A Huge & Heartfelt Thank You!
This year has been filled with tremendous obstacles and challenges, and though there is still a sense of unknown as we head into the new year, it is important to recognize that our world has made it through so much, what at times felt impossible to overcome. Through the toughness, sadness, darkness, and against the seemly impossible odds, we have also witnessed kindness, miracles, and medical successes that shouldn’t go unrecognized, including a COVID vaccine in less than a year!
In October, I shared where we stood as an organization, and the challenges facing not only us, but the nonprofit sector as a whole. I wrote that our world is under a tremendous amount of stress, and my letter wasn’t one for fundraising, but rather as a reminder to remember us when things get better. At the time, and still holding true now, we all need to take care of our communities, our families, our friends and colleagues, and all those who are depending on us.
This past summer, we were projecting a 50% - 75% loss of revenue compared to 2019, and at a time when one in three nonprofits expected to close by the year’s end, our future was unknown, though I was determined to lead this organization through the challenges we were experiencing. We are fortunate that our operating model is one that has allowed us to continue to exist without being hit hard by external factors so many other organizations are feeling, but it doesn’t make us invincible. Others are still depending on us to meet our mission initiatives of funding research and promoting stomach cancer awareness and education. This year, we put a pause on in-person fundraising events, temporarily discontinued funding for research and education while our revenue slowed, following our gift to Vanderbilt, and we have yet to visit our most recent fund recipient to see first-hand the work they are doing because of what you have made possible.
But through this all, the strategic management decisions we made, and because of the power of you and others who believe in what we are doing, we made it through 2020, a year that despite all that was against us, turned out to be our most successful fundraising year yet. We are on track for a tremendously powerful 2021, where we will be able to make our biggest impact, do more than we ever have before, and empower research that is making our world a better place. As we wrap up 2020, I want to thank everyone who has supported us, believed in our work, made everything we have done possible, and all those who have joined us in shaping a better and brighter future for our world as we work to support vital stomach cancer research for a cure. We would not be what we are today without you! You have made a future for Project Periwinkle possible, and for that, I am extremely grateful.
2020 Highlights
Expanded our Ambassador Program
Made a financial contribution to Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in May
Our largest and most successful fundraising year yet, empowering us for 2021
From all of us at Project Periwinkle, wishing you a bright, healthy, and safe Happy New Year!
Sincerely & With Hope,
Ben J. Broghammer, MBA
President & Chairman of the Board
