2020 began with great expectations for the Cal-Nev-Ha Children’s Fund. We unveiled our new YES! Initiative at the Mid-Year Conferences and we had plans to promote this new fundraising initiative at the District Convention; however, the COVID-19 pandemic created a headwind for the new program. If you have not heard about the YES! Initiative, this initiative was created to increase funding for:
Y = Youth: Your gift to the YES! Initiative supports all District Student Leaders to attend board meetings and trainings by covering costs such as housing, transportation, and meals, allowing any student to participate no matter the family’s financial situation.
E = Education: When you give to the YES! Initiative, you provide scholarships to our Circle K, Key Club and KIWIN’S members, fulfilling their quest for a higher education and making the dream of college a reality.
S = Support: Your YES! Initiative gift awards grants to Kiwanis clubs for new projects that make a difference in children’s lives and their communities.
With the Governor’s Official visits converted to virtual visits, and many clubs struggling to find new ways to raise funds in this hostile environment, the CNH Children’s Fund saw a dip in donations, especially in our Distinguished Service, Community Service and Youth Service awards.
In anticipation of the Key Club Fall Rallies being cancelled this year due to COVID-19, the Key Club District Board asked if the Cal-Nev-Ha Children’s Fund would consider setting up a GoFundMe Charity account, which would allow the CNH Key Club District to utilize this online fundraising platform to raise money for our Pediatric Trauma Program.
I’m pleased to report the CNH Children’s Fund now has a GoFundMe Charity account and has started a number of campaigns using this new fundraising tool. Since we launched our first GoFundMe Campaign in early June, we’ve raised more than $28,000 using this platform. You can visit our GoFundMe page at https://charity.gofundme.com/cnhfoundation. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page to view our current campaigns.
Our Development and Programs committee will be considering a number of virtual fundraisers in the coming year, such as our highly successful virtual wine tasting. Please check the CNH Children’s Fund website for new virtual fundraising opportunities at www.cnhfoundation.org.
The silver lining of this pandemic is that it has accelerated our use of virtual fundraising and will help the CNH Children’s Fund to extend its fundraising efforts outside of Kiwanis. We still need the support of our Kiwanis clubs, club foundations and our Service Leadership Program clubs, but by reaching outside of our Kiwanis family for donations, we will be better able support our Kiwanis clubs and Service Leadership Program members throughout the pandemic and beyond.
If you need a virtual speaker for your Kiwanis club meetings, we can schedule a board member or ambassador to make a presentation on any of the many Foundation topics that would be of interest to your club.
Craig Wallace, President 2020-2022
Cal-Nev-Ha Children’s Fund