by Melissa Blakley, Chapter Development Associate
$10,000 more to go!
The 2005 Ozark Chapter Annual March Fundraising Appeal — INVESTING IN MISSOURI’S FUTURE has received nearly $15,000 in member donations toward its goal of $25,000. Thank you to those of you who have already sent in your donation.
2005 INVEST IN MISSOURI’S FUTURE | |||
| May 15, 2005 | 2005 GOAL | 2005 received* | 2004 |
| $ Donations | $25,000 | $14,573 | $20,385 |
| Number of donors | 530 | 203 | 424 |
| New donors | 106 | 98 | |
* at time of printing (June 10, 2005)
The articles in this issue of the Ozark Sierran give you a clear idea of the exciting and ambitious work undertaken by Sierra Club volunteers and staff in Missouri. As a grassroots environmental organization the Sierra Club is only as effective as its membership. We rely on you, our members, both for volunteer leadership and financial support. The Ozark Chapter receives only a very small fraction of your annual membership dues that pay for your subscription to the national Sierra magazine and help fund national conservation programs.
Thank you for supporting the work of the Ozark Chapter and your local group through your donation of time and money. We also want to thank institutional donors: the Proteus Fund for support of Columbia’s successful 2004 Renewable Energy Standards Ballot Initiative; Earth Share of Missouri’s employee workplace giving program; Midwest Region Conservation Committee grant to help with the Springfield power plant opposition; and Sierra Club’s funding for the Water Sentinels program, the 2004 Wildlands Grant to benefit efforts to protect and restore the Hidden Valley Natural Area in Kansas City, and the State Lobby Grant. We would also like to thank the Great Rivers Law Center and other attorneys and consultants who have donated their services for free or at reduced rates. Thank you all very much!
The heart of the Sierra Club is illustrated by the astonishing commitment of people like you who have chosen to get involved because you care about the world in which you live and how we will leave it to our children and grandchildren. And because that work is ongoing, the need to continue to grow our funding base is also ongoing.
Whether it is though a gift in response to our direct mail solicitations, a decision to write a bequest into your will, or a spontaneous gift to support one of the Chapter’s conservation priorities, your gifts help to strengthen the Sierra Club in Missouri.
Your contribution will help Missouri’s Sierra Club leaders engage more volunteers in direct advocacy and public education, develop strategic coalitions, implement campaigns to hold elected officials accountable, and pay for litigation when agencies or corporations fail to implement or enforce environmental safeguards and regulations.
Your support makes a difference!
Remember to respond to your 2005 opportunity to “Invest in Missouri’s Future” – send a generous donation TODAY to
Ozark Chapter Sierra Club **
1007 N. College, Ste 1
Columbia, MO 65201
**Contributions to the “Ozark Chapter Sierra Club” are not tax deductible; they support our effective citizen-based advocacy and lobbying efforts. This type of gift provides maximum flexibility for the Club. If you prefer to make a tax deductible gift, please make your contribution payable to “Sierra Club Foundation, Ozark Chapter”. For questions regarding contributions to the Ozark Chapter, contact Melissa Blakley, Chapter Development Associate, Melissa.blakley@sierraclub.org, (573) 999-7388.
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