Support UPO's Foster Grandparents Program

UPO’s Foster Grandparent  (FGP) Program trains low-income Washington DC seniors to provide critical mentoring and emotional support to District children in a variety of local settings. The program provides fulfilling volunteer service opportunities for seniors 55 years and older giving them an opportunity to give back by sharing their experience and wisdom with children who value and cherish the lessons. This program operates at 48 locations in the District of Columbia and includes early education centers, public and charter schools, before and after-school programs, youth programs and hospitals. Each year, more than 200 Foster Grandparents put in more than 175,000 volunteer service hours – working one-on-one or in small groups mentoring more than 15,000 DC children. Foster Grandparents serve where the need is the greatest and because of this, our youth receive tremendous academic benefits alongside life-changing personal development.

The Foster Grandparent Program is sponsored by UPO and funded by the Corporation for National & Community Service Senior Corps (CNCS). CNCS is a Federal Government Program that provides grants to organizations committed to strengthening their communities through volunteer programs. However increasing pressure on the US Congress to reduce the burgeoning national debt by cutting budgets for entitlement programs has intensified the importance of growing fundraising for FGP from the private sector. Private foundation funding has increased in recent years and will continue to grow to replace government funding.

The funds raised by Support UPO's Foster Grandparents Program helps us to cover the cost of training, materials, uniforms, and daily travel for more than 200 low-income DC senior volunteer FGPs. These expenses are not covered by CNCS. We have a waiting list of more than 100 seniors volunteering to be FGPs, 10 educational institutions seeking to join the program and many current partner sites that have requested additional FGPs. Any expansion of the FGP program will have to be funded from private sector fundraising.

Funding for Support UPO's Foster Grandparents Program had a slow start but the past four months we have experienced a dramatic increase in support for the project! See the attached joyous gathering of Foster Grandparents.

As explained above this project is funding an important part of the FGP program budget. We are extremely grateful for the 35 donations we have received to-date totaling $2,855 and ask for your continued support. Please also help us by spreading the word about the work of our dedicated FGP’s and the kids they serve by email to your friends and family and on social media.

• Joyous gathering of Foster Grandparents (PDF)
  

Last year Giving Tuesday was a record breaker, raising over $168 million for charitable organizations worldwide. Global Giving, host of our Support UPO's Foster Grandparents Program, knows the importance of this day. That's why, this Giving Tuesday Global Giving is offering rewards to all organizations and all donors ALL DAY LONG!

The Giving Tuesday Campaign starts at 12:01am EST and ends at 23:59 pm EST on Tuesday, November 28th, 2017.

These are the Giving Tuesday prizes that Support UPO's Foster Grandparents Program can share in:                  

• There will be a $75,000 Incentive Fund we will share in depending on how much we raise.
• There will be 14 Bonus prizes up for grabs for most dollars raised and most donors donating.
• New recurring donations up to $200 started on Giving Tuesday will receive a 100% Match.

UPO's Foster Grandparents Program operates at 48 locations in the District of Columbia and includes early education centers, public and charter schools, before and after-school programs, as well as youth programs. Each year, more than 200 Foster Grandparents (FGPs) put in more than 175,000 volunteer service hours – working one-on-one or in small groups. FGPs serve where the need is the greatest and because of this, our youth receive tremendous academic benefits alongside life-changing personal development. The program is funded by the Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS). The funds raised by Support UPO's Foster Grandparents Program helps us to cover the cost of training, materials, uniforms, and daily travel for more than 200 low-income DC senior volunteer FGPs. These expenses are not covered by CNCS. In addition we have a waiting list of 100 seniors to be FGPs, 10 educational institutions seeking to join the program and every current partnering volunteer site has requested additional FGPs. The funding we receive from CNCS covers the cost of our current program. Any expansion will have to be funded from private sector fundraising.

Dear loyal supporters, we are so grateful for your support! You have helped UPO raise $2,441 during the past eighteen months to help Support UPO's Foster Grandparents Program.

We hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving, our national day to be thankful for all our blessings we receive. Giving Tuesday is our national day to give back. With all the incentives being offered by Global Giving to match your giving, Giving Tuesday is a great opportunity for you to renew your generous support for Support UPO's Foster Grandparents Program. Your generous gifts on Giving Tuesday, will provide leverage for the Global Giving incentives to increase our total funds raised Today!

With the demand for the service of Foster Grandparents bursting at the seams, your support is critical to help to expand the program to meet the demand. Please make your Giving Tuesday donation Today!

Thank you in anticipation of your generous support. UPO wishes you a Happy Holiday Season!