.png)
Members, supporters, friends, and fans -
These last few years have been tough for Empact as an organization. Like many small nonprofits and organizations of all kinds and sizes, our mission has been significantly impacted by the pandemic and the steady drumbeat of evolving, tumultuous world events. While we've seen increasing demands for our services, we've experienced a simultaneous decline in small donation revenue, which, for so long, has served as the backbone of our fundraising efforts. Meanwhile, the economic conditions we're all facing have made it an ever-more competitive landscape to earn those same donations. This has made it even harder to support our operations with our traditional model and forced us to focus more on grants, institutional funding, and fee-for-service fundraising efforts.
While we've always cherished our annual gala and the opportunity to meet, see, and connect
with our wonderful donors, both new and returning, these realities have forced us to reconsider this fantastic event, especially in light of the many hours of volunteer time that go into putting on an incredible night. And so, with a heavy heart, I announce to you today that this year's gala will be Empact's last. I can't continue to ask our amazing volunteers to keep putting in the tremendous amount of time and energy it takes to put on such a magnificent event in light of these diminishing returns.
But, with every ending comes an opportunity, and the opportunity we have before us now is that we can make this Empact's best event ever! I'd love to be able to send this cherished tradition out with a bang and make it not only a night to celebrate what we've accomplished in 2023 but also to celebrate all of the galas that have come before and all of the work our volunteers have done for the world! I would love it if you all came out and helped us celebrate this end of an era with us!
So please, help us make this year's gala a swan song rather than a funeral; invite your family and friends, get dressed up, eat a great meal, dance, party, and enjoy this last great event together as we celebrate Empact's amazing volunteers, all that we have accomplished over the years, and all that our future may bring. Won't you help us make this the best party Empact has ever thrown?
I hope to see you all on the 18th!
Sincerely,
//Jake Gillanders
Executive Director