$100,000 Expansion Campaign garners over $77,000 in pledges in addition to a conditional pledge of $25,000 from former iContact C.E.O. and Nourish Board Chairman, Ryan Allis

April 19, 2012- Nourish International‘s National Office launched a $100,000 Fundraising Campaign in February 2012 to expand its international movement. Board Chairman, Ryan Allis, and former CEO of iContact has pledged to donate an additional $25,000 toward the Expansion Campaign if the $100,000 campaign goal is reached by June 30, 2012. Ryan Allis served as the co-founder and CEO of iContact for 9 years. iContact was acquired in late February by Vocus in a stock and cash deal worth over $169 million. Allis has pledged to support the Nourish Expansion Campaign as a gift in honor of the growth of Nourish over the past six years and hopes his gift will garner support from fellow donors.

Impetus for the campaign centers on Nourish International’s goal to expand to six additional campuses in the 2012-2013 school year. Nourish International currently works with 24 University Chapters in 14 different states. More than 500 student volunteers tackle poverty through summer projects abroad that are funded entirely through student run social ventures. Chapters will undertake 18 sustainable development projects in 12 countries this summer. The campaign will enable Nourish to grow its budget, hire additional staff, and increase the number of projects and chapters in the coming year. To date over $77,000 has been raised in the past 10 weeks towards the $100,000 goal. Contributions have come from Alumni, Students, and increased donations from annual donors.  A special thanks goes out to Ryan for his service and commitment to the Nourish movement.                 

Contact:

Kelly Leonhardt Phoenix

Chief Development Officer

Nourish International

Kelly.phoenix@nourishinternational.org

Nourish International’s Chapter Coordinator, Sarah Miller, recently attended the fifth annual Clinton Global Initiative University meeting at George Washington University in Washington, DC to represent the Nourish Movement. The Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) challenges college students to address global issues with practical, innovative solutions. CGI U members do more than simply discuss problems – they take concrete steps to solve them by building relationships, creating action plans, participating in hands-on workshops, and following up with CGI U as they complete their projects.

Speakers at the event included former President Bill Clinton, Jon Stewart of the Daily Show and the co-founder of Zipcar, Robin Chase. Sarah’s experience was shared with the office upon her return and inspired the Nourish staff to continue working hard on creating a world free of poverty. One of the memorable moments Sarah shared was Chase’s message about the importance of learning from your mistakes. “Understanding the flaws in past projects and ventures is critical to the success of Nourish. It was great to hear Robin elaborate on this important aspect of social change,” says Sarah. She also enjoyed meeting other representatives and students who are passionate about social change. It was invigorating and exciting to be surrounded by others who share the ideals and goals.

Nourish hopes to continue sending staff on professional development experiences in the coming year, including fellows and interns. Plans have already been made to create opportunities for Nourish to participate with CGIU next year.

Last October, Nourish International held the 2nd Annual Masquerade Ball: A Night in India in Durham, NC. The theme was in celebration of our connectedness as a global community and Nourish’s original project in Hyderabad, India. Thanks to all of our Board Members for your support and to Mind Works, Inc. for making the event possible.

 If you weren’t able to attend this years Masquerade Ball, check out this video created by Mind Works to get excited for next year’s event!