By Glen Truax
With the highest child poverty rating in the country, and with charity donations declining, many families in British Columbia rely on the community coming together to help those in need.
Jen Schaeffers is one of the new leaders in the NGO world, with a blend of innovation and intelligence that has revived CKNWs Orphans' Fund. The annual drive garnered an astounding $1.9 million this year, smashing records and topping the previous year by a solid $200,000.
Schaeffers attributes her success to maintaining a healthy relationship with corporate donors rather than depending solely on private individuals, who had made up the bulk of CKNWs donors in the past. We also profile those philanthropists, make them known to the community.
Schaeffers has spent a considerable amount of her career as a sports marketer, but philanthropy has been a part of her life since childhood. She decided to make her volunteer work into a career choice. I want to do something that speaks to my soul,said Schaeffers.
The fundraiser dates back to CKNWs relationship with a local orphanage in the 1940s. Schaeffers saw a lot of opportunity, particularly considering CKNWs community ties. In order to be sustainable, you need a community upswell.
Charity may not begin at home, but it doesnt necessarily begin with the state either. Every year there are government cutbacks, Schaeffers said. And the need is increasing, not decreasing. [Organizations] have to figure out how to get off government funding.
The Orphans Fund helps thousands of children annually, but children and families need all of the help that they can get. We receive 50, 60 grant requests from families monthly, and every single story is gut-wrenching.
For the beginner fundraiser, Scaheffers highly recommends networking, mentor programs, and thinking creatively.