Fundraising is hard.
It’s not something I ever imagined being part of my role when we started FabNewport. I’ve had different kinds of sales experience over the years—selling clothing, even making cold calls for Greenpeace—but nothing quite prepares you for asking people to give their own hard-earned money to support a nonprofit.
And yet, people do.
They give generously. They give with their hearts. And it never stops amazing me how often—and how deeply—people are willing to step up.
Year after year, somehow, we raise what we need to support the kids. That in itself feels remarkable.
On the morning of 401 Gives, I woke up already tired. The number was sitting there: 200 donors to unlock $23K. It felt big. Maybe a little too big.
The day ahead was full—preparing for our retreat, meeting with partners, working through details with the team. I tried not to check my phone. I didn’t want to ride the emotional rollercoaster of watching the numbers tick up (or not).
But something was happening.
Momentum was building.
And by the time I went to bed on day 1, we had reached 187 donors.
That number stopped me.
It brought tears to my eyes—not because of the number itself, but because of what it represents. Each one of you choosing to show up. To give. To believe in what we’re building together.
And then… you kept going.
By the end of the campaign on Wednesday at 6pm, 269 people said, “we’re in,” and made a donation.
Remarkable. Beautiful.
Because of you, kids in our community will have access to the relationships, opportunities, and experiences that help them grow, take risks, and see what’s possible in their lives.
There’s so much gratitude here.
Thank you.