2017 Annual Report

2017

Annual Report I Choose To Win is a 501 (c)(3) motivational and inspirational nonprofit organization that seeks to edify, empower and equip women to WIN in life. We place emphasis on purpose, passion, power and potential.

www.ichoosetowin.org

Faith-based organization • • • • • • • • • • • •

“We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

- Romans 8:37

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2017

Win from Within Retreat Bold Intentions Event Two Year Soiree Zeta Phi Beta Award Ceremony Woman Up Award and Tea Party Ascend Vision Board Event Penn State Abington Keynote Speaker Diva Girl Philly Workshop Facilitation: Win from Within On The Table PHL: Passion, Power Potential Conversation Upper Dublin Connections/ Beneficial Bank Program Camp Oxford Workshop Facilitation Explore U Launch: Kickoff and Self Reflection - It Starts with Me! Empowered Uth Mini Retreat All In 4 Humanity Launch Explore U: PhotoWalk Explore U: Songwriting PA Conference for Women Explore U: Book Writing Explore U: Retreat Explore U: Pottery Empowered Uth Workshop: Self-Love, Self-Image

Letter from the Founder This year, we opened up 2017 with bold intentions, celebrated two years of edifying, empowering and equipping women to live boldly, bravely and brilliantly, embarked upon new journeys through Explore U and received incredible support doing what we love - causing women to believe in their purpose, power and potential when doing and being that which God called us.

Melonie Butler Founder

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

- Jeremiah 29:11

By invitation, we were invited into rooms to reach and impact women (young and mature), who are evolving into the mothers, daughters, wives, friends, individuals, entrepreneurs, employees, educators, leaders, social activists, advocates, artists, creatives, professionals and so much more - that we are by God‘s design. We give Him the glory in our lives when we actively engage our calling. And, we have the power to reshape our narratives when we understand that in HIM, we are enough, valued, significant and powerful beyond measure. In life, we are women who win! We are grateful to those who have supported this organization to make it what it is today!

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me is a promise I choose to believe and stand on.

When I trust God and let Him strengthen me, I no longer sit, wait and procrastinate, I take small action steps trusting Him for strength, encouragement and direction. One foot in front of the other, baby steps in favor of progressive forward movement; it is faith in action. Volunteers and supporters continue to bless this organization by showing up and serving. In Him, I stay amazed. Thank you to every volunteer, donor, sponsor, grantmaker and participant. I pray 2018 will be more than we could ask or imagine. In all things, “to God be the glory!”

Sincerely,

Melonie Butler

Vision

Points of Praise 2017

Create a movement of women on fire for God and in love with life. See more women living out what they define a winning life and glorifying God as a result.

Celebrated two years of service with an anniversary soiree fundraiser, held at Stratus Rooftop Lounge Launched a new program, Explore U! and an online social justice campaign entitled, “Allin4Humanity”

Mission

2,126 Followers on Social Media platforms

Edify, empower and equip women to walk boldly, bravely and brilliantly in their God-given gifts contributing in unique ways to positively impact the world. This is what we’ve coined as winning!

Goals • • • • •

Edify women in the word of God so they see themselves as God sees them Encourage women to transition in mindset from victim to victor Empower women to walk in their gifts and lift others as they climb Equip women with tools, network and resources to aid in their definition of “winning” Glorify God through the execution of this program

Introduced an online video magazine format to replace our electronic and printed #ichoosetowin magazine Awarded “Nonprofit of the Year” by Philadelphia’s graduate chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Served as the keynote speaker for Philly-area Woman Up & Penn State Abington’s Student Government Banquet Raised over $5,000 in program funds through online giving campaigns, grants, fundraisers & one-time gifts

To check out our Explore U program: www.exploreUphilly.com

Reached over 6,000 people through our various channels, Engaged over 860 individuals at our events Facilitated themed workshops for several local organizations reaching young people through partnerships Implemented a new fundraising initiative using custom book development with the release of Time To Choose, a percentage of all proceeds support programming

EDIFY | EMPOWER | EQUIP

23K

People viewed our program images on flickr!

Introducing Explore U!

Introducing EXPLORE U, a membership program offered by the Philadelphia-based 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, I Choose To Win. It offers ADULT women, age 21 and older, an opportunity to intentionally explore who they are by design and learn which things cause them to awaken and engage life more fully.

Too often, adult women, as a result of life and its many demands and numerous roles/ responsibilities fulfilled, lose a sense of who they are and what awakens them to their own sense of purpose, passion, power and potential. We would like to offer these women an opportunity to re-engage life in their adulthood to see which creative outlets stir them inside, and may possibly allow them to approach life with renewed vigor, enthusiasm and joy to live each day more fully. This is what we want - more women who realize their ability to WIN in life. EXPLORE U offers a safe space for women in the Philadelphia Area to come together, use their imagination, be a novice in an area of interest and explore freely to learn again who they are - and what they’re “made of.”

“

Just wanted to drop you a note to thank you for your time today and for making such an impact in such a short time.

You made an impact in my life and want to thank you for awakening/shaking up that part of me that needed to step up. For many months I have felt inauthentic and not true to myself. Something you shared about your life made me tick and I decided starting at that moment I was going to finally stand up for myself. And, that day, I did. I felt so empowered and proud of myself and wanted to make sure you knew you impacted another woman today. ” - Nadia G.

Its no judgment zone encourages women to just “be” and in it, honesty, transparency and vulnerabilities flow freely, fostering a safe space to build new relationships and a sense of community. With several workshops offered, women experienced guided self-exploration activities and exercises that were included in the membership. In these workshops, many themes were covered to address issues and concerns faced by women, such as confidence, esteem, value, significance, insecurities, fear and connection (to self and others).

If you are interested in Exploring You, join EXPLORE U! We were grateful for the warm reception this program received and outpour of support by the women who chose to sign up. In its introductory year, we hosted the following Explore U workshops: “It Starts with Me” Self Reflection; Serenity Retreat; Singing and Songwriting; Bookwriting and Blogging; Photography and Pottery. Coming soon in 2018 are modeling, fitness bootcamp, dance, business startup and art therapy and painted expression.

Learn more at www.exploreUphilly.com.

EDIFY | EMPOWER | EQUIP

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. ”

2017 Board of Directors

- Joshua 1:9

Michael Bowman Board Advisor Rittenhouse Strategies, LLC mbowman@rittenhousestrategiesllc.com Melonie Butler Founder & Executive Director I Choose To Win melonie@ichoosetowin.org

A Special Thank You!

30

Corporate, Business & Organization Supporters

Phil Butler Treasurer LREP Investments pbutler@LREPinvestments.com

Believing the vision God gave me. in life, I choose to win!

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Mallory Clements Secretary msclements25@gmail.com Candy Manning Vice President Candids By Candy Photography candy@candidsbycandy.biz

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.

Honor one another above yourselves.”

- Romans 12:10

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Allstate (Buddington Agency) Ascend Mentoring Program Ashley Coleman, Author Beat Peace Be Cubed Marketing Group Beneficial Bank Camp Oxford Candids by Candy Chipotle Mexican Grill CI Solutions, LLC Design HIve ( D-Hive Philly) DivaGirl Philly Flexx Yoga Gail Jones Pottery Gypsy Blu Restaurant Holiday Inn Fort Washington It Starts with Me! Jen Strickland Photography Marriott Montgomeryville Martin Luther King High School Mgineers ModelKinese Nikki Lenore Photography Path To Greatness PA Conference for Women Penn State Abington Rittenhouse Strategies, LLC Seraiah Nicole Stratus Lounge Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

“

2017 Impact

Testimonial Before I Choose To Win I wasn’t my true self.

I existed behind the wall of doubt where I suffered in silence because I could only see myself as a hopeless victim. It was a habit, an addiction I wasn’t proud of. Embarrassed of myself and the life I wasn’t living, I became a recluse.

Kicking the habit was an everyday struggle, a constant battle I needed to win because I desired to be someone other than the habitual me. In October 2016, I took a step towards a better version of me after my meet up with I Choose To Win’s founder, Melonie Butler, who introduced me to her organization, its mission, self-respect and self-worth.

“

I had been enlightened, empowered, and ready to dispel all of the lies I held onto prior to our meeting. That day my life changed. Today, I am living fearlessly! With support, I Choose To Win can continue on the current path of empowerment, transforming women from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset.

Empowered women and girls will transform societies. - C. Quarles

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask

or imagine, according to His power at work within us, to Him be the glory.”

- Ephesians 3:20

6,248 People engaged with our organization.

ENGAGE

12

WINNING EVENTS

5

EDIFY

Winning Workshops, 3-Day Retreats, Social Networks, Speaking Engagements, and Magazine are the ways we engage our audience.

SOCIAL NETWORKS

14

MAGAZINES & VIDEOS

8

INVITATIONS TO SPEAK

Campaigns, Inspirational messages, Scriptural references, Motivational quotes & words of encouragement

EMPOWER

Providing Tools, Journals, Resources, Connection, Mentors, Access and Opportunity

EQUIP

SUBJECT

OUR RESOURCE LINKS

YOUNG WOMEN

EMPOWEREDUTH.COM

ADULT WOMEN

EXPLOREUPHILLY.COM

I CHOOSE TO WIN

ICHOOSETOWIN.ORG

VIDEO MAGAZINE

ICHOOSETOWIN.TV

SOCIAL CAMPAIGN

ALLIN4HUMANITY.COM

MAGAZINE ISSUES

ISSUU.COM/ICHOOSETOWIN

PROGRAM PHOTOS

FLICKR.COM/ICHOOSETOWIN

2017 Financials

“

This organization is the epitome of a group that helps women and young girls reach their full potential. I highly recommend them and we are very grateful that they were a part of our women conference.“ - Majet R.

2018 Strategic Objectives Further refine programming offerings to closely target audience for greater impact, ie. Explore U

Revenue Generation

Secure partnerships for Empowered Uth and increase organizational and community impact

In 2017, I Choose To Win held several events, raised money through creative fundraising activities and received donations, corporate grants and gifts. With the launch of its first-ever adult women-only self-discovery membership program, Explore U, I Choose To Win’s messages and action-generated activities reached women ready and prepared to embark upon life changes, while capturing costs upfront and guaranteeing an audience for programming. I Choose To Win was the proud recipient of several community grants, totaling 24% of 2017 income. Through its numberous events, reaching over 800 participants, I Choose To Win generated 36% of its revenue. What proves to be most impactful for our organization is the generosity of individual donors who have been either recipients of I Choose To Win programming or who know someone involved. As I Choose To Win experienced growth throughout the year, we’ve watched the number of donors decrease, but the size of the donations increase. Meanwhile, external support from various organizations remain rather steady. Partnerships prove beneficial to share costs and reduce our expenditure. Here’s a snapshot of the 2017 breakdown:

Expand board of directors to meet growth needs and deliver on annual fundraising objectives More aggressively seek after funding through traditional sources upon our 3rd year of service Fully transition magazine format to video and increase subscribers and views of positive content

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Igniting the passion that burns within. in life, I choose to win!

EDIFY | EMPOWER | EQUIP

Host a themed conference to meet women where they are at their place of readiness to choose to win Devise a plan to establish a membership Mastermind group of women committed to helping women take action

Awakening my insticts to engage life boldly. in life, I choose to win!

ichoosetowin.org P.O. Box 613 Fort Washington, PA 19034 c/o Melonie Butler 856.278.0604

EDIFY | EMPOWER | EQUIP