Every year, Rifles to Rods budgets out the Fishing is Therapy program and in addition to donations, we write a number of grants to support it. Shout out to our Board Member, Carolyn Wester for her masterful and creative ideas. Fortunately, we have been very lucky to be supported by some amazing organizations, like the Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation. In the past, we have received funding from the foundation and this year the foundation donated $415,975 to local nonprofits and Rifles to Rods was the recipient for their $20,000 Capacity Building Grant.
The foundation was established by Middlesex Savings Bank and has been donating to local nonprofits, services and programs since 2000. In total, the foundation has given out $14 million to organizations that make an impact on the local community. There are a number of grants eligible for nonprofits, and the Capacity Building Grant is the one Rifles to Rods applied for.
The Capacity Building Grant funds initiatives designed to strengthen and increase the impact of local nonprofits. Some of the desired outcomes for this grant are, improved management systems and practices, improved, expanded or additional services and improved governance and leadership.
Rifles to Rods plans to use the $20,000 in a number of ways. Since we are all volunteers at Rifles to Rods and each of us have other day jobs, it can sometimes be difficult and time consuming to schedule and manage events. Which is one of the most important tasks we have. Some of this money will be allocated to purchasing a new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform that can book, schedule and manage veterans that take part in our Fishing is Therapy (FIT) program. In addition to the CRM platform, we have expanded the FIT program, adding additional events and trips. Rifles to Rods strives to provide high quality trips for each participant and it can get very pricey, but with some of these funds we will be able to reach and affect more veterans.
In the last 6 years, our program has grown exponentially and with growth means more veterans receiving therapy through fishing. Rifles to Rods is lucky to have the support of amazing organizations like the Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation and with that we THANK YOU!
