Development/Fundraising Overview Our development and communication department is in the business of connecting Hammer’s values with the values of others. We are constantly developing relationships with people who believe in our services and reputation and who make gifts so that all of those we serve can live full lives. Our fund raising and communication strategies include: •
Discoveries Newsletters – Spring, Fall and Winter. This publication is used to communicate with all of our family members, volunteers, donors, vendors etc.
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Annual Report - mailed mid-year to recap the previous year
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Spring and Fall Appeals - typically include a request to fund a specific project
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A remittance envelope is included in each of our mailings to encourage each recipient to our undesignated fund or to a personally valued fund or project. Our annual fundraiser in the summer or fall typically includes a dinner and/or party with 350 + participants. We also participate in other community events like J.J. Hill Days in Wayzata in an effort to gain visibility and bring new relationships to Hammer.
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Our recently revised web site and new e-communications plan will play a significant role in communicating with family members, volunteers and other contributors to Hammer.
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Individual donor meetings occur throughout the year with those closest to Hammer. Family members are among those who we care most about and take time to meet with on an individual basis.
Fund Breakdown We encourage donors to designate their gifts and choose among six different funds including: Undesignated Fund These funds are used where there is the greatest need for those served. Of all the ways to give, this fund allows us the most flexibility to fulfill our mission. Home Improvement Fund Hammer has an ongoing need for funds to make repairs and improvements to each home to meet the special needs of the people we serve. Home Development Fund There are still families and individuals with disabilities waiting for services. Contributing to this fund helps to build and buy new homes for individuals still in need. (NOTE: In
2009, Minnesota put in place a moratorium on the development of new 4-person homes like we operate, but we still need to plan for future development). Staff Training and Education Fund This fund offers educational grants and training for Hammer’s dedicated staff members to gain knowledge in order to provide optimal services for the people we serve. Quality of Life Fund The Quality of Life Fund is a resource for individual residents, especially those whose families who cannot help them financially. Contributing to this fund is one important way to assure that all members of the Hammer family have the resources to live full lives. Endowment Funds Through dollars earned from Hammer's Endowment Funds, we are able to develop programs, cover unexpected costs, and resolve challenging issues. Donors can make outright as well as planned gifts to the endowment funds.
Giving to Hammer There are a number of ways you can donate to Hammer. You can visit our website at https://www.hammer.org/get-involved/give. You can also mail a check directly to Hammer or call and talk with one of the development team members to give a credit card over the phone. Thank you for your support! If you would like to know more about how our fundraising and communication efforts support our mission, please contact Ellen Timmerman-Borer at 952-277-2433 or ellen@hammer.org.