What is Annual Giving?

Annual Giving is a pool of unrestricted money raised each year through charitable contributions that support our operating budget and fills the gap between program revenue and the actual cost of running Blue Deer Center operations.

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All of our programs (both at the Center and off-site) rely on the support of our generous donors and volunteers. Their work, sincere effort, and financial resources, make it possible for Blue Deer to bring healing in nature to participants. We strive to keep our programs costs as low as possible. The revenue from our retreats, classes and virtual offerings, only covers 40% of our annual operating cost. Due to our partial opening in 2020 and 2021, our revenue from programs has dropped to under 10%. Your support is essential to our recovery.

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Who supports Annual Giving?

• Program Participants

• Staff

• Volunteers 

• Board of Directors

• Healers

• Providers

• Teachers 

• Friends of Blue Deer

 

Why is it so important that every person in our community contributes to Annual Giving? 

When Blue Deer approaches a charitable foundations to ask for grants, their first question is: How many people contribute to the Annual Giving Fund? Full participation signals to them that our community is fully committed to our mission and as a result they are more likely to fund our programs.

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Where does the money go?

Annual Giving does it all.

• Staff Salaries

• Mortgage 

• Utilities- lights, heat, water, oil, gas

• Building maintenance & repair

• Phone, wi-fi, database programs, website 

• Insurance-property, workers compensation, liability, car

• Accountant, bookkeeper

• Health department requirements

• Transportation

• Equipment repairs

• Supplies

• Opening Guest House 2021, Tent, Tipi

• Generators, UV water System and Testing

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Our total monthly operating expenses range between $30,000-$35,000.

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Can I pledge now and pay later?

Yes, by making a pledge or investment early in the year, you can help us make our financial plans and projections as accurately as possible, especially ending 2020 with almost no program revenue.