Super Tuesday!

The start-up process involves significant anxiety about finances.  Every. Single. Day.  Occasionally, something good happens that provides us with some confidence moving forward.  Tuesday was, without doubt, the best day we have had in terms of our long-term financial strength.  As a small organization, it's always important to notice the small victories.  Tuesday brought four significant wins.

1) As mentioned previously, Gibbons P.C. held a "Jeans Day" on Friday, August 21st.  Employees at any of Gibbons' offices could pay $5 for the right to wear jeans.  Despite the fact that it's August, and we likely had many on vacation, Gibbons informed us that $670 was earned for Reach, Inc.  We greatly appreciate their efforts and look forward to collecting those funds.  

2) Also, Whole Foods has a strong community giving program.  We recently applied for one of their 5% days.  During these days, 5% of the store's profits are donated to a chosen charity.  When the store saw our application, they thought we might also be interested in a different form of giving (though this will not influence the decision about the 5% application).  From September through November, Reach, Inc. will be the beneficiary of "Nickels for Nonprofits."  For each reusable bag used, Whole Foods allows the customer to donate 5 cents to one of two charities.  Customers will have two choices, so if you shop at the P St. NW Whole Foods, then please give your nickels to Reach!

3) Additionally, foundation funding is shrinking as we speak.  Many foundations have announced that they will only give to organizations with which they already have a relationship.  Many foundations have also stopped accepting unsolicited proposals.  For a start-up organization, this is a significant issue.  Often, the only way to connect with a foundation is through a shared friend.  Through the help of Arash Jahanian, a friend of Reach, we have received our first invitation.  This fall, when Crowell & Moring send out their invitations to apply for grants, Reach, Inc. will be on the list.

4) Finally, the last post included an explanation of giving circles.  While young people often feel they can not create a significant impact with their dollars, combining forces in a giving circle provides an avenue for achieving a more significant impact.  On Tuesday, we started our first conversations with a representative interested in taking on this challenge.  Through Kate Sommers, a Reach friend, we are working to create a giving circle of alumni from Camp Geneva Glen.  Working with Kate, we hope to recruit many small donors.  In doing so, the group will be recognized collectively.  Reach, Inc. has recently created The Founder's Circle for those making donations of $1,000 or more.  We hope that, working with Kate, this group of Geneva Glen Alumni can enter the circle.

There are so many ways you can help Reach become a reality.  Please let us know if you're interested in being part of this exciting launch process!

Thanks, as always, for reading!

Mark

Founder and President - Reach, Inc.