The Greater Good

In March 2008, Mariann MacDonald set what she thought would be an attainable fundraising goal this year for the local Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. But once the economy tanked, that $900,000 figure seemed beyond reach and sent her into a mental tug of war.

“That didn’t stop me, though,” MacDonald says. “There was the inside Mariann saying, ‘Oh, Lord.’ The outside Mariann kept saying, ‘We’re going to make this number.’”

After setting the goal, she and other board members of the Southwest Florida affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure focused on how small donations could make a difference and pushed the message that breast cancer touches everyone.

By November, the tally included $269,750 from sponsors, plus $198,585 from registration fees for the 8,185 participants, exceeding its goal of 7,000. At the March 2009 race, the top 10 teams raised a total of $150,000, more than the previous year, contributing to a total of $446,333 pulled in through team and individual fundraising efforts. It even surpassed its goal by $14,668, as of late April.

“The amount of money those teams brought in was more than they brought in last year,” MacDonald says. Participants on race day were saying, “We’re going to be back and we’re doing more next year.”

Nonprofits in the region are sharing similar tales of victory in capturing cash and donations as the need has increased. Even though they’re overwhelmed by the number of people seeking help, organizations are finding that individuals and businesses continue—in spite of their own uncertainty—to give their time, talent and treasure. That’s aided nonprofits that have expanded in the past year by opening shelters and housing facilities.

“The demand is up about 50 percent, which is just a catastrophic increase, really,” says Vann Ellison, president and CEO of Naples-based St. Matthew’s House. “We’re just inundated with people needing assistance.”