact Grantmaking, Owner
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H.A.R.T. Family Resource Center
To offer students a Friday Program during the school-year as the Harrisburg School District is only a 4-day school week. Goal: $6,230 Read More
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Boys & Girls Club of the Greater Santiam (Lebanon and Sweet Home)- Summer Adventures
The B&G Club seeks funds to provide an enhanced summer program for East Linn County children. The Summer Adventure is designed to engage elementary age children in fun, educational, well-supervised activities that they might not otherwise experience due to lack of affordable care options suitable for this age range, summer learning loss, lack of family resources to pay for "summer fun activities. Goal: $52,786
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St. Vincent de Paul - La Pine
Food Drive Campaign
Funding needed to develop and implement neighborhood food drives with other local social service agencies.
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NOVEMBER FUNDRAISING EVENTS
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November
November 2, Upstart Crow Studios - Casino Royale, 7:00 p.m. - 11:00 P.m. Event complete with casino and floor show on October 11th. Dress the part of the Monte Carlo set or the Caribbean pirates, enjoy casino games, good food and a floor show to benefit the youth theatre program at Upstart Crow Studios.
November 8 - Boys and Girls Club of Greater Santiam - Fall Auction - Touch Down for Kids - Sweet Home Details at www.bgcgreatersantiam.org Proceeds benefit critical programs and services for kids in East Linn County
November 9th - Lane County Historical Society and Museum from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., "Celebrating the Gettysburg Address," at the Shedd Institute on 868 High Street, Eugene. Fundraiser for Lane County Historical Society and Museum. Banquet and program (Actor Steven Holgate as Lincoln). Period music. www.lanecountyhistoricalsociety.org
November 15th, - Greenhill Humane Society - Art for Animals, a pawsitively purrrfect evening! 7:00 p.m. Event at the LCC Downtown campus, 101 W. 10th Avenue, Eugene. Silent auction of wonderful art, hors d'oeuvres and wine tasting to benefit the animals served at Greenhill. www.green-hill.org
November 16th - Trillium's Children's Farm Home - Christmas Craft Fair, Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Door Prizes and Grand Prize, for newly renovated Old School. Contact: gfrisk@trilliumfamily.org
Old Mill Center - Corvallis - November 22nd 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and November 23rd 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m; Come take a photo with Santa for a great gift for your loved ones! Contact Jerilyn Opoien at Old Mill Center to schedule your time! 541-757-8068. www.oldmillcenter.org
November 22nd - Festival of Trees - Gala & Auction - Corvallis doors open at 5:30 p.m. and at 8:00 p.m. stay for the live auction at the Corvallis Country Club. Come bid on beautifully decorated trees, wreaths, table top trees and centerpieces for your holiday decor. For registration and tickets for dinner, go to: www.communityoutreachinc.orgÂ
November 27th through December 1st - Festival of Trees - Lane County is a premier holiday event held Thanksgiving week at the Valley River Inn. It has become a holiday tradition in many Lane County homes. Scheduled over six days, it attracts approximately 18,000 people every year. More than 50 themed trees, 150 wreaths, 500 stockings, 75 gift baskets and many gingerbread houses, complete this holiday display. All items are for sale, with the proceeds going to support the building of the Pete Moore Hospice House. Please consider making a difference in this community by donating or volunteering for the Festival of Trees. If you are interested please call 228-3040.
HAVE AN EVENT YOU WOULD LIKE POSTED? It's FREE, simply email to: jdurand@impactgrantmaking.com
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