Public Awareness & Donor Outreach

A growing number of grassroots organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa use community-based solutions to effectively address the impact of HIV/AIDS on children and families. The Firelight Foundation is committed to making sure that these organizations receive the attention they deserve. Our outreach activities strive to raise awareness, inspire action, and increase the funds available for this important work.

Through events and publications, Firelight offers friends and supporters virtual access to remote locations, enabling them to learn how grassroots groups ensure the future of their communities by strengthening the safety net for children. Showing the impact of small grants given directly to community-based organizations, Firelight’s Public Awareness and Donor Outreach activities help donors participate in an effective form of philanthropy.

PUBLICATIONS
In April 2004, Firelight published and distributed its first annual report. Our Annual Report, First Four Years: 2000-2003 offers a comprehensive overview of our work and programs and has been a resounding success with grantees, foundations, donors, and the general public.

Our 2004 annual calendar, entitled Children’s Rights, was distributed to Firelight donors, peer organizations, and grantee-partners. Each calendar month used images of children and caregivers to highlight a different need or right of children.

In November 2003, we produced our first video, Stories from Kenya, featuring the achievements of a Firelight grantee-partner, the Rural Education and Economic Enhancement Program (REEP) of Butula, Kenya. The video tells the story of a grassroots organization transforming a rural Kenyan community. Through the words of REEP’s director, staff, volunteers, community members, and youth participants, viewers learn about the programs, including income-generating activities, home-based care, and school assistance, that have made a difference in the lives of many children and their caregivers. The video was a team effort, filmed and produced by Firelight Board Member Jim Hayes with the help of co-founder David Katz and others.

EVENTS
Our video, Stories from Kenya, was the centerpiece of Firelight’s first multimedia fundraiser in December 2003 held at the home of Gaurav Garg and Komal Shah. The successful event raised over $300,000 and brought together staff, Advisory Board members, donors, volunteers, and other friends for an evening of presentations and discussion about the power of grassroots initiatives.

In March of 2004, at the home of John and Shari Levitt, Firelight celebrated its eighth grantmaking round. Betty Gahima, coordinator of Benishyaka Association in Rwanda, spoke briefly about her efforts to ensure that children who have lost their parents to genocide, war, and HIV/AIDS attend high school by providing scholarships.

In June 2004, Firelight hosted “Open House: Spotlight on Zambia” featuring the work of several of our grantee-partners in Zambia. Beatrice Chola, director of the Bwafano Home Based Care Programme, presented Bwafwano’s model of integrated care and support for HIV/AIDS-affected families.

In September 2004, Joop Rubens was hired as Communications and Development Officer and charged with expanding public awareness efforts, as well as strengthening and diversifying our funding base.

FIRELIGHT FRIENDS TAKE ACTION
Firelight celebrates our growing circle of friends, many of whom have taken the initiative to raise money in their own communities and networks to further the Firelight Foundation’s grantmaking efforts. One hundred percent of all contributions to Firelight go to funding programs that help children orphaned or made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS. We commend each of the following individuals for raising awareness as well as money. You serve as an inspiration to us and others – thank you!

Cathy Aronson biked 4,000 miles across the United States, raising over $13,000 from 64 donors.

Holly Burkhalter organized a party at her home in Washington D.C. to benefit Firelight. Together with her sister Kathy Lockard, they inspired donations of over $2,000 from about 90 guests.

Nafia Tasmin Din raised $675 from friends and colleagues by introducing them to Firelight’s work and to the growing need for the programs Firelight supports.

Holli Munro, a student at Western Michigan University, won a contest when she spoke about Firelight during her public speaking class and inspired all 28 of her classmates to donate to Firelight.

Bill Dalo collaborated with fellow musicians and produced a fundraising CD called The Sounds of Newport Beach, 2004. CDs can be purchased for $10.00 by contacting Bill Dalo at bdalo@advancedintegrationinc.com or by phone at +1 (714) 319-1119. 100% of the proceeds go to Firelight.

AWARDS
The founders of the Firelight Foundation, Kerry Olson and Dave Katz, received the 2004 Children Affected by AIDS Foundation (CAAF) Ribbon of Dreams® Award. The Ribbon of Dreams® Award, established in 1998, is awarded to individuals and corporations who have done exemplary work caring for children, especially children affected by AIDS.

Our Annual Report, First Four Years: 2000-2003 received a Gold Award in the Annual or Biannual Reports category of the 2005 Wilmer Shields Awards for Excellence in Communications, a program of The Council on Foundations.

Firelight’s 2004 calendar received the Gold Award for Superb Craftsmanship in Production from the San Francisco Gallery of Superb Printing.

INFORMATION
For more information on how you can become involved with the Firelight Foundation, please refer to the Make a Difference section of this report (page 89) or contact Joop Rubens at joop@firelightfoundation.org.