November 20, 2009
Dear Springboard Foundation members, Contributors and Friends,
It is my distinct privilege to report on another extremely successful year for the Springboard Foundation. Over the past year, in our support of grass-roots, after-school programs in Chicago's most impoverished neighborhoods, we reached some notable accomplishments:
- Invested close to $400,000 in our incredibly worthy programs taking the total amount to $3.2 million that Springboard has provided to children in Chicago.
- Increased the number of grantees we support by 20% allowing us to serve over 2,600 children a week.
- Maintained our commitment that 100% of every dollar invested by donors goes directly to programs helping Chicago's kids.
In our effort to maximize value, Springboard follows an arduous process to ensure that every dollar we invest generates results. Before committing to a program, we conduct a comprehensive due diligence process. In tandem with our partners at the Chicago Community Trust, Springboard reviews goals and strategies, analyzes financial statements, evaluates the leaders and conducts site visits to see the program and the people face-to-face. We protect and leverage our investment by providing expert assistance across a range of areas to our grantees. Through a group of outside service providers, Springboard offers its' programs top-notch help in accounting, fundraising, IT and strategic planning. This support is critical to the growth, effectiveness and success of our grantees. It has been an honor to serve as Springboard's President this year alongside my fellow 48 dedicated members. As we enter our 13th year, we are extremely fortunate to have Tony Hoban as our President with Dave McGranahan joining him as Vice President. Additionally, Colleen Gallagher will take on the Social Chair position and Chandler Bigelow will continue as the Treasurer of Springboard. There is no doubt this impressive group will guide Springboard to great success. As always, we are grateful for the ongoing support from our esteemed Board of Directors: Prudence Beidler, David Coolidge, Richard Driehaus and James Glasser. Also serving on our Board is Doug Mabie, the Founder and amazing chaperone of Springboard. Doug's vision, stewardship and continual pursuit of finding and funding the most effective programs is unrivaled. We are also thankful for the tremendous assistance we receive from the Chicago Community Trust. The CCT provides Springboard with valuable personnel and resources enabling us to spend our time and attention on the programs. With Springboard's Membership underwriting all of our fundraising and administrative expenses, CCT helps us ensure that every dollar that is given goes right to where it is needed the most - the children and programs that we support. Earlier this year someone shared a quote that has stuck with me and is certainly applicable to our cause. It is a Chinese proverb, "One generation plants the trees, another gets the shade". Thank you all for your help in planting trees this year and I look forward to doing the same with you in 2010.
Best regards,
Michael Ochsenhirt
