Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Indianapolis Legal Aid Society is making a final push in its 2014 holiday dollar campaign, hoping to entice late donors and surpass the record amount donated during the 2013 effort.
To date, the 2014 campaign has brought in $126,800, according to ILAS general counsel John Floreancig. The nonprofit is hoping to reach $160,000 by the end of January which would top the 2013 result of $156,000.
Floreancig said he is very pleased by the response so far especially since the average donation is slightly higher than in past campaigns.
He admitted he was a little worried at the start of the annual fundraiser because the agency deviated from tradition. Instead of including a dollar bill with the solicitation letter, ILAS inserted a mock $100 bill drawn by Indianapolis Star Cartoonist Gary Varvel.
The nonprofit has had to step up its campaign efforts since the United Way of Central Indiana announced it would be decreasing its support. Two years ago, ILAS received about 51 percent of its annual budget from the United Way, but in 2015 it will get just 35 percent.
ILAS Board President Ron Walker is also pleased with the level of contributions and thinks the 2014 campaign could end with a total of $200,000. The agency’s work and ability to help a client for roughly $100 is resonating with donors, he said.
Walker said the change from using an actual dollar bill caused some apprehension but the feedback has been positive. Donors have told Walker they love the caricatured money.
Please enable JavaScript to view this content.