Areas of Focus Fundraising Initiatives

Posted by Julia D. Phelps, Chair, Basic Education and Literacy
The Areas of Focus Major Gifts Committees are made up of committee members who work to identify, cultivate, and solicit financial gifts from Rotarians and others who have a specific interest and an Area of Focus, in my case Basic Education and Literacy (BEL). We are asked to increase The Foundation’s  endowment by raising out right gifts or pledges (bequests) of $25,000 to $100,000 or more from a small group of donors. BEL MGI Committee members, one of whom is Tim Schilds, educate Rotarians and friends of Rotary on the global need for basic education and literacy and encourage their interest and support. We will work closely with our Endowment/Major Gift Advisers, other committee members and Foundation staff to solicit contributions, and will help plan targeted events to inform and cultivate those with an interest in supporting this crucial area. These “cultivation” events have proven to be successful and are one of this committee’s core responsibilities.
 
 
I dedicated my professional life to helping children be successful in school. And much of that success hinges on their ability to read and write. That’s just not my opinion, it’s based on research by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. They state, “Reading is the single most important skill necessary for a happy, productive and successful life.” Developing these skills takes active engagement from an early age.
 
Understanding how books work, which is fluency, decoding print, and understanding how putting letters together make words and vocabulary development are needed to comprehend written material. Readers use these skills to interpret and understand written words on a page. They read to find out more about the world in which they live and use that information to improve their lives. Lifelong readers think critically about what they’ve read and make connections to their own lives. They apply their skills in language and writing development.
 
A child's third grade reading proficiency is an indicator of future achievement. This is at age 8, just think about it, much of your future well-being can be determine by that early age. If a student is not developing adequate reading and writing skills by that age, he or she is more likely to encounter "ongoing academic difficulties in school, failure to graduate from high school on time and chances of succeeding economically later in life."
 
A person with low reading ability may not be able to read signs, understand medical information or prescription directions, or apply for jobs that require basic skills tests. Think about a person who can’t read and how they have been impacted during this pandemic.
And according to UNESCO, there are 781 million illiterate adults (over the age of 15) around the globe. And sadly, over 63% of those adults are women. That’s why President Shekhar’s initiative to educate the girl child is so important!
 
When it comes breaking the cycle of poverty we know that literacy plays a key role. The benefits of being literate are clear. We know the following from research on literacy:
  1. Literacy improves health,
  2. Literacy promotes “lifelong earning” and builds skills,
  3. Literacy improves the economy and creates jobs,
  4. Literacy promotes gender equality,
  5. Literacy promotes peace,
  6. and literacy builds self-esteem and overall quality of life.
As Rotarians we want to have a positive impact on children, their families, and the communities in which they live. That’s why all of us must support, with our financial treasure and our precious time, basic education, and literacy. We are serving to change lives, one literate child’s life at a time.