Notes from NAC’s Development Department:

For the purposes of this blog post I thought I would give you all a glimpse into the world of nonprofit fundraising...

Nonprofit organizations depend largely on public funds – government contracts, grants from foundations, corporate gifts and individual donors. The more diverse an organization’s funding base the better, because it can be dangerous to rely too heavily on one source of income. Many nonprofits experienced this firsthand during the recent recession because government funding, foundation giving and corporate support took major hits.

Contrary to what you may think, individual donors are the largest source of funding for nonprofits, comprising about 70% of the sector’s nearly $300 billion worth of contributions! Individual donors also prove to be the most loyal, since they continue to give even during tough economic times. That shows how important it is for nonprofits to connect with individuals like you!

So, while I still spend much of my time writing grants to local foundations and while we still hold our government contracts in high regard, it’s also important to share our story with individual donors in a powerful way.

I encourage you to learn more about the National Adoption Center’s story by perusing our website; get to know the children we serve, the families we have created and the work that has yet to be done for the nearly 110,000 youth across the U.S. who are waiting for the love and stability of a family.

P.S. – you can become part of our story by making a gift today!

Outstanding Nonprofit of the Year for 2011

The National Adoption Center was just named the Outstanding Nonprofit of the Year for 2011 by the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.  When I heard about the award, my mind shot back 38 years when the Adoption Center was just a dream.  We didn’t know then whether anyone would want to adopt a child with Down syndrome or cystic fibrosis or a family of four brothers who needed a home together. Happily, the dream became a reality and we have helped create families for more than 22,000 children in the country. Not one was a healthy baby. We’ve come a long way—from a wooden recipe box on someone’s kitchen table with sections for children, for potential families and for “matches”-- to the technology- based processes we now have to bring children and families together… and give them the personal service that can usher them through their adoption journey.  Our experience tells us that our vision and imagination must continue to propel us, that we must pursue our mission to demonstrate that “there are no unwanted children…just unfound parents.”  We count on everyone interested in the welfare of children to help us make a difference in the lives of the children who count on us.    

We Need Your Help

We need your help, please! Adoption Center of Delaware Valley needs donation contributions for our upcoming Match Parties as gifts for attending children who are still searching for their forever family. We will have about 130 children from ages ranging from 8-18. We need items to include in a gift bag for each child. Items can include anything from summer items (beach towels, hats, sunblock lotion, etc.), school supplies (books, pens, folders, etc.), gift cards (food, clothes, accessories, VISA, etc.), tickets (amusement park, movie theater, sports game, etc). Monetary donations are also welcomed.

In existence since 1972, the Adoption Center of Delaware Valley expands adoption opportunities for children living in foster care throughout the Delaware Valley (Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Delaware), and is a resource to families and agencies who seek the permanency of caring homes for children. The Center has helped find families for more than 21,000 children. Our annual matching events bring waiting children and youth together with prospective adoptive families for a fun-filled day of guided interactions which serve as a catalyst in the cultivation of permanent life-long connections.

Please contact Sheina Martinez, Adoption Coordinator for any items you can provide at 215-735-9988 ext 311 or smartinez@adopt.org. Any donations are tax deductible!

Blogging for Nonprofits

Last night I had the pleasure in attending a workshop on using blogs to help nonprofits succeed. This event was organized by Philly NetSquared. It was a fun and exciting night. You'll see many of the tips I learned last night come into being here. Going forward, we are going to continue working together as a nonprofit community to help all of us reach the next level in our work.

Some changes that will be coming immediately are: We'll bring more of the stories from the field, so you can see what we do on a daily basis to help children and youths find permanent homes. And we'll be including lot's more pictures and links. If you have any tips or ideas for topics you'd like to see us cover, leave a comment.

Remember to visit our home on the web: www.adopt.org