During the past month, the A. J. Fletcher Foundation
paid a total of $42,000 in grants:

Each month the A.J. Fletcher Foundation issues an internal report on the status of existing grants and the effectiveness of past commitments. These evaluations enable the Board and Staff to assess the Foundation's direction and focus.

We believe that the reports will also serve as useful tools for both the referenced organizations and for other North Carolina funders. Reviewing the methods used to address a particular social issue can help to measure the effectiveness of an organization's planning and potential for long-term stability.

The staff of the A. J. Fletcher Foundation is pleased to publish these reports as another way to serve the nonprofit community in North Carolina.

For information on current funding, Please click here.

The Duke University String School was founded in 1967 to educate young people in the art of playing stringed instruments. A grant of $3,000 was awarded to the school to provide scholarships to talented young students in need.

The study of music offers at least four basic benefits to these students:

• They develop the ability to play a stringed instrument

• They grow in self-respect

• They develop a lifelong knowledge of an ancient and continuing art form

• They develop a skill that can be used throughout their lifetime

Many of the scholarship recipients have faced some form of conflict or challenge in their lives. One requirement of the scholarship is that parents participate and assist the work of the school in some way.

Former students of the DUSS have a strong record of success. Two of the former scholarship recipients study at the NC School of the Arts, and another is the current concertmaster of the NCSA Orchestra. Two other graduates have appeared as soloist with the Greenwood Music Camp in Massachusetts.

Dorothy Kitchen directs the school.

hYou can find the Duke University String School at: http://www.duke.edu/web/DUSS

The NC Center for Nonprofits was awarded $120,000 over three years to establish the Nonprofit Technology Initiative, a program designed to strengthen the capacity of nonprofits in the use of technology.

The goals outlined in the original grant proposal were the following:

• To assist at least 300 nonprofits with technical support
• To refine and expand Tech Support for Non-Profits: A Resource Directory. This directory was designed to help organizations tap access the best local, state and national resources available.
• To create opportunities for nonprofits to leverage technology related expertise and resources from the government and business sectors.
• To expand technology-related training and support to nonprofits statewide.
• To assist the A.J. Fletcher Foundation in its emerging role as a technology grantmaker.
• To assess each activity for continual feedback and improvements.

By the end of the second year of the grant, the following goals had been achieved:

• A total of 528 tech-related entries have been added to the Tech Support for Non-Profits Resource Directory.
• Cisco Systems convened a group of statewide nonprofits working on technology issues in order to strengthen their internal capacity through partnerships with Cisco and each other.
• The W.K. Kellogg Foundation created a partnership to conduct an on-line survey to help non-profits define their needs and experience with internet-based services.
• Creation of an electronic discussion forum for individuals in nonprofits and in companies that work with nonprofits. Since its launch in January, 212 people have interacted with their colleagues across the state to exchange ideas, learn about new tools and receive support.
• Three technology-related sessions were presented at the Center’s 2000 Statewide Conference in Raleigh.
• The Center’s “Board and Staff Helpline” continues to be a resource to non-profits on a range of technology-related issues.

In the first two years of the Fletcher Foundation-funded Initiative, the Center has provided customized assistance to 410 nonprofits and technology information to an additional 1,400 organizations nationwide.

You can find the Center for Nonprofits at:
http://www.ncnonprofits.org/

The Foundation awarded funding to Old Salem to help restore and conserve its 1800 Tannenburg Organ. Stored in Old Salem since 1910, the instrument is considered by many historians to be one of the most valuable American pipe organs in existence. Once the restoration is complete the organ will be installed in the Old Salem Heritage Education Center.

The Foundation’s grant enabled Old Salem to sign a contract with the restoration firm of Taylor and Boody to begin the rebuilding process. In the summer of 1999 the organ was moved to the firm’s studio in Staunton, Virginia, where it will be refurbished. Renowned Swiss organ technician Christof Metzler will assist with the restoration during the fall of 2001. It is projected that work will continue until the end of 2003, at which time the organ will be returned to Old Salem.

Old Salem reports that the Foundation’s support had an added benefit: two other major donors have become interested in the restoration project as a result of the grant.

The Foundation makes an annual contribution of $20,000 to Southeastern to enable the school to fund stipends for adjunct faculty positions in North America Home Missions. The Fletcher Foundation is the only source of income for this program.

You can find Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary at:
http://www.sebts.edu/

The Partnership’s goals for this grant were to:

• Strengthen its technology resources and thus improve communication among the citizens of Wake County.
• Manage and enhance its fund development capabilities.
• Develop a database management tool.
• Create an electronic newsletter.
• Improve internet capability for prospect research.
• Engage key community stakeholders in strategic planning and support solicitation.
• Raise the goal for Annual Fund contributions

The board of the A.J. Fletcher awarded $120,000 to the Partnership to help achieve these goals. During the grant period, the organization has been able to:

• (In the 1st year)
  • Exceed its previous highest campaign by securing $910,000.
  • Expand the number of annual fund donors from 3,786 to 4,219, an increase of 11%.
  • Increase the number of campaign volunteers to over 500 individuals.
  • Every major gifts campaign targeted strategic school reform initiatives.
  • Technology installed improved donor tracking, gift acknowledgement, event management and prospect research.
• (In the 2nd year)
  • Continue to exceed previous year’s campaign by securing $1,008,00.
  • Increase annual donors to 4,576.
  • Establish collaborative efforts in over 100 community agencies.
  • Recruit over 1,000 volunteers to work on campaign and program committees.
  • Enhance technological capability to integrate internal network and database manager.

The Partnership summarizes the impact of Fletcher Foundation funding by stating that this grant enabled the organization to establish a solid, sustainable development program.

You can find Wake Education Partnership at:
http://www.wakeedpartnership.org/