Fourteen-month-old Eliana is a beautiful face behind the facts. She and her parents flew to Stanford this past January from their home in Hagerstown, Maryland. Eliana underwent a life-saving operation to correct her defective heart. The doctor, Frank Hanley, is world-renown for his pioneering surgery that repairs the condition known as tetralogy of fallot. MMA provided round-trip airline tickets for the family.

Yesterday I attended a “Funders Forum” in Norfolk, Virginia, presented by Volunteer Hampton Roads, that featured a panel of professionals representing foundations and corporations that support nonprofit organizations in our region. Here are a few of my notes:

Grantors are more likely to fund nonprofits that are working collaboratively.

The political environment is increasingly unfriendly toward philanthropy. Nonprofits are urged to hold their ground and not hunker down.

Grantors are more inclined to give to groups addressing urgent human needs.

Foundations and businesses are backing away from event sponsorships, preferring to give capital funds.

Composition and size of boards is of vital importance. Not too big (40—ouch!) and not too small (4—puny!), with a good diversity of members.

Nonprofits must have clear data showing results.

As for the last point, I just received figures from our CEO and president, Ed Boyer, demonstrating results that should make any donor –whether an individual, a group, a business or a foundation—feel good about giving to MMA. Here are the stats:

Airline statistics during the last 12 months from today – 

Total missions flown:  8,093. 

2,247 (27%) were cancer patients

594 (7%) were rare disease cancer patients

1,256 (15%) were rare disease patients

Total of these patients is 4,097, or 49% of total.

Remainder were wounded Iraq or Afghanistan war (U.S.) veterans and/or the adversely affected family members.  This was 51%.

Of the 4,097 non-veteran patients flown, 993 of them were going or coming from a clinical trial.

In the month of April 2010 there were 457 non-veteran patients flown.  The monthly numbers have grown about 50% in the last year.

While the numbers talk, the words of a patient named Beverly from South Carolina give the facts a human face:

“My doctors [at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston] have reported that my tumor was dead and I am now completely cancer free! It’s good to know that we can turn to you if this need arises again. Your services have been an answer to prayer.”

May we always remain faithful to our mission and worthy of the generous donatons that enable us by God’s grace to be the answer to those prayers.

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