Wow!  October already!  It’s that time of year when we all start to realize the year is coming to a quick end, and we think about what the next year will handle.  This morning, I was listening to CBC radio, and something during the interview that really struck me.  They were talking about the crises in Syria, and the tendency for people to “give once, and forget.”  I think this is so true: people get passionate about a single crises, and then it slowly quiets down, even though the crises doesn’t go away.

This is the truth for both our own work, and our support from others.  Every year, we set a budget at Warm Heart Initiatives.  It ranges between 6000-9000 in revenue, and 5000-14000 in expenses.  As you might guess, it took us a few years to figure out our budgeting, and we are happy to say that 2016 is the first year in which we do not have debt:  we were able to pay the final cost on a loan we got in 2012.  What a relief!  One of our goals is to be transparent in finances, keeping as much as possible for projects in Malawi, and to maintain a balanced budget.

We have had very few consistent donors (board members, family, etc.), and a good handful of one time donors.  Let me tell you: getting consistent, regular donors is far more beneficial than one time large donors.  With consistency, we do not have to become highly concerned about one time fundraising events being our main source of income, but rather use the finances for special contingency.  We consistency, we can develop relationship with the people who truly care and are interested in the work that we are doing.

Would you consider being a regular donor?  Even 25$ a month (cost of a dinner out?!?!) totals 300$ a year: something that can support a child in school for the year, pay part of a salary for our teacher, or invest in the maise needed to make a nutritious meal.

Would consider an ongoing donation? 10$, 25$ a month? As a regular donor you will be kept updated on our projects in partnership with WHEAMS in Malawi, or any time that we have an event in Canada. You will also be named on our webpage as a supporter of Warm Heart Initiatives.  We thank you in advance, and look forward to hearing from you.