Stand Together Challenge Campaign

GRF Launches $140,000 Matching Gifts Challenge!

AESOP'S FABLE OF THE BUNDLE OF STICKS

An old man on the point of death summoned his sons around him to give them some parting advice. He ordered his servants to bring in a bundle of sticks, and said to his eldest son: "Break it."
The son strained and strained, but with all his efforts was unable to break the bundle. The other sons also tried, but none of them was successful.
"Untie the bundle," said the father, "and each of you take a stick."
When they had done so, he called out to them:
"Now, break," and each stick was easily broken.
"You see my meaning," said their father.
Union Gives Strength

When we all STAND TOGETHER we can accomplish great things!

DO YOU STAND TOGETHER WITH YOUR GOLDEN RETRIEVER?

As the challenge donations increase, so does the crowd who STANDS TOGETHER with the Golden Retriever Foundation in support of Research, Rescue and Education. Watch our total grow! Send your feet and paws picture and join the throng. Please include at least 3 people and 2 Goldens in your picture.

TWENTY GENEROUS DONORS PLEDGE CHALLENGE FUNDS

   2008-2009 was a hard economic year for everyone, including the Golden Retriever Foundation. Rescue groups are taking in more dogs and in worse condition. GRF awarded over $100,000 in April Fund grants for veterinary care of rescued Goldens last year. GRF is pledged to support major research initiatives to combat canine cancer and other other diseases. Underwriting educational projects can be costly. But as GRF's responsibilities have increased, its income has declined with the rest of the economy.

   The STAND TOGETHER Challenge: To provide an incentive for new donations to the Golden Retriever Foundation, a group of twenty generous donors have collectively pledged to match every donation, dollar for dollar, up to $140,000. Their challenge was announced at the Golden Retriever Club of America's 2009 National Specialty and runs until September 1, 2010. Recognizing that GRF needs help from everyone who loves Goldens, whether their gift is large or small, this fund raising campaign has been named the STAND TOGETHER Challenge. It takes inspiration from the fable of the Bundle of Sticks--individually, we cannot do much, but when many, many donors combine their contributions, we can accomplish great things.

   GRF is asking its supporters to reach out to their families, friends and communities and involve as many people as possible in this campaign. Golden Retriever clubs and rescue groups can also play an important role in raising money and in spreading the word about GRF. A few suggestions for ways to participate are listed below. Only by all working together to raise money can GRF continue and increase its support of important projects and programs. It is our combined effort that will make us succeed.

Now is the time for all who love Golden Retrievers to
STAND TOGETHER for Research, Rescue and Education.

EASY WAYS TO MAKE YOUR DONATION GROW LARGER AND GO FURTHER

AT HOME

  • Keep a Spare Change for Cancer Research jar in your car or at home. See How to Make One
  • Give a flier to 3 friends with Goldens and ask them to give one to 3 friends with Goldens, and so on, and so on….
  • Ask for and give donations instead of Christmas gifts
  • Send holiday greetings by donating in honor of friends and family. GRF will send the card!
  • Celebrate your dog’s birthday, new title or other special occasion
  • Collect aluminum cans for recycling and donate the money you get for them
  • Donate in memory of a friend’s dog
  • Each time you enter a show or trial, set aside $1 for every entry to donate to GRF
  • Donate your sweepstakes winnings
  • Tell your vet about GRF and suggest donating in memory of his/her clients
  • Leave GRF brochures in your vets office for Golden owners

AT WORK

  • Suggest that Secret Santa make charitable donations this year instead of gag gifts
  • Workplace automatic giving—take a little out of each paycheck
  • Workplace matching gifts—find out if your employer will match your gift

BREEDERS

  • Donate 1% of puppy sales—for people selling $1,000 puppies, this is just $10 a puppy
  • Include a per puppy donation in your stud contract
  • Put a GRF flier in every puppy packet

GOLDEN CLUBS

  • Add $1.00 to every entry fee at your specialties, trials and WC/WCX to be donated to GRF
  • Pass around a Spare Change for Cancer Research collection jar at meetings and events
  • Make a donation to GRF in lieu of trophies at specialties
  • Hold a Q for the Cure Agility Trial
  • Donate in memory of members’ departed pets
  • Put your styling talents to good use with a Grooming Day for pet Goldens
  • Take Santa pictures after the grooming day

RESCUE GROUPS

  • Have a Spare Change for Cancer Research collection jar at meetings and events
  • Add $1.00 to every adoption or surrender fee to donate to GRF’s April Fund
  • Bring rescued Goldens to the Golden club’s Grooming Day, or hold one yourselves
  • Put a GRF flier in each adoption folder
  • Post a link to GRF on your web site

GET THE KIDS INVOLVED

It's never too early to teach children about philanthropy and concern for animals.

  • Go Trick-or-Treating or Christmas caroling with the little ones and a Spare Change for Canine Cancer jar. See How to Make One
  • Encourage children to ask for donations to GRF rather than birthday presents. They might get both!
  • Older kids can organize a workday for the animals, raking leaves, washing windows, running errands for the neighbors and family. Each worker can pick a pet to honor with his or her donation.
  • Does your child's school allow animals? Your child could give a report to his or her classmates about GRF and Golden Retrievers, with your well-behaved Golden along to assist.

MAKE A DONATION

Ready to STAND TOGETHER with GRF and make a donation? You can do it on line or through the mail by check or credit card. And Thank You for helping us improve the health and happiness of Golden Retrievers, now and in the future!

Donate on-line right now       Print the donation form (pdf)

Want more information? Need brochures? Pre-addressed donation envelopes? Need help with a fund raising project? Want to share your good ideas? We love to hear from our donors! Please e-mail GRF.