Final report about The Giving Project
People, my socks have been knocked, right off my feet, by the abundance of you.
You already knew that my hope was to raise $5,000 for our collective fundraising effort for The Giving Project.
We surpassed that goal, and together we raised $21,080.45.
Let me say that one more time:
WE RAISED $21,080.45.
That is just over 400% of the original goal! (So, socks. Knocked.)
There were 23 of us participating in the Fall 2020 Giving Project Cohort, with all of us raising money within our circles of friends, colleagues, and family member.
Together we raised $238K.
Because of your efforts and the efforts of this collective, we were able to fund EVERY SINGLE ORGANIZATION that met our criteria, with money leftover to gift to the next Giving Project Cohort for their own fundraising efforts.
Part of being in The Giving Project is too honestly, actively, and thoughtfully practice abundance. One of the ways we do that is to set up the next Giving Project Team with a bundle of cash in their coffers. That happened for us when we started, so we are doing the same for this incoming group.
All of the organizations we funded are working, thoughtfully and diligently, to create sustainable and imaginative change within their communities. It is a beautiful thing to see the creation and building of systems that "uplifts both the individual and the collective through inherent dignity and strength", moving us ever closer "to our vision of liberation, connection, and abundance."
Here is a list of the organizations we funded, doing just that:
Multi-Year Grants $10,000
Atlantis ADAPT +
Supporting the right of people with disabilities to take control over their own lives with full and informed consent
Compañeros Four Corners Immigrant Resource Center *+
A grassroots nonprofit immigrant rights organization that strives to serve and empower immigrants in the rural Southwest through community organizing, education outreach, and bilingual direct assistance.
Conejos Clean Water *
Working to build public awareness and encourage advocacy and education around environmental, social, economic, and food justice issues in the Conejos Land Grant Region.
Creative Strategies for Change
Mobilizing arts and education for Social Justice
Denver Homeless Out Loud +
Exposing the root causes of homelessness and creating ways of living in which everyone has a safe place they can call home.
Four Corners Rainbow Youth Center *+
Building a safe, non-judgmental, anti-racist, visible space and community for Lesbian, Gay, Two Spirit, Transgender, Bisexual, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LG2TBQIA+) youth, families and allies in Southwest Colorado”.
Herbal Gardens Wellness *
To protect inherent rights of Indigenous and Native Populations including health and wellness, environmental preservation and research, and to build capacity for current and future Native and Indigenous generations.
Lamar Unidos *+
Lamar Unidos – a group of 7 immigrant women – was formed in 2015 to educate the community about how to obtain the prized DMV appointments for undocumented community members to get a driver’s licenses in the Southeast Region of Colorado.
Land Rights Council *+
To preserve the rights of the area’s citizens to have access to La Sierra.
Move Mountains Project *+
Seeking to amplify the voices of the Youth Leaders of San Luis because we identify the root causes of these needs as directly connected to the systematic oppression and dis-empowerment of Indigenous and Latina populations in America.
Established Grants $10,000
Another Life Foundation
To promote wellness, empowerment, and support to save lives and reduce suicidal behaviors by educating the public, raising awareness, providing support and advocating for health equity policies that affect people with mental illness.
Apprentice of Peace Youth Organization
Our mission is to empower students through whole-person development by incorporating leadership, arts, wellness, and skilled trades in all programs. Our vision is to create a world where students are resilient, self-sufficient, and socially responsible while leading their community.
Black Business Initiative
The Black Business Initiative is an economic development institution that is leading a revolution by creating and supporting holistic solutions to economic disparities.
Pine River Shares
A community-based leadership project that brings together the knowledge, skills and resources of people in the Pine River Valley to increase our collective power and bring about positive social change resulting in healthy, thriving Pine River Valley communities.
The Road Called STRATE
Improving the quality of life for underprivileged individuals and those who have been formerly incarcerated by challenging them to realize their maximum potential for success and to develop and prosper through education, training, and encouragement.
Una Mano, Una Esperanza
Una Mano, Una Esperanza is an organization that inspires the Latino community to navigate systems in the United States. We support victims of crime during and after trauma and come alongside them as they go through the process of finding justice.
Start Up Grants $4,000
IDEA Stages
We galvanize theater makers to take demonstrable action toward inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility.
SCD Enrichment Program
Recruiting and Supporting Students of Color in Accelerated Course Work.
* rural community focus
+ year 1 of a multi-year award
To receive this funding, all organizations listed above met these 3 criteria:
Constituent Led: Work is led by people most affected by the injustice. We believe that those most affected by injustice have the vision and solution for their own liberation.
Community Wide: Intersectionality. Work reflects all members of the constituency and community -- particularly those who experience multiple forms of oppression.
Lasting Effect: Work makes meaningful change for the community as a whole and for future generations (not just one individual in the immediate future).
Thank you to all who gave your time, money, and energy to this project:
Alina Holladay
Allison Blackeney
Barb Douma
Bethany Wall
Brooke Laura
Catherine Long Gates and Dennis Gates
Catey Rotkin
Clare Hammoor
Crystal Polis
Daniel Ziskin
Elia Seely
Elizabeth Crowe
Eve Pollak
Freddi Acora
Gabrielle Edison
Helen Turner
Janice Zelazo
Jenny Raybin
Joan Breummer
Joan Dieter Mazza
Johannah Franke
Julie Rada
Julie Rothschild
Joanna Rotkin
Jun Akiyama
Kate and John Kissingford
Kate Mikayan
Kim Nelson
Laura Brenton
Laurie Watkins
Libby Catchings
Linda Stonerock
Lucy Braham
Lyra Mayfield and Charlie Stein
Margaret Harris
Maren Waldman and Márcio de Sousa
Megan Christensen
Mikey Pudak
Miki Fire
Mimi Ferrie
Nancy Cranbourne
Nancy Smith
Natalie Drevets
Reanna Magruder
Sam Teets
Sarie Horowitz
Sharon Mansur
Tom Lewis
The impact of your giving is profound and long lasting
It has been humbling, also blossoming, to be part of this abundance with you.
With love,
Joanna