Reflection Point 2021
A MESSAGE FROM SCOTT NORDSTROM | GO! President & Founder
There are four important processes that we go through this time of year (4th Quarter) that I would like to share with you.
The first thing that we do is go through a review of each of our initiatives and partnerships to better understand the costs, assess the impact, uncover what needs remain unmet, document best practices, and to determine what adjustments are needed when things are not happening as planned. We do plan to continue with each of our current partners in the New Year with a few minor adjustments.
The second process is working through a budget for 2022. This is a challenging process as we attempt to boldly move through doors that are open to us, while considering our current resources and future funding possibilities.
For example, based on funding through September we put together a buget based on $500,000 in expected resources for 2022. A second look this month based on funding data being available through November requires us to make contingency plans for $300,000 in resources for 2022. Lastly, based on recent conversations with new funding partners for the ministry we are considering how we might ramp-up to Feeding 5,000 next year. This budget is $900,000 and growing at this point.
You can see how our budget planning is a moving target with the key variable being availability of resources, and how this uncertainty might complicate our relationship with current and potential partners in the field.
The third important task undertaken in the fourth quarter is partner assessments as we consider new field partners that we may engage in 2022. We have had dialogue with potential ministry partners in Egypt, Ethiopia, Haiti, India, Kenya, Nepal, South Sudan, and the West Bank over the last sixty days. Some of these involve brand new connections and others are friends of the ministry going back years. While we do have plans to launch the Great Commandment Workshop in 2022 in both India and Kenya, many of these other areas of need will have to wait until we have a better understanding of our resource availability.
Lastly, our End of Year Giving campaign plays a vital role in how we might journey forth in the New Year. This month's giving will be extremely important. and here is why:
2021 Funding Jan-Sep vs. 2020 Jan-Sep - increased by $50,448 or 36%
2021 Funding Oct-Nov vs. 2020 Oct-Nov - decreased by $51,507 or 59%
So, while we experienced 29% growth in funding in 2020, growth in funding this year is flat after a disappointing October and November. The bigger challenge is that our expenses are up in 2021 by $124,210, or 64%, which has reduced most of the cash reserves that we started the year with. We continue to push our resources to the field, and this is only confirmed with our increase in field costs of $114,099, or 84%.
We can provide you with what we think happened over the last several months, but for now it is history and best left in the past. The summation is simple; we have served an average of 1,273 more children each month in 2021 which is an 80% over last year, and our funding hasn't kept pace.
Most ministries would not share this level of detail as it is not good news, nor does it inspire hope for 2022, but I truly believe that this is a Movement of FAITH which means there is something bigger at play here. In addition, there are many of us (over 300) engaged in this work! God has invited us into His story to serve precious children and we will be obedient to this task at whatever level.
Fundraising 101 instructs me to sell the "Vision". We do have a vision of Feeding 5,000 which we have shared with you over the last year, but this is more than fundraising. This is about children in need, some on the brink of life or death. This is not a situation where we are the organization, and you are the donors. No, this is a network of like-hearted adventurers journeying forward to bless orphan children based on our faith. We accomplish this work at whatever level God wants as He provides. Amen!
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Global Orphan Relief (GO) has been serving orphaned children since 2005. We have accomplished this work to date through local partners in each country that provides oversight and distribution of care.
Scott Nordstrom leads GO! today and was a co-founder when we launched in 2005. Scott has served with GO! for 16-years and has been responsible in deploying 160 volunteers on 25 teams to the mission field. He has personally served in DR Congo, India, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, South Sudan, and Zambia since 2005. Scott has also spoke in the United States, as well as, internationally regarding child welfare and matters of faith, hope, and love.
You may send support or other correspondence to Global Orphan Relief, 16352 Prairie Farm Cir, Parker, CO 80134 or you may give also give electronically at Support the Global Orphan Relief Children or you may give on this website at the upper righthand corner under ‘Donate’.
Movement of FAITH | Voice of HOPE | Act of LOVE
Global Orphan Relief is a Christian relief agency serving Orphans in need and a recognized U.S. public charity, tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3). All donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law.