NetsforLife® Inspiration Fund Matching Gift Challenge Doubles All Donations through May 25
March 29, 2012
Beginning in Lent and continuing through May 25, donors have the opportunity to make their dollars go even further toward fighting malaria in Africa. During this period, any donation made to the NetsforLife® Inspiration Fund will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $430,000, thanks to a group of generous Episcopal Relief & Development donors. This means nearly $1 million will be raised to fight malaria in sub-Saharan Africa, through the NetsforLife® program partnership.
Any size gift to the NetsforLife® Inspiration Fund – online, by mail or by phone – will be matched in full until May 25, or as long as matching funds are available. We encourage donors to also consider taking advantage of company matching programs as well.
At the 2009 General Convention, the Episcopal Church made the NetsforLife® Inspiration Fund the centerpiece of its prophetic response to the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals. The NetsforLife® Inspiration Fund is a church-wide, grassroots effort to educate, engage and unite Episcopalians to fight against malaria in the 2010-12 triennium. All Episcopalians are invited to learn more about this disease and how to prevent it, and contribute towards this important undertaking. The goal is to raise $5 million by December 2012.
“The NetsforLife® Inspiration Fund Matching Gift Challenge is an invitation for you to play a meaningful role in our global fight against malaria, and help us get to the finish line,” said Joy Shigaki, Director of the NetsforLife® Inspiration Fund and Church Campaigns for Episcopal Relief & Development. “This special springtime matching campaign highlights the importance and widespread impact of the NetsforLife® program partnership, and calls every Episcopalian to do their part in helping us stop malaria.”
NetsforLife® has been a leader in malaria prevention by distributing over 7.7 million nets and reaching over 37 million people in 17 countries in sub-Saharan Africa since 2006. The program combats malaria by educating community members about proper net use and maintenance, training community agents to deliver life-saving nets, and providing ongoing monitoring and evaluation of malaria prevention practices. These activities are carried out in partnership with churches and faith-based groups in remote areas across the continent, and result in less sickness, fewer deaths and stronger communities. To learn more about NetsforLife®’s innovative approach, the significant impacts in the field, and the gains made in malaria control, please join Episcopal Relief & Development for a special webinar on April 17, 2012, from 6:00-7:00pm EDT.
“Joining together in the fight against malaria, through NetsforLife® and the NetsforLife® Inspiration Fund, is a great way for individuals and congregations to support the Millennium Development Goals and make a real difference in communities throughout sub-Saharan Africa,” said Rob Radtke, President of Episcopal Relief & Development. “We are grateful to the donors who are providing the matching funds, for enabling us to double the impact of every gift we receive by May 25 and continue toward our goal of raising $5 million by the end of the year. The NetsforLife® program has demonstrated remarkable results year after year, and is truly deserving of the wholehearted support so many have shown.”
To have your gift matched, simply make a donation on or before May 25 to the NetsforLife® Inspiration Fund or NetsforLife® to ensure your contribution will be matched. Click here to double your impact and donate today!
Episcopal Relief & Development is the international relief and development agency of the Episcopal Church and an independent 501(c)(3) organization. The agency takes its mandate from Jesus’ words found in Matthew 25. Its programs work towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Episcopal Relief & Development works closely with the worldwide Church and ecumenical partners to help rebuild after disasters and to empower local communities to find lasting solutions that fight poverty, hunger and disease, including HIV/AIDS and malaria.
