Page 33 - 20-21 Annual Report

LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR OF
Advancement

Dear Cor Jesu Community,

The last year was marked by more than
a few “I don’t think I’ll ever forget”
moments. But one that I know I’ll never roughly $500,000 – and that's just
forget is the evening of February 6, 2021. one example. Over the course of the
The night of Cor Jesu’s annual auction. year, we brought in nearly $1 million
We had no idea what would happen in Annual Fund gifts and Endowment
with the all-virtual format. To be pledges (including $250,000 from
honest, we spoke of our goals only our Auction Fund-a-Need).
in whispers, because we didn’t think You have shown us what’s possible. Now
we could expect to achieve them. it’s up to us to use the lessons of 2020-
But then February 6 came. About a half- 2021 to make 2021-2022 even better.
dozen of us were gathered in a small Inspired by your commitment to financial
studio in Brentwood – double-masked aid, we will once again dedicate Giving
and holding our breath. Fund-a-Need Tuesday to the Annual Fund, our primary
started. Donations came in. We breathed source of financial aid. The annual day of
a small sigh of relief. The minutes ticked giving takes place the first Tuesday after
past, and the donations kept coming in. Thanksgiving – mark your calendars for
Pouring in. By the hundreds of dollars. By November 30! This community raised
the thousands! I think my mask was the $240,000 on Giving Tuesday in 2020. We
only thing keeping my jaw off the floor. hope to increase that to $275,000 in 2021.
We started the night with an ambitious Meanwhile, we are working to reimagine
goal of raising $150,000 for financial various events to meet the needs of
aid. We ended the night with nearly this extraordinary community. The
$250,000 in donations and pledges. virtual auction pulled support from
Now that we've managed through coast-to-coast and generated greater
so many of the hardships, the participation than ever before. We look
challenges and the frustrations, it’s to replicate that level of participation
easier to see the last year in a different and enthusiasm as we plan for 2022!
light. It really was inspirational. A year ago, I didn’t know how we would
This community came together, even make it to this point. Today, I am not only
though we couldn’t be together. Over amazed by what we accomplished, but
1200 people watched the Auction on so very optimistic for the year ahead.
YouTube (480 attended in 2020); 880 Sincerely,
people purchased an item, bought a
raffle ticket or donated to Fund-a-Need
(compared to 258 in 2020), including
alumnae from states as distant as New Abby Samel
York and Arizona. Auction grossed Director of Advancement

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