17 February 2006
Dear Friends and Supporters of All Our Children First
I am attempting to assist Glenda to develop a plan to secure the funding necessary to sustain her existing operations and services rendered by ALL OUR CHILDREN FIRST.
As you all know, Glenda has provided a range of services to children over the past years. She is currently renting a property to further serve the community and to create structure and space in which to develop a Resource Centre which is vital to the work already being done and to the Organisations growth. If this vision and other envisaged projects are to be realized, the solid organizational base which has been established urgently needs the inclusion of a Fund Raising team.
Each of us believes in Glenda and we hope to see the work of ALL OUR CHILDREN FIRST flourish and grow. Each one of you has shown this commitment by making financial contributions either on a regular or an occasional basis to support this work. Given that we share a common concern for children and the work done by ALL OUR CHILDREN FIRST, I believe that it is important that I share the following information with you. Glenda has pursued her objectives with remarkable fortitude and commitment but, , I am concerned that Glenda’s health and ALL OUR CHILDREN FIRST’s continued existence may be compromised in the absence of adequate funds.
The reason is not that ALL OUR CHILDREN FIRST has fulfilled its mandate and that no further children are in need of our services, but rather, that the extent of need has increased and Glenda’s efforts to meet these needs have outstripped her available resources and current levels of financial support. Put differently, Glenda, for a number of years now, has continued to meet the needs of children notwithstanding the fact that she has not received the level of support necessary to cover the costs associated with her activities. I need to inform you that Glenda has drawn no income in terms of a salary from ALL OUR CHILDREN FIRST since its inception. On the contrary, she has covered any shortfall against monthly costs from her personal credit line.
Glenda realized some time ago that this was an untenable situation. She realized that ALL OUR CHILDREN FIRST needed to access additional resources (material, human and financial) in a sustainable and regular fashion if it were to survive. Consequently, she utilized a generous gift from a personal friend to establish the Resource Centre for ALL OUR CHILDREN FIRST. The Resource Centre has been remarkably successful to date in accessing and channeling material resources from the Edenvale Community to the point of need. It has also made an impact by diminishing costs associated with the purchase of as much food. But the increase in financial donations that is necessary has not been sought and. the overall running costs of ALL OUR CHILDREN FIRST have increased..
I have realized during this time , that ALL OUR CHILDREN FIRST is not an in substantive organization. It operates from three properties, and it runs a number of programmes benefiting many children in need. But it also has a vision for growth and these intended services are vital. (Please see the attached Overview of Services).
In a good month, the balance of R13,500.00 might be covered by financial donations from members of the community. However, most often, this is not the case and Glenda has accessed the funds personally.. Although it may be obvious to many of us who operate from a purely business perspective, that this is poor practice, Glenda has been motivated by her concern for children and has managed to sustain the operations of ALL OUR CHILDREN FIRST on this basis for some years now with the Children as priority ,giving her neither time or passion for what she terms, “that boodle thing!!!”
Glenda’s personal resources have now been exhausted.
During this time, she has requested support in the form of goods, food, materials and skills, but she has found it extremely difficult at a personal level, to make direct requests for financial assistance, leaving it to “Providence” and praying that the community will support her efforts. Although I admire her faith, I have convinced her that this in not the basis on which to develop and run a sustainable programme. We need faith but we also need to plan effectively. It is no longer feasible to move from month to month without a plan to secure the income necessary to cover the R13 500 shortfall.
Consequently, I have suggested a two-pronged approach to secure the financial sustainability of ALL OUR CHILDREN FIRST.
1.
Short term need.
I have resolved to write this letter to you, her supporters, to inform you of the immediate financial needs of ALL OUR CHILDREN FIRST and to ask you to “CHAMPION” the cause wherever you feel financial support could be accessed URGENTLY.
If we desire the RESOURCE CENTRE and its potential opportunities to continue in Edenvale, this first hurdle will need to be overcome.
2. Longer Term Financial Plan to secure sustainability.
It is necessary for ALL OUR CHILDREN FIRST to submit formal funding proposals to corporate and other potential funders to secure the necessary income to cover these basic running costs of the organization. Corporate funders, may be willing to contribute to these costs if our programmes align with their areas of focus. However, it would also be wise for us to campaign to increase the percentage income from recurring monthly donations (as many of you currently do) from members of the community.
Although Glenda has suggested to me that I need to maintain some humour (we all know Glenda!), a cold evaluation of the facts concerns me. If ALL OUR CHILDREN FIRST is to continue and grow.
I trust that the direct nature of this communication will not offend anyone,
If you are willing and able to communicate to possible supporters at this juncture, this would be greatly appreciated by Glenda. However, if you would like further information and clarity, or you have any ideas on how we might access additional financial support, may I invite you to contact Glenda at the Resource Centre, 55 Voortrekker Road, Edenvale, Telephone No. 011 453 1539 or 0829722777 . A meeting of all interested parties will take place at the Centre on March 1st.at 2.00p.m. as this is a Public Holiday.
Yours faithfully
L. Lamour. Secretary and Board Member ALL OUR CHILDREN FIRST
