OPENING
Worlds by
OPENING
Books
Literature for All of
Us
2015 Annual Report
Overview and Readiness of Literature for All of Us
Literature for All of Us brings the rewards of reading and writing through book
group discussions to teen parents and other young people in underserved
neighborhoods. We build communities of readers, poets, and critical thinkers. We
develop family literacy by providing childrens literature and child development
resources to teen parents. We open worlds by opening books.
Our Vision
Like your foundation, we envision a future when all young people have
opportunities that enable them to access their voices, write their stories, embrace
meaning in their lives, and imagine possibilities for their futures. In safe
environments, they have the support of responsible adults as they grow into caring
and empowered individuals.
They use reading, writing, and discussion to explore their strengths and share their
ideas, while experiencing a sense of accomplishment, self-esteem and hope. Young
people become part of a community of avid readers and gain excellent literacy and
decision-making skills.
As parents they nurture their children with love, respect, structure, and consistent
exposure to literature.
As engaged citizens they know how and where to identify and use resources and
they organize their communities to seek equity and social justice. Working with
others, they use the power of words to change the world.
Our Impact
The primary impact of Literature for All of Us Book Groups is making reading and
writing essential to participants' lives. The findings from our annual evaluations
show significant successes in reaching the program's goals, including:
Reading
o
positive changes in reading frequency
o
increases in reading enjoyment
o
Writing
o
increases in writing to gain understanding of feelings
o
increases in frequency of voluntary writing
Social and Emotional Learning Skills
o
increases in all skill categories (self-awareness, perspective-taking,
confidence in problem-solving, help-seeking behavior, cooperation, selfassertiveness and goal-setting)
o
increases in plans and goals for the future, including college
In addition to our stated program goals, we found the following program results:
There is a statistically significant decrease in disciplinary referrals over the
course of the program year.
A majority of students report sharing their books and the poetry they wrote
with family or friends outside the book groups.
Improved Reading Test Scores: In 2008, Literature for All of Us collected and
analyzed pre- and post-Book Group standardized reading test scores of
female participants and found gains more than doubled those of students who
did not participate in Book Group (The scores of students in our groups
increased one year and three months; the scores of those without increased
six months).
The majority of students also reported that being in book group changed the
way they viewed themselves or their lives.
I appreciate life a whole lot more. My way of thinking has changed,
I think outside the box. I respect people more and respect myself
more. Book group is the best thing that has happened to me.
Yeah it did (change my life) because when I feel sad or mad I could
have time (to think about my situation) by writing poetry or talking
to the people in group. It makes me feel good, better about myself.
Because now I feel peace with myself. I know there is more things
in life to enjoy rather than just being in one place and I know that
people can change.
II. STRATEGIC GOALS (non-monetary goals impacting success of
plan)
- 100% giving by Board, executive director, and key staff.
- 100% participation by board in some fundraising task, including cultivation of
donors.
- Enhanced communications re: fund development within the board and with
prospects, including regular presentations at board meetings by fund development
chair.
- Develop plan for ongoing recruitment/training of fundraising volunteers. Recruit a
minimum of 10 non-board volunteers to help in fund development.
- Develop new prospects for personal solicitation campaign and direct mail
solicitation; cultivate family foundations.
- Strengthen donor cultivation program and board and staff understanding of the
purpose and process of cultivation.
- Actively involve staff and students in special events and fundraising activities
(e.g., students can help with several direct mails, support phonathon, walks,
Student Recognition Evening; staff can coordinate concerts, participate in walks,
contribute with graphic design work for direct mail and publications.)
- Strengthen coordination between the PR & fund development committees to
further support fundraising efforts.
-Maintain systems for ongoing monitoring/evaluation of progress in all areas of
fund development.
III. SOLICITATION STRATEGIES
A. Personal Solicitation Campaign
1. Board Solicitation (Chairs: President, Fund Development Chair)
Time Frame: September 1, 2014-August 31, 2015
Number of Prospects: 26 Goal: 100% giving; $7,000
Method: Personal solicitation. Request amounts based on donor history (onetime annual giving in lieu of multiple direct mail solicitations; these
individuals will, however, get notice of special events.)
Solicitors: President and Fund Development Chair
2. Individual Solicitation (Staff and Volunteers)
Time Frame: September 1, 2014-August 31, 2015
Number of Prospects: 50-75 top individual donors, Advisory Board, family
trusts/foundations Goal: $30,000; 60% renewals, 15% gift upgrades
Method: Personal solicitation by board and non-board volunteers (one-time
annual giving in lieu of multiple solicitations.) Create a 1:1 Match donation.
B. Special Events
1. Walk for Literacy
Time Frame: October 2, 2014
Number of Walkers: 100 Goal: $ 6,000 gross/$14,800 net
Method: Mailing: 2,500 pieces; phonathon 2 weeks later to recruit walkers,
pledgers, donations; news articles and other promotional publicity; other
personal recruitment by board, staff, and students.
2. Benefit Concert
Time Frame: March 25, 2015
Attendance Goal: 350 Goal: $2,000 gross/$1,500 net
Method: Mailings, radio and TV PR., flyers, posters, newsletters, and
newspaper coverage.
Solicitors: staff, volunteers, other?
3. Student Recognition Evening
Time Frame: April-June, 2015
Number of Prospects: 650 individuals (previous attendees/invitees, new)
Goal: $3,500 gross/$0 net; 350 guests, volunteers, and students
Method: Invitation mailed; follow-up phone calls, face-to-face soliciting;
newsletter announcement.
C. Direct Mail
Each direct mailing has a different theme to encourage multiple gifts and to reach
individuals with varied interests. Direct mail is responsibility of finance director and
fundraising assistant.
Time Frame: December 2014
Number of Prospects: 2,500 (1,000 new)
Number of Donors: 200 Goal: $8,000; 60% renewal, 15% gift upgrades, 5%
new donors
Method: Mailing with remit enclosure; follow-up articles in newsletter;
holiday mailing possibly signed by individual students from each class.
Follow-up mailing to major donors in previous campaign who have not
renewed their gift.
D. Government and Foundation Grants
Time Frame: On-going throughout the year
Number of Reports: 165
Number of New Prospects: at least 10 Goal: $365,528: 9 government
applications; $30,000: 15 foundation proposals; $65,000
Method: Finance Director & program staff
IV. CULTIVATION STRATEGIES
The purpose of cultivation is:
1) To add prospects to our donor base and develop them to become active
supporters and regular donors; and
2) To improve relationships with current board members, donors, volunteers, and
other friends, to build a greater understanding of how they can help our agency
achieve its mission.
A. Recognition Events
Time: Twice per year: December 2014 (Donor Recognition) & April 2015
(Volunteer Recognition)
Goal: Appreciation evenings for donors and volunteers; opportunity to see
facilities, meet staff and students; recruitment of potential volunteers; and
cultivation of potential donors.
Method: Special mailings with invitations; newsletter articles; personal
invitations by board.
Responsible: board, staff, students, other volunteers
B. Communications
Holiday Card: Holiday greeting card to 300 friends and major donors (this is not a
solicitation)
Newsletter: 2x per year. Mailing list includes funders, donors, volunteers, homebased students, elected officials, other agency executives, and service providers.
V. FINANCIAL GOALS
______________________________________________________
Projected Operated Budget:
Income Categories
$495, 851.00
Year A
Year B
Total
Direct Mail
$17,955.00
$3,000.00
.5%
Special Events
$32,155.00
$32,000.00
5%
Individuals/Family Trust
(Major Gifts)
$62,033.00
$53,000.00
9%
Foundations
$37,003.00
$27,000.00
4%
Government
$385,972.00
$380,851.00
62%
TOTAL
4535,118.00
$495,851.00
100%
VI. FUND DEVELOPMENT CALENDAR YEAR 2014-2015
September
Mailing/phonathon/other publicity for Literacy Walk
Personal solicitation of board members (Sept.-Nov.)
October
Literacy Walk Follow-up re: walk pledges Personal campaign with
large donors (Sept.-Dec.)
Direct Mail #2 planned
Social Media: #GivingTuesday
November
Discuss cultivation strategies (On-going)
Evaluate results of Literacy Walk
Prepare holiday mailing/mailing lists PR Committee plans Recognition
Event
Direct Mail #2
Holiday Recognition Event
Advance solicitation for sponsors
Social Media: #GivingTuesday
December
January
February
March
April
May
Review results of Direct Mail #2
Review progress of marketing campaigns (social media)
Review results of personal campaign (phonathon)
Plan benefit concert
Continue discussions of cultivation strategies
Review plans for Volunteer Recognition Evening
Review plans for Student Recognition Evening
Review plans for benefit concert
Finalize plans for Direct Mail #3
Update progress on social media campaign
Review results of solicitation for sponsors
Benefit concert
Volunteer Recognition Evening
Process Direct Mail #3
Review results of benefit concert
Update Progress re: Recognition Evening
Review progress re: Direct Mail #3
Update Progress re: Recognition Evening
Mailing for Recognition Dinner
Begin planning for 5th Annual Literacy Walk
June
Recognition Evening
Update results of Direct Mail #3
Review plans for Literacy Walk
July
Review progress of marketing campaigns (social media)
Prepare Annual Report
Review results of June Recognition Dinner
August
Annual Report mailed with cover letter
Review progress of marketing campaigns (social media)
Direct Mail #4 planned
January 30, 2015
"Reading helps guide my way to knowing who I am. It
takes me to a place of relaxation, calmness just me and
my book, my thoughts and me. Its a way to escape the
daily dramas of life and read somebody elses."
Shuniece Hart
Since 1996, we have been connecting young people to their strengths through
literature, engaging them in book groups where they read and discuss literature
and write poetry. Literature for All of Us has cultivated significant collaborative
relationships with alternative schools, agencies serving pregnant and parenting
teens, and after-school programs to expand the scope and reach of its important
mission and to share the creative spirit of young people. Since our first book group
for teen mothers in 1996, we have reached more than 7,000 young people.
We transformed the lives of 537 young people aged 11-22.
We facilitated 18 weekly book groups held at 8 collaborating sites.
In all, we provided 379 book group sessions.
Over 1,200 new novels, poetry collections, childrens books and
journals were distributed.
Book group members studied various poets and poetic forms, and wrote
poetic responses related to the themes they were reading and discussing.
Participants wrote nearly 2,000 poems.
Their poems were gathered and published in 7 separate poetry
anthologies.
We sponsored 10 poetry readings that gave participants an opportunity to
share their voices with the wider community.
During 2010-2011, the majority of our students participated in one of 21
special events. These activities supplemented the book group experience and
included cultural field trips, special celebrations, and overnight retreats
that involved hiking, art projects, and reflective writing.
We promoted family literacy by sponsoring 42 Childrens Literature for
Parenting sessions at book group sites for pregnant and parenting teens.
Over 236 young parents were inspired to read to their children through their
own developing love of reading and through these specially designed
sessions. The books we give them are theirs to keep to build a childrens
library in their own homes.
I appreciate life a whole lot more. My way of
thinking has changed I think outside the box
now. I respect people more and respect myself
more. Book group is the best thing that has
happened to me.
With your help, hundreds of young people turn a pageWorking together, we can
meet any challenge. Your contribution today will allow us to further mobilize
volunteers and accelerate this organizations success.
Become a partner in bringing the world of words to young people. There are many
ways to contribute:
Make a Gift
A gift to Literature for All of Us can be made by check or credit card. You may
securely make a credit card donation online or over the phone at 847-869-7323.
*Gifts to Literature for All of Us are tax-deductible to the extent permissible by law.
Honor or Remember Someone Special
Honor a special person in your life, living or deceased, in celebration of a birthday,
anniversary or other important occasion. A tribute gift is a thoughtful way to
celebrate or to acknowledge family, friends and colleagues. When you make a
tribute or memorial gift, a special card is sent to the honoree or designated family
member recognizing your gift. Contact our office at 847-869-7323 or
info@literatureforallofus.org to make a tribute gift.
Vacation Home Rental Program
Some of our members have made their vacation homes available for rental to our
friends, benefiting Literature for All of Us.
Become a Sustainer
Your pledge can be paid over time in cash or stocks. Monthly, quarterly and other
payment schedules are available. Contact the office at
847-869-7323.
Planned Giving
Help assure the continuation and growth of the important work of Literature for All
of Us by mentioning the agency in your estate planning. The following general form
is suggested: I give, devise, bequest to Literature for All of Us, an Illinois not-forprofit organization located at 2010 Dewey Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201, the sum of
$__________ (or specifically describe property). If you decide to do so, please let
us know so we can enroll you in our Legacy Circle.
We hope youll join us and provide financial support!
Sincerely,
Karen Thompson
Founder & Executive Director
P.S. We invite you to connect with us, log-on to www.literatureforallofus.org and
make a difference today.
2010 Dewey Avenue Evanston, IL 60201
P: 847-869-7323 F: 847-869-7325
www.literatureforallofus.org
