2023-2024 Annual Report

Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee

ANNUAL REPORT 2023-2024

FromOur

President & CEO and Board Chair As we reflect on the highlights of this past year, our heartfelt message to our members is: “We love seeing you because you make our Clubhouse a community!” and to our donors “We love seeing you because you show up to change lives.”

Because of your support, investment, and generosity, Gilda’s Club has continued to grow, thrive, and provide innovative and novel cancer support programs to meet the increasing needs of Middle Tennesseans impacted by cancer.

Thanks to the talented creative Program Team and volunteers, this year’s new offerings included Neurographic Art, Watercolor Painting, Friendship Bracelets, Comic Book Art, Acrylic Pouring, Homemade Cards and Cookies, Flower Bouquets, Wreath Making, and Book Club. And that’s just a sample.

Workshops like Exploring Purposeful Living and Dying, Poetry Night, Nature Journaling, Stress Reduction Strategies, Safe and Sound, and Moment of Meditation provided unique opportunities for reflection, mind-body connections, and stress management.

Well-established favorites such as Coffee Talk, Card Club, Quilting, Open Art Studio, Cooking Classes, Gentle Yoga, Tai Chi, What Feeds You, and Guided Imagery and Relaxation nurtured longtime friendships and sparked new ones.

Support groups including Men’s Group, LGBTQ+ Support Group, and Spanish-Language Cancer Support Group for Women were added to Family Support Groups, Cancer Support Groups, Cancer Specific Groups, Life After Loss Groups, Young Adults with Cancer, and so many more.

You showed up at record-breaking events, like our 25th Anniversary Red Door Bash and Golf Classic. You showed up at our brand-new Fall Fest Open House, 4th Annual Gilda’s Gang 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run, and Songwriter’s Night. Your attendance, participation, and financial support ensured we met our revenue goals.

Inside this annual report, check out the numbers of NEW donors who joined you at our events!

If you're a lifelong funder or new donor, have provided a corporate sponsorship, designated an estate or planned gift, volunteered on the board, on an event committee, or as a class or workshop leader: We thank and appreciate you.

If you've benefited from a class or workshop or referred a friend to seek support: We celebrate you.

Thank you for making Gilda’s Club possible. Thank you for showing up to change lives, day after day, year after year.

Harriet Schiftan, MSW, MAJCS President & CEO

Allen Huggins Allen Huggins Board Chair

Highlights 52 New Volunteer Applications

116 Expressive Arts Workshops

417 First-Time Donors

449 Total Workshops, Socials, and Educational Programs

“My Gilda’s caregiver group is unshockable. Cancer caregiving brings so many feelings that are embarrassing, even shameful. Not infrequently I have wondered whether I should share some thought or action with my group. Would I not be roundly censured by group members who take the high road? Instead, there is at a minimum thoroughgoing compassion and consolation, and there are always others who have thought or said or done things just as outrageous as I perceive my own to be. Moreover, group members have concrete suggestions that give me hope for more equanimity and constructive behavior.”

Gilda’s Club Member

Our Impact

By the Numbers

8,537 Total Attendance Includes support groups, workshops, socials, Customized Support Plans, and resource/referral contacts

134

2,095

New Member Customized Support Plans

Responses to Resource Requests

298

4,270

Number of Support Groups

Program Attendance at workshops, social, and educational programs

We love seeing you!

In 2023-2024, we made it our mission to connect with you as much as possible. Whether it’s through beloved traditions like Bingo Night and Community Meals, or through new and exciting experiences like our Fall Festival, our focus has been on fostering a strong and vibrant community. We have dedicated our time and energy to creating opportunities for meaningful interactions and shared experiences. Each day, we reaffirmed our commitment to bringing people together, and we have cherished every moment spent with you. Your participation and enthusiasm have made this year truly special for us.

Inaugural Fall Festival On November 11, 2023, we hosted our inaugural Fall Festival. This open house event was filled with fun activities, live music, and delicious treats.

This day was made even more special by our partnership with ACM Lifting Lives and Ashley HomeStore. Ashley HomeStore generously donated new office furniture and spearheaded the complete refurnishing and decorating of one of our support group rooms.

Our Fall Festival is a day dedicated to raising awareness about Gilda’s Club while simultaneously inviting anyone to stop by and enjoy what Gilda’s Club is known for: community.

We are thrilled to be making this Fall Festival an annual tradition.

12

Activities/Vendors

200+ Attendees

$20,000+

Furniture Donated by Ashley HomeStore

Creating Community with Every Meal Community Meals Since their inception in early 2023, Community Meals have become a staple at Gilda’s Club.

Our staff and amazing volunteers come together to offer a weekly home-cooked meal at the Clubhouse. We understand the effort required to prepare daily meals for oneself or a family, so we aim to ease that burden a bit for our members.

45

Meals Served

375+ Plates Made

Gathering for Fun Our social activities have become a fan favorite at the Clubhouse. In 2023-2024, we kicked back and watched Love, Gilda, decorated cupcakes, sipped coffee, dealt cards, and so much more.

And, of course, a fantastic meal and goodies are always served, because at Gilda’s Club, we want to make sure we are filling your metaphorical cup and your belly.

37

386

Socials

Attendees

Works of HeART Our Expressive Arts programming reached new heights in 2023-2024. With over 116 art workshops and 1,027 program visits, our art room has been packed to the brim.

A Few of Our Favorites Watercolor Song Lyrics Paint and Pass Sip and Paint Acrylic Paint Pouring Neurographic Art

Nature Journaling Tote Bag Painting and Design Fruits and Floral Arranging Charcoal Realism And More!

Tough Friends Art Club Now in its third year, Tough Friends Art Club (TFAC) has achieved remarkable new milestones.

This interactive online workshop allows participants to learn about an artist and their creative process, create their own art, and meet other Young Adults facing cancer.

TFAC partners with cancer artist Ohyouresotough and Gilda's Club Madison to bring this cancer support virtual art program to Young Adults across North America. Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee is proud to leverage our resources to serve young adults in communities where there is no Gilda's Club or Cancer Support Community.

“You have no idea how much I look forward to these art workshops. The sense of community and creativity keep me coming back. After attending the sessions I always continue using the materials expressively in processing emotions around my cancer. Seriously, these events changed my life.”

TFAC Attendee

341

Program Visits

35

States Represented

150

Unique Attendees

FUNdraising

Together

Our signature fundraising events account for 45% of our budgeted annual revenue and each year, they introduce new supporters to the Gilda’s Club family. This year, we hosted nearly 1,000 event attendees and welcomed 212 new donors.

450+

275+

Red Door Bash Attendees

140+

Songwriter’s Night Attendees

Gilda’s Gang Attendees

212 First-Time Event Donors

120+

Golf Classic Attendees

“I found a community where despite all of our differences in our individual cancer journeys, we all strive to raise each other up and help each other thrive through this process.”

Gilda’s Club Member

FY 2023-2024

Financials

70%

Program Delivery

35%

Fundraising Events

21%

Fundraising & Development

32%

Foundations and Grants

9%

Management & General

21%

Employee Retention Credit

12%

Individual Giving

EXPENSES

REVENUE

Program Delivery:

$952,475

Fundraising Events:

$567,150

Fundraising & Development:

$277,654

Foundation & Grants:

$514,253

Management & General:

$130,549

Employee Retention Credit

$332,781

Individual Giving:

$188,532

Other/Interest:

$6,844

$1,360,678

$1,609,560

*The 2023-2024 Income and Expense summary is not audited. Our audited financial statements will be available on GivingMatters.com and the GildasClubMiddleTN.org

INDIVIDUAL GIVING Generous community donors make individual contributions through donor-advised funds, donations of stock, bequests, memorials and tributes, annual or year-end gifts, employer-matching funds, and unrestricted donations throughout the year.

77% Individual Giving

9%

Gilda Gram

5%

Employee Giving Programs

5%

Monthly Sustainers

4%

Corporate Giving

FUNDRAISING EVENTS Gilda’s Club’s four signature events each year provide the opportunity to raise awareness, build community, and fulfill our mission. Our events not only raise needed funds through participation fees, sponsorships, and donations, but they also bring us new members, community partners, donors, and supporters.

57%

Red Door Bash

25%

Golf Classic

7%

Songwriter's Night

6%

Third-Party Events

5%

Gilda's Gang

Volunteers

Serving with Passion Our dedicated volunteers are among our greatest assets. They play an important role in expanding the number of people who receive support by offering workshops and classes, being a warm and welcoming voice on the phone, serving on event committees, preparing delicious meals, and fulfilling a multitude of needs around the Clubhouse. We are so grateful for the amazing and selfless humans who show up for our community on a daily basis.

19,637 Volunteer Website Page Views

2,794 Total Volunteer Hours

42

Volunteers Who Are Also Members!

Gilda's Club

in the Community

The Gilda's Club team is dedicated to actively engaging with the local cancer community and Middle Tennessee. Each year, we're honored to take part in numerous events, educating and raising awareness as thought leaders and experts in psychosocial cancer support.

Amazon Web Services Security Team Ascension and Kroger Health | Food is Medicine Ascension Network Cancer Committee Association of Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurses | Music City Belmont University Benjamin Holmes Counseling Breast Cancer Recovery in Action (BRA) Cancer Support Community Development Conference Center for Nonprofit Management CEO Advisory Committee Colon Cancer Foundation - Early-Age Onset Colorectal Cancer Summit Fifty Forward Hands On Nashville/Center for Nonprofit Management | Volunteer Coordinator Training HCA Healthcare Executive Development Program Hope Kids Meharry Medical College’s Cancer Survivorship Summit Nashville Psychotherapy Institute Nashville Sunset Rotary Club Nashville Wine Auction Harvest Party & Pairings National Council of Jewish Women Nashville Section National Family Caregiver Month Appreciation and Resource Fair | TN Valley Healthcare Sister’s Network Inc, Nashville Chapter Spread the Love Tennessee Breast Cancer Coalition Tennessee Oncology at Stonecrest Hospital | Cancer Survivorship Event The Curb Center and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center The Refuge Center for Counseling Twist Out Cancer Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center Community Advisory Board Works Counseling Center

Leadership Our Board of Directors, Advisory Board, and Associate Board are composed of committed volunteer community leaders. They contribute their expertise, utilize their personal and professional networks, and provide strategic guidance. Their efforts ensure that Gilda’s Club is efficiently run and financially stable, while elevating the visibility and accessibility of our cancer support program.

Board of Directors Allen Huggins, Chair Helen Lane, Immediate Past Chair Stuart Hall, Treasurer Rae Hirsch, Secretary Ken Bryant Rick Froio Andy Gill

Dr. Steven Hecklin, DMD Erica Jacobs Howard Kirshner Janet Kurtz David Lewis Drew Mallory Jennifer McGugin

Mary Mirabelli Suzanne Reed Samantha Saturn Kathi Whalen Alicia Wilson Kathy Winn

Fletcher Foster Ron Galbraith Cathy Jackson Harriet Karro Brian Marger Michael Radner

Pat Rogers Tom Snyder Sandy Towers Fleming Wilt Pam Wylly

Advisory Board Felice Apolinsky Joe Barker Jim Brown Walter Campbell Mark Carver Jim Corum

Associate Board

GCMTN'S YOUNG PROFESSIONALS BOARD Will Brown Jessie Eppelheimer Keelin Gerard

Chris Kirk Lauren Lyons Nicole Malofsky Kara McKormick

Madison Moquin Buck Patton Robyn Singer

Red Door

Society

The Gilda's Club Red Door Society honors donors who make an investment in our mission with contributions of $1,000 or more to the annual campaign.

A gift of $2,500 - $5,000 provides one year of a weekly support group for people with cancer.

A gift of $5,000 - $9,999 provides for orientation sessions to welcome and onboard new members.

A gift of $10,000 provides for expanded programs, workshops, and social programming.

We invite you to make a meaningful gift that is right for you to ensure cancer support for anyone in Middle Tennessee.

Will Power Society

The Will Power Society honors those whose deep commitment to Gilda’s Club has inspired them to include Gilda’s in their estate planning. Whether you want to put your donation to work today or benefit Gilda’s after your lifetime, we can help you find a charitable plan that aligns with your philanthropic priorities.

Leaving a planned gift offers you these benefits: Creates a permanent legacy Provides tax savings Supports your passion in an enduring way To learn more about planned gifts and bequests, contact Harriet Schiftan, harriet@GildasClubMiddleTN.org.

Get Involved Gilda's Club is able to fulfill our mission with the generosity of our donors, volunteers, and funders.

Ready to make a difference?

DONATE VOLUNTEER ATTEND AN EVENT

GildasClubMiddleTN.org/donate GildasClubMiddleTN.org/volunteer GildasClubMiddleTN.org/special-events

OUR MISSION Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee uplifts and strengthens people impacted by cancer by providing support, fostering compassionate communities, and breaking down barriers to care.

OUR VISION Everyone impacted by cancer receives the support they want and need throughout their experience.

1707 Division Street, Nashville, TN 37203 GildasClubMiddleTN.org @GildasClubMiddleTN