www.kftc.org | September 9, 2020
Balancing the Scales | 3
We’re moving closer to our vision – let’s keep it going! To KFTC members and friends: Thanks for your commitment to justice and the many ways in which you support KFTC. Because of our shared vision and collective work, we’re moving closer to the Kentucky we all envision and deserve. And this year – election year when so much is at stake – our work is more important than ever.
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KFTC made a decision and commitment several years ago to connect our issue work to our electoral work. We did so because our democracy works best when we all can participate and when elected leaders work with us to create the Kentucky we want. KFTC also works best when all of our members participate. Because many KFTC members have invested in building grassroots power over almost four decades, we’ve received grants that helped us expand our work and grow into the organization we are today. We have more organizers working in their communities than ever before. We’ve expanded our voter work, and through New Power PAC we’re endorsing candidates who share our vision.
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We are a member-led organization, meaning our membership sets the direction of our work as well as funds it. We give our time and our money. We’re grateful for grants and the work they make possible, but the heartbeat of KFTC is us. We’ve had an increase in grants and major gifts, but fewer people renewed their membership in 2019 than in 2018. We’re making it work, but we need to reverse this trend. To be truly member-led, we need many more of us renewing our membership and asking others to join and give to KFTC. Having our own money – grassroots member donations – allows us to continue being an independent voice for ourselves. We must continue to organize ourselves and recruit new folks to join us. I work for myself and have a one-person household income. I just started receiving a small contribution from social security benefits for my children. I do not own my own car. I’ve been late on my rent twice in the past 18 months and have had to seek community support to pay my utilities a couple of times. I’m not rich. But I became a Sustaining Giver to KFTC – giving $5 a month. I believe in our work and know that it’s one of the best investments I make every month. I invite you too to become a Sustaining Giver at whatever level is comfortable for you. This election might be the most important of our lifetime. Our preferred candidate didn’t win the primary race, but our goal remains the same. We’ll continue engaging voters and building a powerful base of Kentuckians who can elect better leaders up and down the ballot. It takes resources to do this. Contributions from our members allow us to build grassroots power, lean in to elections, and create the Kentucky we all deserve. Will you renew your membership and consider becoming a Sustaining Giver? Or join KFTC if you’re not already a member? Sincerely, Cassia Herron KFTC Chairperson P.S. Once you’re a Sustaining Giver, your membership will renew each year automatically. And if you can’t become a Sustaining Giver, make a gift now and make another gift next year.
