URGENT CRISIS APPEAL
The impact of COVID19 is threatening the very existence of the Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc services. But with your help we will be able to continue providing emergency financial assistance to those service members and families in need.
April 20, 2020
Dear Friend,
This is the most important letter I have ever written. I hope you are well, safe and are adapting to the lockdown. I and the entire Board of Directors wish you the best.
I never thought I’d have to write something like this, but these are unprecedented times, and the Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc needs your help.
The Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc was established on March 18th, 2003 and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation fully recognized by the Internal Revenue Service. We provide temporary financial assistance, in the form of grants, for members of the Connecticut National Guard and Organized Militia, Retirees, and Family Readiness Groups. The Foundation has also established annual educational scholarships for Connecticut National Guard members, their spouses and children, and children of Connecticut National Guard Retirees.
Our grants are used to provide immediate, emergency financial aid such as, but not limited to; weekly care and emergency relief, food assistance, rent or mortgage payments, utilities, home health care, and some medical expenses and funeral expenses.
We rely entirely on donations, and some fundraising events to support our service members in need. During a typical year, we average 90 – 100 grant awards. However, since March 16th, when the state lockdown began, we have received over 150 inquiries from service members requesting assistance, with more coming every day. Most of these inquiries are from National Guard members who have been furloughed, laid off or lost their civilian jobs, as a result of the COVID19 crisis, and now have no income.
If these requests for assistance continue to climb, which we expect they will, I am concerned that we will quickly outstrip our resources and not be able to support our members and their families in need.
In order for us to assist these families during their time of need, we need your help. Our hope is to continue to support our Guard family as long as the need exists, but we cannot do it alone. We need your help. Won’t you please consider making a donation to the Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc? You can donate by sending a check or going to our website at www.ctngfi.org and clicking on the donate button. Your contribution is fully tax deductible and helps so many. Whether your contribution is $5 or $1,000, because the Foundation is made up entirely of volunteers, nearly all of the monies raised go directly to support our mission.
The COVID19 pandemic is having an unimaginable impact on our services and our ability to raise funds. As I said earlier, these are unprecedented times. I realize that this pandemic is affecting everyone. But if you can find it within your heart to donate, our service members and families need your help now, more than ever.
I hope that you, your family and friends are all safe as possible and I thank you for taking the time to read this. I wouldn’t be writing to you right now if it weren’t so important.
In closing, please accept the thanks of the entire Board of Directors of the Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc and the gratitude of those who have benefitted from your generosity. Remember, your contribution, no matter how large or small, helps so many.
Sincerely,
John Godburn
Executive Director
Your contribution is deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. The Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc. is recognized as a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization with the Internal Revenue Service. The Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc. did not provide any goods or services in consideration, in whole or in part, for this contribution. You should retain this letter for tax purposes.