Michelle---I am taking the liberty to respond to your PND Talk message, combined with the email you sent to me off-line, which gave greater detail---information that you are already an accredited non-profit organization, thus able to solicit charitable contributions.We do care. Very much. But we do understand your frustration after so much hard work, and for the best of causes. Believe us, it’s not at all that some grantors are not interested in helping the families of our military, but as Julie explained so well, most foundations (and corporations) must necessarily give money according to exacting guidelines---and most often, geographically.
Here, in Cleveland, Ohio, we supported the families of Marines from our nearby Berea base. Foundations from, say, San Antonio, Texas would care just as much about our Berea Marines’ families, but you can understand they would prefer to give their money to needy military families based in San Antonio. So, that’s where you start, with any and all potential donors in the area of your operations. And with no luck so far from the state Senators, look to the Burlington district legislators for a chance to meet and to discuss your mission.
Use the Foundation Center’s foundation prospect resources and review each and every foundation for any leads with some promise. Your local library should be a good source of leads from the Foundation Center’s directory and perhaps from the state Attorney General’s office---and from other publications.
The Fighting Forces’ employers should be solicited. Your database of families served and to be served should have information regarding where the military men and women work.
As well, I have heard a bit about a “Military Family Investor Education Foundation." Maybe a long stretch to your needs, but nonetheless perhaps worth a review. I understand that it is a financial education program to improve the saving and investing knowledge of military service members and their families. It could very well fit into your mission to improve and better the lives of the families of our fighting forces.
---SaveAndInvest.org
http://www.saveandinvest.org/
Keep up the good fight. We’ll keep thinking about you.
Best wishes,
Tony Poderis
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