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YOUR FOUNDATION FOCUS

December 19, 2008

OUR MISSION
To provide financial resources for the National Exchange Club Programs of Service

 OUR VISION
Strong American families and National Exchange Club identity through the prevention of child abuse and Exchange’s Programs of Service

Happy Holidays!

You are making a difference in the lives of children and families all across our country by your involvement with and support of Exchange Club’s programs. These challenging economic times are resulting in reductions in charitable giving, coupled with significant increases in requests for assistance. We know that Exchange Club members are stepping up – in Unity for Service – to give of their time, talents, and resources to strengthen families, build communities, and serve America. We appreciate all that you do!  

As the year comes to a close, your National Exchange Club Foundation is taking steps to provide both current support for the programs of Exchange and also to secure our future:

• Our partnership with Hartsook Companies, Inc. to conduct a major fundraising campaign is moving forward positively. The test case statement, which begins to define the specifics of our campaign, has been distributed to a wide selection of individuals who will be asked for feedback in different ways. Interviews are underway with those who can speak to our ability to raise significant funds. Online surveys will also be conducted. Bob Hartsook and our fundraising coordinator, Carolyn Matthews, will be in Jacksonville in January to meet with our leadership and provide a progress report. If you want to participate, let us know ASAP!
• Our Annual Giving Campaign is underway, and donations are slightly ahead of last year. This is our annual request to individual Exchange Club members to support our on-going program expenses. Letters have been mailed to previous donors and to new members. Other requests are being circulated electronically by Trustees to their circles of friends. This campaign represents a significant portion of our program budget.
• The Campaign for Kids (formerly Quarters for Kids) will officially kick off at the mid-winter conference in January in Jacksonville. This appeal to clubs forms another critical component of our programming budget. Our goal for the 2009 Campaign for Kids is $65,000. Clubs will be encouraged to raise funds in their communities to support this effort, and we will be generating a little healthy competition along the way. Last year’s winners received convention packages, a PR package, along with patches and stars for their banners. Grand prizes also included club pictures on the cover of Exchange Today magazine.
• As we expand our Corporate Sponsorships program, we are asking Exchange Club members to promote their businesses by partnering with us. Such sponsorships enable us to provide more events and activities, such as youth scholarships and training for our CAP centers, which have limited funds for travel and training expenses. We are developing a variety of print and electronic recognition opportunities for our corporate partners. Promote your business by partnering with your National Exchange Club Foundation in the New Year. We welcome your suggestions for corporations we might contact. Please contact Development Specialist, Stacy Stamm, sstamm@nationalexchangeclub.org or 800-924-2643 with corporate contact information or suggestions.
• If you are 70 ½ or older, there is still time to help your NEC Foundation AND reduce your tax liability?!?! The provision allowing IRA owners age 70 ½ or over to transfer up to $100,000 of their IRA directly to charity, has been extended! This provision allows you to directly donate funds from your IRA account to your NEC Foundation and still satisfy your required minimum distribution, without including it as income! What a simple and easy method for an end-of-year gift to your Foundation that reduces your tax liability! Please contact your tax professional about taking advantage of the Charitable IRA Rollover by December 31, 2008.
• Letters were recently sent to all Berkey Fellows and others in Exchange Club leadership, asking for a commitment for their 2009 Berkey Endowment contribution. This $1,000 contribution to the endowment supports our programs that strengthen families through youth scholarships and child abuse prevention activities. A payment plan can be set up to enable the commitment to be paid out over the course of a year.

Stewardship: In an effort to be better stewards of our resources, reduce mailing costs, as well as our impact on the environment, your National Exchange Club Foundation is exploring more efficient means of communicating with our clubs and our leaders. Watch for more electronic notices and online postings. Be sure to check out our website at www.exchangeclubfoundation.org!

Thank you for all you do to better your communities and provide meaningful services to children and families. Your efforts are helping to strengthen America.

On behalf of the National Exchange Club Foundation’s board of trustees, and staff, please accept my very best wishes for a Happy Holiday and a prosperous New Year for each of you and your families. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of families across our country.

Yours in Service,

J. Michael Jernigan, President