At our annual board retreat, in November 2007, we discussed an opportunity presented to us by the Maybelle Clark Macdonald fund. The opportunity was a potential challenge grant, and a new model of membership giving which we would call the Legacy Giving Circle. During that retreat, the board voted unanimously to support the initiative, by pledging 100% participation and enrolling as the first Legacy Circle members. They also fully accepted the challenge of soliciting other memberships. This approach yielded a total membership of 64 by the time the drive ended on December 15.
The overall impact on the agency has been tremendous. The board did great work in terms of stepping into leadership roles and soliciting enrollment from others. The staff also jumped on board and supported the drive with five memberships. In total, the drive yielded 64 enrolled members in its inaugural year, including 13 board members and 5 staff members. This went well beyond our modest expectations and gave us a great sense of confidence for subsequent fundraising. If our message is compelling, people respond. The challenge grant from the Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund added to the compelling nature of our message.
The opportunity was so compelling (particularly for board members, whose gifts were matched 2:1) that the short time frame did not prove problematic. It was the first time in recent history that the board had committed at that level both in terms of financial commitment and participation.
We have been caring for our city’s most precious assets—children—for over 100 years. Parents who work or go to school full-time face the age-old dilemma of finding quality care for their children during the day. We are considered co-parents for many families, some of whom live on the edge of financial and social instability. Scholarship funds are available because of the generosity of organizations such as the Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund. When we offer scholarship assistance to a child, we understand the commitment we are making to their family: to provide a safe, stable and stimulating environment until that child is ready for kindergarten. The Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund (through the Legacy Giving Circle membership challenge) is our partner in creating this environment for these at-risk families.
~Kathleen Buckley
Director of Development, Fruit & Flower Child Care Center