How recurring, monthly donations help Light Up Hope to do its work

Why are recurring monthly donations so important to nonprofits, and how do they help us to do our work?

Have you asked the question: Why should I set-up a recurring donation? Can’t I just wait for the annual gala fundraiser or the Christmas giving campaign and make a single, lump-sum donation, then?

Because we support students and their families year-round, monthly budgeting is key to effectively running our programs. Receiving donations each month allows us to better plan for both the short-term as well as for the future. If we have a significant number of recurring donations, we do not have to wait for the annual fundraiser in the spring to set goals to maintain our programs at current levels, or even, to expand and strengthen the reach and impact of our work, by:

• accepting and supporting new K-12 students,
• informing our high schoolers of available spots in our university program,
• initiating planned, but as of yet, unfunded, services like the community feeding component of our LIFT program.

For example, in the fall, our senior high school students are taking their final term exams for graduation. These students will be waiting for word from us before planning their next steps. But, as it stands now, we cannot offer spots for new students in our Joseph’s House program for university and trade school students until we complete the year-end Christmas giving campaign.

More month-to-month contributions would help us to dedicate funds to a consistent number of openings for graduating seniors to continue their educational paths. Moreover, knowing that opportunities are available helps to motivate and encourage our students. They would know that something more might be possible if they work hard, in high school.

Similarly, K-8 students receiving support to attend school via our LIFT, family unification program, are eligible to join our high school program, if space is available. Having more opportunities for these students rewards their hard work and provides a path of out of poverty otherwise unavailable to them.

Finally, our LIFT program combats the forces of poverty that can split families apart. We seek to provide regular monthly support with food, education, and health care for families in specific areas of need in rural Kibingoti and urban Nairobi. These funds help with the daily expenses that can be so overwhelming and hard for impoverished families to bear.

For example: A contribution to this program might help pay school fees for an impoverished child. Or, your donation might help to purchase medicines for a much-needed medical clinic for children in rural Kibingoti or the urban slum of Kwa Njenga in Nairobi. Or, you might help to ensure that an enrolled child receives at least 1 meal per day. Many (if not all) children in our urban LIFT communities come to, and leave, school, hungry every day.

We would like to fulfill our commitment to our students, and their families, by stabilizing the numbers of students supported by our programs each year. Should donations received exceed our goals, we would be in the fortunate position of expanding the reach of our life-changing work.

In sum: Monthly contributions are ones that we, and the students and families that we support, can count on.

What amount should I give, in my recurring monthly donation?

Did you know that impacting the life of an impoverished Kenyan child takes just a small commitment? Consider that:

• $1 per day buys lunch for a child in Nairobi’s Kwa Njenga slum.
• Just under $3 per day supports a high school student at boarding school.
• $3 per day plus some change pays tuition and fees for a university or trade school student.

What does that mean for me? How much should I give each month to support these efforts?

• The monthly amount to provide school lunch for 1 child is $30.
• To fully support a high school student at boarding school, your recurring donation would be $85 each month.
• To pay tuition and fees for a university or trade school student (our Joseph’s House program), your recurring donation would be $100 each month.

What does being a monthly donor mean? What benefits will I receive?

When you contribute monthly, you will become a part of a dedicated group of donors committed to bringing hope to children and youths in Kenya and lighting a path out of poverty. Those giving to our high school and Joseph’s House programs, receive quarterly email newsletters with all the latest from the students you’re directly impacting. Those giving to our LIFT, family unification, program receive monthly email newsletters about the specific communities you’re impacting in our 3 focus areas: rural Kibingoti and the urban areas of Umoja and the Kwa Njenga slum, both in Nairobi. These special, targeted communications will keep you up-to-date on specific events and milestones for the students and families you’re assisting.

We pray you will make the commitment to join us in doing this critical work for the long-term. We are impacting individual lives in communities of great need, and we want you to be our partner in this important journey.