Matching Gift Update
COVID-19 did severe damage to our mission in 2020, particularly against our fundraising infrastructure and efforts.
Thankfully, we had our Endowment Fund to lean on during the most difficult season we’ve ever faced. This special fund prevented Operation Broken Silence from having to shutter any of our programs or permanently close our doors.
As I’ve mentioned in previous updates to you, this year is one of rebuilding. We expect this work will continue well into 2022, as we push to restore full funding to our Sudanese partners and discover new ways to grow our movement in an uncertain environment.
Part of our rebuilding effort is growing our Endowment Fund, increasing our resilience in the face of whatever crisis comes next. Earlier this year, a generous private donor saw the tremendous value of our decision to have an Endowment and subsequently offered to match all donations made to it, up to a total of $25,000.
Thanks to your giving, over half of this generous match has been claimed! $11,768 in matched donations remain. If you haven’t given yet, now is a great time to help us continue making progress.
Our Endowment, Explained
We started this special fund in 2016. It is made up of a series of strategic investments including mutual funds, cash savings, and cryptocurrencies. Earned dividends and interests are used to support the organization and our mission. The Endowment Fund is overseen by our Board Treasurer, Executive Director, and financial advisor.
Why is this fund important?
The Endowment Fund is our answer to a simple question: how do we ensure our doors are always open to the Sudanese people, no matter what?
This isn't a hypothetical. When COVID-19 careened into our mission in 2020, giving ground to a halt. Our Endowment gave us space to adapt, launch new fundraising efforts, and help our Sudanese partners continue their work.
Simply put, our Endowment Fund has already proven to be incredibly useful. And the faster it grows, the more sustainable our mission becomes.
How is my gift used?
Your generosity is deposited into a savings account and immediately starts generating interest. Once a certain amount of cash donations hit our account, a majority of those gifts are invested in a mutual fund. Your gift begins generating a higher level of dividends, effortlessly multiplying your impact as the months and years go by.
If you donate an investment such as a stock or cryptocurrency, we will evaluate the long-term quality of your gift. It may be kept as is or reinvested elsewhere to meet our needs. There are four primary ways to make a matched donation to our Endowment Fund.
Checks can be made payable to Operation Broken Silence with Endowment written in the memo line and mailed to PO Box 770900 Memphis, TN 38177-0900.
While there’s no deadline for securing the rest of this matching gift, we need to wrap this campaign up sooner rather than later. Doing so will narrow the scope of our rebuilding agenda, freeing up valuable staff time we can use to determine the future of our events and grow The Renewal recurring giving family.
I remain cautiously optimistic about the future of our mission. There is still much work to be done amid many unknowns; but we’re slowly and steadily making good progress. Your gift to our Endowment Fund is another small step in that direction. Thank you, and take care.
Onward,
Mark C. Hackett
Executive Director
About Us
Operation Broken Silence is building a global movement to empower the Sudanese people through innovative programs as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
We focus on empowering Sudanese change makers and their critical work. Learn more.
Donations are tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. Give here.
