NEW YORK, July 14 Today JBFCS (www.jbfcs.org) announced that it beat its original goal for first time fundraising event -- the Hudson Valley Bike Ride. The human services agency started with a target of $250,000. To date, it has raised more than $280,000. The objective has now been increased to $300,000.
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According to Anthony Mann, founder of the bike ride and President-Elect of JBFCS, "We are thrilled by the enthusiastic response we have received to this new Westchester fundraiser. I started this bike race to celebrate the work of this agency, promote the importance of both mental and physical health and raise money at the same time. It feels wonderful to see that my original plan -- which included providing participants with a beautiful, scenic ride while having fun and meeting new people -- has turned out to be such a success. . .despite hard economic times."
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Tight Economic Times Especially Hard on Nonprofits
As nonprofits nervously watch for signs of light at the end of a dark economic tunnel, the news doesn't look particularly good. Some predict financial crisis will dampen the economy well into 2010.
"JBFCS and its success with the Hudson Valley Bike Ride prove an important point -- weathering a bad economy should not send a nonprofit skittering," said Paul Levine, CEO of JBFCS. "Just as companies need to keep advertising during a downturn to keep their names in the public eye, we believe that our agency gains nothing by retreating. Not only should you not retreat, you should become even more focused in your efforts."
Despite all of the bad news, there are people that are doing well in spite of, and in some cases because of the economy. These are the people who are hidden in pockets of prosperity all across the country. Today nonprofits need to work harder at researching who these people are and finding fundraising strategies to motivate them.
JBFCS provides a comprehensive network of 175 mental health and social service programs -- promoting well-being, resilience and self-sufficiency for individuals and families at every stage of life. Leaders in the field of human services, we proudly serve 65,000 people of all faiths, races and cultures across the five boroughs and in Westchester.
SOURCE JBFCS
