Trina said, "As you may or may not be aware, myself and a few close friends are participating in the Avon walk for breast cancer this year. We are doing it for family members, friends and people whom we have never met that have suffered from breast cancer. Our goal is to raise a minimum of $10,000.00! We are asking that you support the cause with whatever amount you can afford. Each donation with bring us one step closer to a cure! Your donation is tax deductable."
Please help us by visiting the Avon Foundation's website and donating to Trina Grutzius or "NWI Angels" or anyone else for that matter. All of us and those who need a cure would be eternally grateful.
The Avon Foundation places a priority on returning funds to the geographic area in which each Avon Walk takes place with a special emphasis on reaching low-income, elderly and minority individuals and those with inadequate health insurance. LIsted below are a few of the most recent grants made in the Chicago area all as a result of funds raised through the Avon Walk.
Mount Sinai Hospital (Chicago, IL) - $1,950,000 Mercy Foundation f.b.o. Mercy Hospital and Medical Center (Chicago, IL) - $1,000,000 Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center/Northwestern University and Northwestern Memorial Hospital (Chicago, IL) - $1,000,000
So where do the proceeds actually go?
According my source at Avon funds raised through the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer event series are managed by the Avon Foundation, an accredited 501(c)(3) charity, to advance access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer. The Avon Foundation supports a virtual national network of research, medical, social service and community-based organizations, each of which is making a unique contribution to helping patients or advancing breast cancer research. The Avon Foundation awards funding in breast cancer education and awareness; screening and diagnosis; access to treatment; support services; and scientific research into the possible cause, prevention, treatment and cure.
Breast cancer beneficiaries range from leading cancer centers to community-based, non-profit breast health programs. Every program and institution is selected through a rigorous review process and must satisfy strict criteria that align with the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade's mission. The Foundation makes grants only to organizations and institutions having tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
For beneficiaries in the areas of research and care, the selection is guided by the Avon Foundation's Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), which includes experts in public health and biomedical research relevant to breast cancer and breast health, and breast cancer survivor-advocates, who serve two-year terms. Community-based organizations are identified and supported by the Avon Foundation Breast Care Fund, which issues Requests for Proposals, conducts peer review of all submitted applications, and provides ongoing technical assistance and program evaluation to grantees.
The Avon Foundation funds programs in all 50 states, but a majority of the net proceeds raised through the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer are granted to breast cancer programs in the geographic areas where the Walk events are held.
A listing of benefiting organizations, audited financial results and details on the Advisory Boards can be found at http://www.avonfoundation.org/
How much money actually goes to the cause? Total Avon Foundation revenue in 2006 was $69.9 million. Expenditures, including grants for breast cancer, domestic violence and other programs, exceeded $73.7 million. Of total expenditures for the year:
79.5% was directed to mission programs and services, including grants, gifts and awards to beneficiary organizations (this is what is commonly referred to as "net return" to the cause) 3% covered management and general activities 17.5% covered fundraising expenses These results exceed philanthropic fundraising guidelines.
