Update

Raise the Roof! was Connections' fundraising campaign for fiscal year 2011. Thanks to our supporters, we met our goal of raising $600,000 in private donations (not including foundations).

A new part of our fundraising was to enlist volunteers to hold fundraising parties for us that we called "Roof-Raisers." Our creative and generous friends and supporters held 10 Roof Raiser events this past spring, totalling $41,000 and 184 new donors! These events have included champagne brunch, dinner parties, a Top Chef competition at Hilda's Place, cocktail parties and a concert. We increased our community education and outreach and decreased our spending on fundraising by 77%. We plan to continue volunteer-run parties as part of our fundraising plan in the 2012 fiscal year.

Moving Forward -- There's No Place Like Home

Our theme for this year is "There's No Place Like Home," and we'll be taking a slightly different approach to meeting the financial needs of our programs.

Last year, we cancelled our spring gala and started up Roof-Raisers. This year, we are using every tool we have available to us, including:

• Volunteer-led fundraising parties (Roof-Raisers)
• A spring gala and some smaller paid events
• Corporate sponsorships
• Free outreach events
• And, yes -- mailings and emails