For further information, please contact:

Lisa Sholley, Capital Campaign Officer, 206.548.3260

What once seemed like an audacious goal has become a reality, as diverse community members came together to protect a rare and beautiful place, and the rural character and way of life that it affords. We’re so proud of our hard-working client and look forward to celebrating their success this weekend!

Below are some fun campaign facts pulled from the Conservancy’s newsletter:

* There have been more than 1,500 donations made to the campaign.

* Donors from 31 states gave to this campaign.

* More than 500 people gave to the Methow Conservancy for the first time through this campaign.

* Of all the money raised, 55 percent comes from private sources (people, foundations, businesses). These private gifts have helped leverage more than $8 million in public funds.

* Every private dollar they’ve spent has leveraged $100 in public funds for farmland protection projects.

* The campaign has already protected 23 new conservation easements and there are 25 more in progress.

* Campaign funds will continue to fund conservation projects for the next four+ years.

* Fifteen percent of the campaign funds will be put into three long-term funds – Stewardship, Land, & Organizational – to ensure conservation work continues forever.

* More than 40 volunteers worked actively to raise campaign funds.

* To date, the campaign has raised $19,720,408 (98.6% towards goal). These funds are in the form of cash, pledges, public funds, and the value of donated conservation easements.

Discover more at www.imaginethemethow.org

I am a TNC member, affiliated through Washington State. I receive the Washington TNC publications and my communications from the organization have, until now, been localized.

While many nonprofits don’t have the scale of TNC, most have the capacity to send “plain talk” updates to donors on issues that relate to their missions. TNC, as a whole, is demonstrating that the gift I have already made has helped them respond quickly and given me confidence that they are at the forefront with the science needed to limit the disastrous impacts of this environmental crisis.

May 1, 2010

Dear Aggie Sweeney,

Thank you for the outpouring of concern during this time. The first waves of oil started to come ashore here on Friday around noon, approximately 45 miles south of New Orleans on the Mississippi River.

Conditions along the coast since Thursday’s nightfall have not been conducive to doing a lot of preventative work — the seas are running six to eight feet high, and that plus an abnormally high tide has made it basically impossible for the responders to deploy the booms that would contain the slick.

I think about how last week’s Deepwater Horizon oil spill off the coast of Louisiana is going to affect one of the most treasured ecological landscapes in North America and the people who depend on it and my heart sinks.

We are putting to work all of The Nature Conservancy’s best knowledge and expertise in this region. Thanks to the support of caring members like you, we have tremendous science expertise and data to lend to efforts in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and other states surrounding the Gulf of Mexico.

We have placed our shellfish restoration team at the disposal of the U.S. Department of Interior and other federal agencies to try to prevent impacts where we can, assess damage where it’s occurring and figure out how to restore as many of these natural areas as possible.

View this map to learn more about the relevance of shellfish ecosystems and the essential role they play in providing a healthy marine ecosystem for our natural world and for so many local fisherman and businesses.

Although it’s just hitting the coast and will be weeks before we’re able to fully assess the impacts of this oil spill, I want you to know we’re doing everything possible to contribute to an effective response.

Thank you again for all your concern and support. I hope you will read our blog and visit our web site to keep updated on our latest progress.

Sincerely,

Keith Ouchley
Louisiana State Director
The Nature Conservancy

To watch a pre-luncheon interview between Gloria Steinem and Jean Enerson / King 5 News, click here.

In my role as an AFP Oregon board member, I’m helping coordinate carpooling for anyone interested in attending the conference from outside the Portland metro area. Please feel free to email me if you want to learn more: dedeen@collinsgroup.com.

Every year, the Arts Council hosts a very successful auction called H’Arts. This year, however, they saw record-breaking results. Compared to last year:

• Attendance increased by 20 percent
• Donation values increased by 50 percent
• Dollars raised increased by 65 percent
• “Fund-a-Need” donations increased by 450 percent

The Collins Group would like to tip our hat to the Arts Council and their success. Thank you for demonstrating that steadfast cultivation and donor-centered fundraising really does produce results – no matter what the economy.

Click here to learn more about the Arts Council project.

• Under 40 years old
• Passionate about social change
• Want to address issues of class and privilege in meaningful ways
• Want to make a personal and community investment in change (at a level meaningful to you)

If you or someone you know would be a good fit, you can contact SJF, or attend the informational meeting February 25 at 6:00 pm in the Plaza 600 Building Conference room, 600 Stewart Street in downtown Seattle.  Click here for more details.  Tell your friends!

Last week’s NDOA conference featured fundraising guru Kim Klein as keynote speaker. She commanded the attention of the 380 fundraising and nonprofit professionals in the room and delivered a bit of a wake up call. She challenged nonprofit leaders to “talk about taxes” and have more discussions about what our expectations are for our tax dollars and from the public sector. The tax debate should be of concern to fundraisers and the nonprofit sector as a whole because of the tax benefits for charitable giving, yet Kim sees our sector too often avoiding the subject. Thanks, Kim, for the call to action! This may just be the year that nonprofit leaders start talking taxes, if they haven’t already, with the sunset of the estate tax and when our State and City budgets require difficult cuts and sacrifices.

So, if you are wondering where to begin – why not head to Olympia tomorrow to join with Executive Alliance and other nonprofit leaders as they meet with key legislators to discuss issues that affect nonprofit organizations sector-wide. Or, visit Executive Alliance’s website to read their blog, gain access to policy and advocacy resources and find out how to make your voice heard in the tax talks.