Friends of the Children NY joined the Youth, I.N.C. network in 2002 and raised over $487,000 through the Celebration Program before graduating in 2008. During that time, the organization also participated in Youth, I.N.C.’s Board Advancement Program, and was subsequently introduced to three new board members, including Marguerite Koch, who served as Board Chair for several years.
While building fundraising skills and adding new board members were key factors of the organization’s current success, Friends of the Children NY also receives core support through Youth, I.N.C.’s Fund of Funds grants program, which awards substantial grants for capacity building initiatives. “The first generous Fund of Funds grant allowed us to experiment with new ways to keep our donors engaged, resulting in a 90 percent increase in returning donors between 2009 and 2010,” notes Executive Director Bob Houck. “The second grant allowed us to bring on a full-time Philanthropic Associate to expand all aspects of our fund development initiatives. We anticipate this will lead to a 13 percent increase in the number of children we will serve this year.”
While participating in Youth, I.N.C.’s fundraising training, board advancement, and grant programs, Friends of the Children NY grew from serving 24 children in one Harlem school to over 100 children in 61 schools throughout Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. Since its inception, Friends of the Children NY has quadrupled its impact, helping more New York City children become contributing members of their communities.
Houck agrees that Youth, I.N.C.’s partnership plays a major role in Friends of the Children NY’s success. “As alumni of Celebration we’ve been able to take the lessons so well taught by Youth, I.N.C. and successfully apply them to our own matters, setting new records for number of attendees, growth, and net revenue.”
