Mission: |
Based in the belief that homelessness is
solvable, Give Us Your Poor aims to create
a revolution in public will towards understanding
and acting to solve homelessness. |
Achievements
& Goals: |
Launched
in 1999 by John McGah at UMass Boston's Center
for Social Policy, the organization hopes to
dispel myths about homelessness, explore structural
causes, and demonstrate that solutions do exist
with the widest possible audience to stimulate
action through a documentary for national television,
classroom curriculum, and community action forums.
Achievements include the assembly of an advisory
board, fundraising events, and many high-profile
artist supporters. |
| Programs
&
Services: |
A 90-minute documentary;
a service-learning humanities-based curriculum
that meets national middle and high school standards;
a community action forum for local communities
to bring organizations together; a companion
music CD. |
| Annual
Budget: |
$75,000 |
| Staff: |
1 full-time;
2 part-time; 1 full-time fundraising; 4 part-time
fundraising; 40 fundraising volunteers |
| Board
Size: |
11 |
| Fundraising: |
Special
events; direct mail; Board involvement; foundation
proposals; corporate approaches; on-line donations;
donor base consists mainly of individuals and
small foundations |
| Fundraising
Challenges: |
Current
economy; film giving is weak right now; homelessness
is a tough, unpopular sell |
| Consultant
Needs: |
Give
Us Your Poor is working on ways to structure
and implement Board committees, so a consultant
with board development experience would be beneficial
to the organization. Additionally, the organization
is exploring ways to build and target an individual
giving program, so a consultant with experience
in this area would be helpful as well. Some
strategic planning and special event advice
is also needed. |
