Bri Vanderlinden
The many ways our community works together to accomplish big goals never ceases to amaze me. On the heels of our Virtual Gala last month, we launched our annual spring fundraising drive with a goal of reaching 300 donors and raising $30,000 in unrestricted donations to support our outdoor education and conservation mission. This grassroots-style fundraising campaign asked members and donors to consider making a gift of any size - it all adds up to big change!
To kick us off, members and volunteers were invited to #GiveBIG with a personally meaningful gift. In addition to a special $10,000 dollar-for-dollar matching challenge, new donors were offered a first-ever opportunity to triple their impact with an additional $2,500 matching incentive. Over the next few days, support poured in from all corners of the organization, and our two matching challenges were quickly exceeded.
As we reached the final stretch of the campaign, an anonymous donor offered a third and final $2,500 matching opportunity to rally 100 additional supporters and reach our goal of welcoming 300 donors into the spring fundraising drive. Once again, members and volunteers from all branches stepped up, and before the month ended we had already exceeded our third and final goal.
Thanks to the incredible support of members, volunteers, and donors, I am elated to announce that 315 donors, including 160 individuals who made their first-ever gift, helped us raise an astounding $45,000 for The Mountaineers people, places, programs, and publishing. We’d like to extend a special thank you to Rich and Martha Draves for their continued leadership, providing our $10,000 match and inspiring our anonymous donors to extend two more challenges and further elevate the success of this campaign.
2021 marks The Mountaineers 10-year anniversary as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and we are humbled and grateful for the ongoing and increasing philanthropic support from our community. Together, we are able to offer accessible outdoor programs to youth and adults of all ages across the Puget Sound. And through our conservation, advocacy, and publishing efforts, we are able to equip new and seasoned adventurers with the knowledge and resources that help improve outcomes for the public lands we know and love.
Thank you for all you do to support the health and wellbeing of our community and wild places. No matter who you are, where you live, or what you give, it all makes a difference for the people and places we care about.
If you missed your chance to give, it’s never too late to join. To add your name in support of our spring fundraising drive, visit our spring drive donation page.
Donate to The Mountaineers Spring drive
We look forward to seeing you outside!
Main Image: Mountain Workshop participants from Young Women Empowered (Y-WE) enjoy a day at Discovery Park. Photo By Bri vanderlinden
As a 501(c)3 organization, gifts made to The Mountaineers® are 100% tax-deductible. The Mountaineers, Tax ID 27-3009280, is located at 7700 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115.
