The Annual Giving Fund is a critical fundraising campaign for Opportunity Knocks. This year we marvel at the resilience we’ve seen from Warriors in 2021 and look forward to 2022 with exciting endeavors on the horizon. Please consider supporting our efforts.
Campaign Goal
Total Donation Amount | $80,000
- Total Donation Amount 92%
Campaign Goal
Total Matching Goal | $27,500
- Total Matching Donations 100%
Campaign Goal
Total # of Donors | 250
Total # Donors
Spread the Word
HELP US SPREAD THE WORD!
You can boost our fundraising effort by spreading the word to your network. These critical funds will help to ensure that the Warrior Mission continues to move forward.
We’ve now made it even easier to share the OK Mission with your network! Click the button below to take a look at our Annual Giving Fund Marketing Toolkit. This toolkit features instructions for social media fundraisers, a customizable email/letter template, and downloadable campaign photos to enhance those posts and emails.
HELP US SPREAD THE WORD!
If you are a Facebook user, you can either share the fundraiser from the OK FB page or set up your own Facebook Fundraiser for OK and share with friends:
- Click Fundraisers in the left menu of your News Feed.
- Click “Select Nonprofit” – Search and select OK.
- Fill in the fundraiser details and select a cover photo (see attached for the Campaign’s KEY IMAGE).
- Click Create & Share it!
Questions?
Contact Claire Widseth
claire.widseth@opportunityknocksnow.org
Meeting the Moment
WE ARE WARRIORS
Each year the Annual Giving Fund allows us the opportunity to look back on our year with gratitude, while also looking forward to next year with clear ambition. We are struck by the resilience we have seen in 2021. We have seen Warriors adapt through so much adversity, all the while preserving the positive Warrior spirit. While we appreciate all that we have been thru this year, we see great opportunities ahead of us in the next.
The OK Programs Platform continues to evolve. We find ourselves offering what we believe to be our best version of dynamic, person-centered and community-based OK programming. We are focused on big opportunities of growth with staffing, redesigning our spaces, upgrading our technology, and developing new partnerships that offer us innovative ways to grow our mission. We are also committed to rebuilding our strategic plan and taking important steps toward becoming an independent living support provider.
Striving toward these objectives and advancing our work will take significant resources and support from our community. We hope to use the Annual Giving Fund as a stage to show you what has been done and appeal for your support to continue to do what needs doing to keep the Warrior Mission going strong.
WARRIOR’S ADAPT
RYAN IS OK, ALWAYS ADAPTING
Over the past 20 months, we have been in awe of the collective Warrior spirit. One important characteristic we have observed of every Warrior is that of adaptability. No matter what changes had to be made due to dynamic health guidelines, the Warriors were fluid.
Pre-pandemic, Ryan Gravely participated in every one of OK’s program offerings. Her desire to chart every aspect of her schedule was crucial to her comfort zone. The volatility of the pandemic challenged Ryan’s adaptability. Courageously, she insisted on participating, even as regularity in schedule became common. To most, this may seem a small obstacle, to Ryan it was a significant challenge. She adapted.
Bravely transitioning from one phase of OK’s COVID version of programs to the next, she faced fears and showed resilience. From posting pics of her walks on our Warrior-blog platform to attending on-site programs via Zoom and then finally returning to in-person programming, Ryan has never let the pandemic keep her from being involved.
WE ARE WARRIORS
WE ARE FLEXIBLE
As we settle into a new normal and back into in-person programs, we have seen our Warriors flourish in every way imaginable. Talib Walton is one Warrior in particular who has thrived while going with the ebbs and flows of the past 20 months.
Pre-COVID, Talib was quiet and reserved at OK. While he made friends easily, he was modest when sharing his thoughts and joining conversations. After the pandemic began, we switched to a virtual program platform and began to see a new side of Talib emerge. Registering for 3 hours of virtual programming a day, our staff marveled at how vocal Talib became in this new setting. Asking questions and voicing his thoughts became Talib’s new way!
This positive trend of becoming more vocal and seeking new experiences continued as we re-introduced in-person programming. In addition to programs, Talib joined our Walk-to-Run Club despite previously expressing an indifference to exercise. Most recently, Talib has joined our Knockout Enterprise team as a caterer and pickle-maker. Talib’s growth over the past year is just one wonderful example of OK’s mission in action.
WE ARE WARRIORS
WE ARE RESILIENT
Opportunity Knocks was founded to provide continued enrichment, particularly for Warriors aged 22 and older, who are no longer eligible for the service and support programs that are funded through and offered by the public school system. Up until this past July, Warriors would become ineligible for public school services on their birthday, and would not be able to finish the school year.
Our own Warrior, Allison Wenzloff, was in a unique position, as she turned 22 before the bill was passed but was then eligible to return and finish out the school year. Currently, after Allison attends school, she joins the OK crew for our late-afternoon program block, three days per week.
No matter what, Allison faced the uncertainty of school and pandemic over the past 20 months in true Warrior spirit. Allison continually brought a bright smile and fantastic personality to every program activity no matter what came her way. She showed that she was resilient on every level.
Make a Big Impact
Two Great Matching Gift Opportunities
We have assembled two very generous matching gift offers totaling $27,500 to help drive our Annual Giving Fund. The Coleman Foundation and a few generous OK supporters are backing our effort to call out to the Warrior Nation and help meet the match. Read on for more details.
MATCH #1
FROM NOW UNTIL #GIVINGTUESDAY ON NOVEMBER 30th
THE COLEMAN FOUNDATION WILL PROVIDE ANY GIFT OF $1,250 OR MORE WITH A $1,250 MATCH, UP TO A TOTAL MATCH CAP OF $12,500. THIS MEANS THAT GIFT OF $1,250 BECOMES $2,500 TO FUND PROGRAMS, VOCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND MORE.
Match #2
FROM NOW UNTIL #GIVINGTUESDAY ON NOVEMBER 30th
All gifts between $150 and $499 will be matched at $150 and all gifts between $500 and $1250 will be matched at $500. This means that a $150 gift becomes $300 and a $500 donation provides $1,000 to continue our life skills programming for Warriors.
Increase Your Impact
Did you know that many employers match their employees’ donations? A matching contribution could double or even triple the impact of your gift.
Past donations made during the year may also still be eligible.
Don’t wait-use the search box NOW to see if your employer has a matching program.
SHOP 'N SHARE AT GOODEARTH
Our good friends at Good Earth Greenhouse & Cafe have partnered with OK to host a Shop and Share Fundraiser. The fundraiser will take place from Saturday, December 11th thru Monday, December 13th. With each purchase during this time, OK will receive 10% of the pre-tax total of each purchase. You must present a copy of THIS FLYER each time you shop.
SHOP AMAZONSMILE FOR OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
Connect your AmazonSmile account to support OK and every time you shop, a portion of select sales will be donated.
DONATE STOCK, BONDS, MUTUAL FUNDS
Donation of appreciated shares of marketable securities like stocks, bonds, and mutual funds is an attractive, tax-wise alternative to a cash contribution. Benefits to you are many. You will have lower out-of-pocket costs for your contribution. You may avoid capital gains tax by donating the appreciated securities to OK. You may take a charitable income tax deduction, as defined by law, equal to the value of the donated securities on the date the gift is irrevocably transferred to OK through its intermediary Stock Donator.
Percent Private Funding Supporting OK
Remain on a waiting list in Illinois for critical supports
Illinois Rank in Supporting Community Services
Illinois rank in avg. size residential setting
