Nurture 15 At-Risk Atlanta Preschoolers for a Year

Dear Friend of Sheltering Arms,

Every December, we are overwhelmed with the generosity of friends who share with our children during this season of giving.  Thousands of toys and books are collected by school groups, businesses, and at special holiday parties.  Financial contributions made in honor of loved ones will help provide child care tuition scholarships for our children in the new year.  Volunteers share their time to play the part of Santa's elves in our classrooms, or donate household items to families who are struggling after tragedies like housefires and illness.  These gifts from the community give our children holiday memories to cherish.  We are so grateful.

There are so many deserving requests for help at this time of year.  We recently ran across a Money Magazine article that gave five questions to help donors decide where their gifts can make the biggest difference.  As a friend and supporter of Sheltering Arms through Global Giving, we thought you'd like to know how we measure up on these questions.

1. Does the IRS recognize Sheltering Arms as a charity?  Yes.  Donations to Sheltering Arms are tax-deductible. 
2. How long have you been around?  Sheltering Arms was founded in 1888 and has been in operation continuously for the past 123 years.
3. What percent of my donation will go to charitable works?   92 cents of every dollar donated to Sheltering Arms goes directly to serve children and families.
4. Do you have a year's worth of working capital?  Even during the recession, Sheltering Arms has ended every fiscal year with a balanced budget and a slight surplus which is reinvested into our program.  With an annual budget of more than $25 million, we have approximately five months of working capital on hand.  Our diverse funding base includes a healthy mix of private contributions (individuals, foundations, special events), government grants, and earned income from more than 67 different sources.  This gives us the flexibility and resiliency to continue providing quality services even in a tough economy.  At present, we have raised more than 40% of the goal of $10 million in our Teach Today>Reach Tomorrow campaign, which will provide additional capital and reserve funding to strengthen our financial position.  Sheltering Arms owns or has rent-free long-term lease agreements for 15 of our 16 centers.
5. Are you slashing services this year?  No; we're actually serving more children than ever.  While the recession has affected some of our funding sources and required some creative problem solving and belt tightening measures, we actually are serving more children in 2011 than in the previous year.  Changing demographics and demand and decreases in funding necessitated the closing of our Rockdale county center.  That was offset, however, by the relocation and expansion of one of our Gwinnett county centers and small increases in Pre-K class sizes.  Many of the children and staff affected by the Rockdale closure relocated to other Sheltering Arms centers.

Because of supporters like you, Sheltering Arms is stable and growing during this tough economy when more families than ever need our services.  Thank you so much for what you have done in 2011 to make this possible.  We hope your new year is full of the same joy and hope you have shared with the thousands of children and families served by Sheltering Arms.

Peace on Earth,

Paige

Links:

• Sheltering Arms' Website
• Money Magazine 5 Questions to Evaluate Charities

• New Sheltering Arms Brochure (PDF)