It's no secret that Real Change has recently faced down some huge challenges. As we placed more energy into our activism while meeting the needs of an ever-growing vendor base, the foundation upon which our work rests became more and more unsustainable. The basic stuff, often unfairly undervalued as the "administrative" side of our organization, cried out for attention.
Over 2009, with your help and support, we've made huge strides here. A new Operations Director has implemented systems and practices that befit a 15-year institution. A new Development Manager has energized our grassroots fundraising, which is the core of our support that grows from Real Change's deep roots in the community. We hired a bookkeeper to ensure that our accounting systems are up to date and clean. The i's are mostly dotted and the t's are crossed. We're in good shape
There is more. As of the first Monday of 2010, at $162,757 raised, Real Change has met the very challenging winter fundraising goal we needed to enter 2010 strong. Most of this was in donations ranging from $25 to $500. A very encouraging proportion of this came from new supporters. Our core -- the inspiring base of friends who make our work possible and our own capacity to operate effectively -- is in the best shape I've ever seen. Be assured that Real Change, whatever the challenges we face, is here for the long haul.
Be assured also that our values are very much intact. This morning I had a chat with one of our veteran vendors who, more than most, has her ear to the ground. "Real Change is not about money," she reminded me. "It's about humanity. We are here to build people." She also reminded me of what our readers appreciate most.
We know that, as other publications have bent to market forces, we play an increasingly critical role in this community. Our readers often say, as a friend put it this morning, "You are the only people left in this town that always tell us the truth." This will never change.
As we enter 2010, truth-telling journalism, risk-taking activism and life-affirming community are at the center of what we do. Thank you for being at our side, and making Real Change possible.