Progress!

Since announcing our budget shortfall, we've received over $18,000 in new gifts (toward the $100,000 deficit).  We've also received several pledges and committments that we are waiting to see formally materialize.  Its been a good start.

In an exciting turn of events, a family foundation has come forward to offer $10,000 once we have raised $20,000 from our past donor base.  So far, we've raised over $10,000 of the required $20,000, and we are confident that we will raise the rest.  Once this happens, we will be at least 40% of the way to closing the immediate gap that will allow FORGE to continue our work in 2009.  It's my belief that the first 40% is the hardest, as it is the early donors who must take the largest risk that we won't make it.

There is still a long way to go.  But we've got our nose to the grindstone, and we'll keep plugging away...

-Kjerstin Erickson

www.FORGEnow.org