The staff at Dakota Medical Foundation do a phenomenal job getting local non-profits ready for the annual Giving Hearts Day!  As I’m sure you know, every February for the past 10 years, Giving Hearts Day has helped to raise millions of dollars in support of the good work being done across the Valley by non-profit organizations large and small.

This year, I have seen the behind the scenes preparation work for myself, because Life 97.9 is participating for the very first time.  I can tell you, it’s more than just setting a date and creating a website!  Months ahead of time, the folks at DMF are training the leadership and staff at local non-profits not only how to raise funding, but how to be the most effective organization they can be.  Everything from the work of the board of directors and executive directors, to the principles that should underlie the fundraising process, are taught in a very understandable way.

I am no stranger to fundraising.  Life 97.9 has been around for over 60 years, and from the very beginning, we have relied on the generosity of our listeners to stay on the air.  I can tell you… everyone who participates, including me, learns from this process.  It would be especially helpful for those who have a vision for meeting a particular need in our community, but don’t know how to set up an organization to help meet that need.  It’s like a graduate course on business management for non-profit organizations.

I hope you’re planning to look through the many organizations on Giving Hearts Day at www.givingheartsday.org, and make some generous contributions.  Naturally, I hope Life 97.9 is a part of your giving this year, but don’t stop with us!  So much good and important work is done in our community, and so many people are helped by these organizations, that we all need to do our part to support them.

Be a Giving Heart this February 11th!

Yours in Christ,
Doug Smith
Station Manager