I am pleased to announce that in an effort to help us raise $50,000 by the end of December, a number of generous donors have offered to match donations to IFI all the way up to $25,000 dollars! So between now and December 31st, you can double the impact of your giving!
As we approach the end of 2013 and reflect on perhaps our busiest year to date, I cannot help but think what a tragic year it’s been in public policy for conservative people of faith. There were historic disappointments this past year, and we had front row seats to watch as Illinois slipped further down the proverbial slippery slope.
Despite relentless attacks on the natural family, we continue to trust that God is at work in our lives, in our communities, and in his church. This year more than ever, I am grateful to have all of you as a partners in this fight.
“We are hard pressed on every side,
but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair…”
~2 Corinthians 4:8
There will be tremendous opportunities for continued impact and real change in 2014. It is only through your support that we are able to work tirelessly to promote pro-family views. We must continue to stand up to the attacks on our civil rights of speech, religion, and parental rights. The challenges facing Illinois are serious. Untangling the mess our feckless lawmakers have put us in will be difficult, and we have no reason to expect that the attacks against the fundamental truths concerning life, marriage, faith, decency, and the natural family will cease or diminish.
It is clear that the Illinois Family Institute is needed now more than ever.
In the media, in churches, in the halls of government, and in places of business, IFI will boldly speak out for faith and family in the midst of a state dominated by out-of-touch politicians, corrupt bureaucrats, far-left media pundits, and agenda-driven educators who are deeply hostile to the truths about faith and families.
Please help support IFI’s important work & ministry.
As we enter the New Year, our immediate focus will be on producing and distributing the popular IFI Voter Guide to help voters across the state make informed decisions about candidates running for governor, Congress, and the General Assembly. The primary election in March and the general election in November will be on the front burner here in Illinois 2014. Your support of IFI will help extend our reach far and wide.
But more than that, end-of-year gifts help to carry IFI well into the next year. This funding coupled with your prayers and words of support affirm to us that the work of IFI is valued and vital to pro-family efforts in Illinois.
The rules of the Year-End Matching Grant are simple. Any donation we receive from now until December 31st will be doubled up to the $25,000 limit (donations postmarked Dec. 31st will count). If your tax-deductible donation is $50, we will receive $100; if you give $100 we will receive $200 and so on. If you have the ability to give us a $1,000 or larger donation, that too will be matched. If we receive $25,000 in donations by the deadline we will qualify for the full grant, thus raising $50,000 in the last three weeks of the year.
The Year-End Matching Grant is IFI’s most popular giving program and provides for a major portion of our operating budget. Your willingness to double your donation by giving to IFI today is what makes it possible for us to continue to fight for our values here in the state where we live, work, and raise our children and grandchildren.
As we seek the good Lord’s guidance and direction in our work and ministry to bring a Christian perspective to public policy (which, by the way, is constitutional), we ask that you stand alongside us prayerfully and financially. Illinois families are worth it. Your family, children, and grandchildren are worth it.
Faith, family, freedom: No other organization in Illinois fights for them like IFI. It’s why many of you have given to us in the past. And it’s why I hope everyone reading this email will answer my plea by doubling your donation to the one pro-family group in our state who can take the fight to our opponents.
It’s what we do. It’s why we’re here. But we cannot do it without your help! Please double our ability to fight for you by giving today to our Year-End Matching Grant Campaign Drive.
Click here to double your tax-deductible donation to Illinois Family Institute!
There is so much more we need to do to create a family-friendly Illinois that will be a blessing to our children and grandchildren. At this time of year, when we normally raise a major portion of our annual budget, will you help us continue to fight for the future of the family? We want to restore a pro-marriage and pro-family culture to our state for the sake of our children and generations to come. By giving today, you can help make it happen.
Please consider how you can help us begin 2014 from a place of strength.
We appreciate all that you do, and ask for your continued prayers and participation. Thank you for your support! We look forward to partnering with you in 2014 to stand courageously and winsomely for the values we share.
May God bless you during this Advent and Christmas season.
Sincerely,
David E. Smith
Executive Director
P.S. Help us reach our goal of raising a total of $50,000 by the end of the month — Donate today! To make a credit card donation over the phone, call the IFI office at (708) 781-9328. You can also send a gift to P.O. Box 88848, Carol Stream, IL 60188.
