Urban Views Weekly February 8, 2017 by Urban Views Weekly

Feb. 8, 2017

Scholar of the Week - Floyd Robinson

Richmond native’s children’s book has nationwide success

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Civic Beat FUNdraising Good Times

More than a plan:

Three things you need to implement your fundraising plan

Will a fundraising plan solve your fundraising challenges? Will your organizational culture change? Will your board suddenly become more involved? What about funding: Will the money and resources you need miraculously appear? Creating fundraising plans for our clients is one of our core services. We invest time learning each organization, its culture, assets, position in the marketplace, challenges and successes. And we get to know the people. We combine our learnings and experience to create a fundraising plan. While we wish a plan could magically bring resources to a nonprofit, the truth is that it won’t. A plan is only as valuable as the people who implement it.

1. A fundraising plan is a management tool. It includes strategies, roles and responsibilities, timelines, gift charts and guidelines that guide fundraising. The plan provides structure and serves as a reference tool that fundraising team members use to help hold each other accountable. The plan can encourage consistent progress, and the strategic use of often-limited resources. However, these won’t happen until the plan is used. And that takes time.

“A plan is only as valuable as the people who implement it.”

THURSDAY

February 23, 2017 6:30pm-8:30pm

Speakeasy Grill @ The Hippodrome

Here are three things we have learned about the important role of a fundraising plan.

Letter To The Editor

During the process of growing from one level to another, nonprofits may struggle with day-to-day operations. They may find it difficult to invest time in planning while simultaneously sustaining current activities. By necessity, this can make the implementation of a fundraising plan a longer term process than may have been anticipated. continues to page 11

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Bon Secours Issues Heart Check Challenge to RVA

Challenge encourages knowledge of heart health awareness and prevention of heart disease Bon Secours challenges all Richmond residents to take the Heart Check Challenge, the first step toward heart health through self-awareness, education, prevention and early diagnosis. Taking the Heart Check Challenge can be done by taking a free online HeartAware assessment at http:// rvaheart.com and https://bonsecours.com/ richmond or by scheduling a discounted heart scan for $99 during February. To schedule a heart scan, call 1-800-691-4327. A heart scan is a quick and noninvasive medical test also known as a calcium scan, which provides images of the heart that enable physicians to detect and measure calcium-based plaque in the arteries. “The best way to beat heart disease is through prevention and education. I want all of RVA to take the Heart Check Challenge and become knowledgeable on where they stand when it comes to their heart health,” said Roberta Bogaev, M.D., FACC, FACP. “Many people who die from a heart

disease is the leading cause of death both in the world and in the United States, killing over 375,000 Americans per year. Because of these alarming statistics, the AHA designated every February as American Heart Month to raise awareness about heart disease and how people can prevent it. Bon Secours aligned its goals for a healthier Richmond around February and Heart Month to challenge Richmond to take the first step toward a healthier lifestyle and ultimately a healthier heart.

attack have no previous symptoms. Knowing the condition of your heart might just save your life or the life of a loved one, so take the Heart Check Challenge today.” According to the American Heart Association (AHA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart

“This is the second year of the Heart Check Challenge. We had nearly 8,000 Richmond residents join the effort last year and we would like to surpass that number this year because every person who completes the challenge has taken one step towards a healthier heart,” said Dr. Bogaev. “What many people do not know is that heart disease does not have to be permanent, and that there are numerous ways in which you can halt its progression.”

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Urban Views Weekly | February 8, 2017

2/3/17 2:41 PM

ViewPoints

By Dr. T

American Values…or NOT History teaches us that the country we now call the United States of America was first a dream of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for a group of people fleeing religious persecution and the tyranny of Sovereign rule. This nation was founded through rebellion, and a movement, that unified its citizenry to rise up in resistance to taxation without representation. It was birthed through a revolutionary war that was an absolute rejection of oligarchical rule where the power and governance resided in the hands of the wealthy or gentrified class. These working class patriots, who fought and died to establish this great nation, pulled together and organized to demand a representative government by the people, for the people and of the people, once and for all time. The establishment of a government in which supreme power resides in a body of citizens, entitled to vote and where such vote is exercised by elected officers and representatives responsible to The People, to govern according to the Law. Those are American Values! The Constitution, which is the law by which our society maintains its civility, holds in sacred trust the laws that demonstrate our values as “Americans.” What is happening in this country right now has exposed how fragile the integrity of what these “so-called” values represent, and how diverse the interpretation of exactly what we “value” as Americans has become.

because of their religious beliefs, it is incredulous that we can so easily put our own history aside and actively discriminate against other peoples who find themselves in the same circumstances of life and death danger as those who fled to America’s shores in the first place. Where are our American values? Where is the moral leadership and imperative we once swore to uphold?

“For a nation founded by refugees...it is incredulous that we can so easily put our own history aside and actively discriminate against other peoples...”

During WWII in 1939, a ship called the St. Louis left Hamburg for Cuba and the U.S. The ship had 935 men, women and children aboard. They were Jews fleeing Nazi Germany and they were stopped from entering the U.S. and turned away at our water’s edge. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who a few years later would use an Executive Order to round up tens of thousands of Japanese Americans and put them in concentration camps, could have ordered that these refugees be allowed to stay in the U.S. but, he did not. FDR’s defenders and apologists stress that he never issued a “specific or official order to turn them away.” No, the anti-Semitic and governmental dissent about the war did that for him. The point is that he did nothing and those men, women and children were returned to Nazi Germany to suffer the consequences of the Holocaust.

After World War II, the cultural sentiment within the country changed. The international community recognized the importance of helping refugees, and AFTER the Holocaust; the U.S. decided that helping refugees was a moral imperative. We are a better nation than our government and our elected The paradoxical irony is not lost on what we are currently experiencing, with regard to the officials are currently demonstrating to the world. We the people MUST hold them responsible Travel Ban imposed by a Presidential Executive Order. The for how they represent US. “We the People…” remember the order prohibits entry into the United States by travelers past. We remember our history and we will not be silent this Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Ph.D. from seven specific countries, whose populations are time. Founder and Artistic Director primarily Muslim, and blocks the entry of any refugees for The Conciliation Project and Associate Professor the next 90 days, but specifically targets Syrian refugees as “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good indefinitely blocked. For a nation founded by refugees, who men to do nothing.” Virginia Commonwealth University were threatened with death, imprisonment and persecution ― Edmund Burke DrT@Margins2theCenter.com | www.theconciliationproject.org

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The Deal

By Nathaniel Sillin

Refinancing Your Debt Could Be a Good Idea Have you ever considered how lenders compare applicants? Typically, the lowest rate goes to those who have the highest likelihood of repaying the loan on time. A lot of data goes into determining that probability, including the person’s credit, income and outstanding debt.

fact that you will likely wind up paying more in interest. Your loan has a cosigner. Perhaps you asked someone to cosign your auto loan to improve your chances of getting approved or getting a lower interest rate. If you’re eligible for refinancing on your own, you might be able to release your cosigner and take full responsibility for the new loan.

As these factors improve, your terms on new loans might improve as well. You could also refinance debts you took on earlier in life to take advantage of the changes. As a result, you might be able to decrease your interest rate, lower your monthly payment and save a lot of money. Refinancing, which is often done by taking out a new loan to pay off existing debt, can be surprisingly simple. In some cases, you can submit all the information online, and the entire process will only take a few days. However, refinancing more complex debts, such as a mortgage, can take considerably longer. While refinancing doesn’t always make sense, it’s worth considering if you’re in one of the following situations. Interest rates dropped. Some loans’ interest rates depend on a benchmark interest rate, such as the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). Even if your financial profile stays the same, when the benchmark rate rises or falls, your interest rate on a new loan could rise or fall as well. You want to change the terms of your loan. Because you’re taking out a new loan to pay off existing debt, you

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might have the opportunity to change the terms of the loan. For example, you could have a variable-rate student loan whose interest rate rises or falls with a benchmark. You might be able to refinance with a fixed-rate student loan and have certainty that your monthly payments won’t change in the future. If you have a lower interest rate after refinancing and have the same amount, or less, time to repay the loan, you can save money over the lifetime of the loan. You want to lower your monthly payments. Say you have a 30-year mortgage that you’ve been paying off for five years. If you refinance with another 30-year mortgage, you have an extra five years to pay off approximately the same amount of money. As a result, your monthly payments could be lower, but be sure to take into consideration the

Proceed carefully because applying for refinancing could hurt your credit. Applying for refinancing often results in a hard inquiry, when a potential lender reviews your credit. Generally, a single hard inquiry won’t have a large negative impact on credit, but multiple hard inquiries might. When you’re refinancing a mortgage, auto loan or student loans you can still shop around and try to find the best rate without worrying about your credit too much. As long as the hard inquiries happen within a 14- to 45-day period (depending on the credit-scoring model) the creditscoring model will consider them a single inquiry. Consider the fees and find your break-even point before refinancing. Depending on the type of debt and the lender, there could be costs associated with refinancing debt. For example, some loans have an origination fee, either a flat fee or a percentage of the loan amount, which could be significant. The break-even point is how long it’ll take you to recoup the costs associated with Continues to Page 11

Urban Views Weekly | February 8, 2017

Speaking Volumes t Richmond native Betty K. Bynum said her first steps into the world of children’s literature were a fluke. The actress and singer, who lives in Los Angeles, self-published “I’m a Pretty Little Black Girl!” in 2013. Since then, she has released two more titles, “I’m a Lovely Little Latina!” and the latest, “I’m a Brilliant Little Black Boy!” – a collaboration with her son, Joshua B. Drummond. The inspiration for Bynum’s first book came while she was listening to another actress, Julianne Moore, promoting her own book, “Freckleface Betty K. Bynum & Strawberry.” As Moore her son, Joshua B. talked about feeling Drummond different and trying to hide herself as a child because of her pale skin, freckles and bright red hair, it struck a chord. “I started thinking about all the colors we had with little black girls in my neighborhood,” Bynum said during a recent phone interview. “I sat down that day and in about 45 minutes I wrote ‘I’m a Pretty Little Black Girl!’” Bynum had no idea what to expect next. She had a deal to sell her book through Target, and she started out by ordering 5,000 copies. She thought they would sell over a period of time; instead they sold out in two weeks. Her second run of 5,000 copies sold out as well.

Urban Views Weekly | February 8, 2017

“I realized then that I had something on my hands,” Bynum said, “but it wasn’t until I sold 15,000 copies that I realized this was really huge. After that, people started asking me, ‘Can you please write a book for our boys? We need a book for our boys.’” Bynum thought about it. She knew there was a real need for books that reflected black boys in the market, but she had been focused on the girls and felt if she was going to write about boys she would need some help with it. When her son said he would help, Bynum replied, “I love you. You’re hired.” “Josh was such an inspiration for the book,” Bynum said about her son. “He looked at the stuff that I wrote, and some of it was pretty girly, and he said, ‘Mom! You gotta change that up – this book is for boys.’” The pair collaborated, tag-team fashion while Drummond was at college, trading sections of the book back and forth and writing and re-writing. They promoted the finished book through a hashtag social media campaign: #Bbrilliant featured celebrities such as Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Ealy and Vin Diesel. “It was really beautiful to see it all come together with a bunch of positive people in one video promoting something for the youth,” Drummond said by phone. “I did a lot of research before writing the book and I felt that, with illustrator Brian McGee, this was really going to be something special. The way he uses color, it felt almost like a comic book and it really stood out to me. Mia, The VERY FIRST book-based Black doll starring in a picture book, I’M A PRETTY LITTLE BLACK GIRL!

“I’m a Brilliant Little Black Boy! is a comp The story provides positive, constructive and also aids in building strong example holds interest and cleverly offers a lesson p

-Pauletta Washington & “There just aren’t that many books out there for our boys,” Bynum added. “There are more books for girls popping up, but we need books that inspire our boys to read.” Although there has been a push for more diversity in children’s literature, there has been little change in the percentage of books about people of color being published since the Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC), a library of the School of Education at the University of WisconsinMadison, began tracking the numbers in 1994. In 2015, only 243 children’s books were about

to Children of Color

By Debora Timms

It is this benefit that has been behind efforts such as Multicultural Children’s Book Day, which began in 2014 as a way to celebrate diversity in children’s books, and the #WeNeedDiverseBooks campaign, whose vision is “a world in which all children can see themselves in the pages of a book.” Author Matt de la Peña is a supporter of the #WeNeedDiverseBooks campaign. In a promotional video on YouTube he explained that the ability to see ourselves in books helps connect us to the human experience by providing us a mirror, as well as a window on the world.

plete and thorough study for children. tools to assist with self-esteem issues, es of identity. The story is easy to follow, plan that is achievable for success.”

& Denzel Washington (Academy Award winning actor) African/African Americans. This represents a mere 7.5 percent of the approximately 3,200 titles received at the CCBC from U.S. publishers during the year. The Association for Library Service to Children addressed diversity in an April 2014 white paper titled The Importance of Diversity in Library Programs and Material Collections for Children. It states that “diverse, culturally authentic materials in library collections allow all children to meet people like themselves and develop an appreciation for the beauty of their culture and the cultures of others.”

“I’ve always believed that reading is the ultimate form of empathy,” de la Peña says in the video. While we all want to see ourselves in the stories we read, it is just as important to encounter people who aren’t like us so that we can make sense of the world around us. Both Bynum and Drummond believe they’ve created something that does that, filling a need in the community and in the marketplace.

affirmation, but it also opens them up to the possibilities that if you think it, you can become it.” Bynum pointed out that the U.S. will become a majorityminority country over the next generation, and topics of race and diversity have come to the forefront of the current political landscape. With major publishing houses slow to fill the void, Bynum said it’s up to independent publishers like herself to come up with the ideas for books that will support children of color in the market. During Black History Month, Bynum hopes to promote her titles and continue to push for more diverse children’s literature. She plans to release more in her “I’m a Girl! Collection” including, “Hooray! I’m a Girl in the USA” and “I’m an Awesome Asian Girl,” as well as working again with her son on a follow-up to “I’m a Brilliant Little Black Boy!”

“Just to say the title of ‘I’m a Pretty Little Black Girl!’ or ‘I’m a Brilliant Little Black Boy!’ is an affirmation in itself,” Bynum said. “Any kid who picks up the book and reads the title will have to speak those words and say that to themselves. Putting that out there is very important. It is an Authors of, “I’m A Brilliant Little Black Boy!” Betty Bynum and her son, Joshua Drummond, with Michael Ealy, a supporter of the book, on the Steve Harvey Show.

Photos courtesy of Betty K. Bynum

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Dominion to add “Energy” to its name Dominion Resources, Inc. (NYSE: D) has announced that it intends to change its name to Dominion Energy, Inc., in recognition of its focus on the evolving energy marketplace and to unify its brand following last year’s merger with Questar Corporation. The company also unveiled a new logo befitting its new name. “Dominion above all else is an energy company, committed to serving our customers safely and dependably,” said Thomas F. Farrell II, chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Our company and our employees are proud of the work we have done in delivering energy for 119 years and of the reputation we have built through reliable and affordable service. Dominion Energy builds upon this equity, updates our company’s look and unifies the company’s brand across all of our lines of business and throughout the 18 states where we do business.” The changes will be made later this year, pending approval of shareholders of the name change at the Annual Meeting this spring. The company’s 2017 Proxy Statement, which is expected to be filed in March, will contain information regarding the proposed change. Dominion Resources was created in 1983 as a holding company for its electric and natural gas utilities, a services company and a subsidiary that was entering the natural

markets with a broader range of services,” said Kelly O’Keefe, head of creative brand management at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Brandcenter, the country’s leading branding school. “This is a good time to unify the brand, clarify the name and simplify the logo. The updated name is more recognizable and the new logo is simple, fresh and timeless.” O’Keefe guided the company’s rebranding.

gas exploration and production business. The current logo was introduced just prior to the merger with Consolidated Natural Gas in 2000. The new logo retains a “D” shape while modernizing the look with stripes suggesting energy through the blue silhouette. It was designed by the global branding firm of Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv, the design firm behind many of the world’s most recognizable trademarks – including Chase, NBC, State Farm, National Geographic, PBS, the Smithsonian and the Library of Congress. “Over the years, Dominion has expanded to serve new

After the annual meeting, the company would begin implementation, including replacing logos on company facilities and service vehicles and changing its “doing business as” names in Idaho, North Carolina, Ohio, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming — where its gas and electric distribution companies reside. The company’s new principal operating units – Power Delivery Group, Power Generation Group and Gas Infrastructure Group – would replace Dominion Virginia Power, Dominion Generation and Dominion Energy, respectively. The company’s shares of common stock will continue to be traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “D.” For more information regarding the company’s branding efforts, please visit www.dom.com/NewBrand.

TanyaFree.com/ Urban Views Weekly Poll The next time the collection plate is passed during morning worship, it might be used for political means. The President vows to “totally destroy” a law that prohibits churches from endorsing or opposing political candidates at the risk of losing their tax-exempt status. There are those in the conservative Christian community who feel that “Pastors should be held accountable to God alone for what they say behind the pulpit, not the I.R.S.,” while others think allowing churches the freedom to endorse or oppose a political candidate would divide the congregation.

What’s your take? Should pastors be allowed to make political endorsements from the pulpit? Check out the story and respond to this week’s poll at TanyaFree.com and the Urban Views Weekly FACEBOOK Page. Listen to the Tanya Free and Friends Talk Show Wednesdays @ 2pm on WCLM1450AM streaming LIVE @ TanyaFree.com and BlackTalkRadioNetwork.com. You can now watch us LIVE at TanyaFree.com and ustream.tv

Urban Views Weekly | February 8, 2017

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Beat The Winter Blues With Tips From Giant/Martin’s Nutritionists Winter’s dreary and dark days can zap your mood and energy levels, and can result in a type of seasonal depression or “winter blues” affecting what, when and how you eat. While its cause remains unclear, diet plays a role in the prevention and treatment of depression. Below, GIANT Food Stores and MARTIN’S Food Markets’ nutritionists offer their suggestions to combat the “winter blues.” WHAT WE EAT • Studies have shown that depressive symptoms are associated with overconsumption of sweets and fast food. Instead, reach for fruits and vegetables, fish, whole grains and olive oil, such as a Mediterranean diet pattern. Diets rich in these foods have been associated with a reduced risk of depression. • Omega-3 fatty acids have received a significant amount of attention because of their positive impact on depression. Depressed individuals have been found to have lower levels of omega-3 fats in their blood work. In order to get enough omega-3 fats in your diet, eat foods such as fatty fish, walnuts and flax seeds. • Check out the Savory Recipe Center online on the GIANT or MARTIN’S websites for great recipe ideas. WHEN WE EAT • Our brains rely on a consistent fuel supply in order to function properly so eating small, balanced meals every 3-4 hours may help to keep blood sugar levels consistent. Going long periods without eating can cause blood sugar levels to

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drop, which may contribute to feelings of irritability or depression. HOW WE EAT • Recent studies have shown that negative and positive moods may lead to preferences for different types of food. A series of studies published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology finds that positive moods tend to increase our preference for healthy foods and negative moods increase our preference for indulgent foods. Taking a walk or meditating to boost mood may be effective strategies to improve mood and food choices. Studies have found that individuals with depression are at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. With February being American Heart Month, making improvements in diet and lifestyle may not only benefit mood, but it could also decrease risk for developing cardiovascular disease. GIANT/MARTIN’S nutritionists are available for individual consultations and classes on various topics such as heart health, weight loss, and individualized meal planning. Visit the GIANT, MARTIN’S or MARTIN’S in Richmond websites for a complete list of upcoming free classes or to schedule an appointment. Individual consultations are $20 and participants receive a $20 GIANT/ MARTIN’S gift card upon completion. Editor’s Note: Before making major changes to your diet, please consult your doctor or a nutritionist/dietitian to help you in your journey toward a healthier diet and lifestyle, especially if you are pregnant or have any other health conditions.

Nash Road (Route 636) Bridge Replacement Chesterfield County Design Public Hearing

Wednesday, February 22, 2017 5 – 7 p.m. Matoaca High School 17700 Longhouse Lane Chesterfield, VA 23838 Find out about the proposed Nash Road (Route 636) bridge replacement over Rita Branch Creek in Chesterfield County. Project plans include a wider bridge with the weight restriction removed. The bridge will be closed to through traffic during construction. Review project information and the National Environmental Policy Act documentation at the public hearing or at VDOT’s Richmond District Office located at 2430 Pine Forest Drive in Colonial Heights, 804-5246000, 800-367-7623, TTY/TDD 711. Please call ahead to ensure the availability of appropriate personnel to answer your questions. Give your written or oral comments at the hearing or submit them by March 4, 2017 to David Steele, P.E., project manager, Virginia Department of Transportation, 2430 Pine Forest Drive, Colonial Heights, VA 23834-9002. You may also e-mail your comments to davida.steele@vdot.virginia.gov. Please reference “Nash Rd. bridge replacement comment” in the subject line. VDOT ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you need more information or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact VDOT’s Civil Rights Division at (804) 524-6091 or TDD/TTY 711. * In the event of inclement weather on February 22, this meeting will be held March 1 at the same time and location above. State Project: 0636-020-653, P101, R201, C501, B694 Federal Project: STP-5A27 (235)

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Scholar of the Week

By Janeal Downs

As a young boy, Floyd Robinson’s mother helped him become a Boy Scout. Not only did he learn to “always be prepared,” but it became one of his favorite interests outside of school. Now, as a senior in high school, Floyd is working toward becoming an Eagle Scout with his Eagle Scout project. For his project he has taken on the task of organizing a book drive. His goal: to collect at least 600 books. While he has put a lot into the planning of his book drive, Floyd is confident that he will accomplish this goal by the end of the school year.

Floyd Robinson of John Marshall High School

GPA: 3.69 College(s) of Interest: VCU, Virginia Tech, ODU and Radford University Major Community Service: RVA Reads and FeedMore Strong Interests: Mechanical Engineering Favorite Activities: Hiking, reading and volunteering

While he works to accomplish his book drive goals, Floyd is also preparing for life after high school. He plans on continuing his education at a four-year university. Some of his top college choices include Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Tech University, Old Dominion University and Radford University. These are his top choices because they all have engineering programs that interest him. “College is necessary to obtain a sustainable career in mechanical engineering because it allows you to learn the basic fundamentals of physics and calculus,” Floyd wrote in an essay. “Mechanical engineering interests me because of the technological revolution that was contributed to by many great engineers.” Ever since his middle school years, Floyd has desired a career as an innovative engineer.

Attending college has been one of his long term goals, and it is quickly approaching as high school comes to a close. Floyd currently maintains a 3.69 GPA and is among the top ten of his graduating class. He knows that in order to become a mechanical engineer, he has to have strong time management skills along with everything else. This is a lesson he has practiced in high school. “Looking back on my education, I realized that I am in control of the knowledge I gain,” Floyd stated. “The knowledge from my teacher or professor is a resource and it is my responsibility to turn an assignment in or study for a test.” While he has been in high school, Floyd has also had Honor Roll and Secondary Scholar Roll. Along with his work as a Boy Scout, he volunteered for FeedMore’s Meals on Wheels, RVA Reads, Camp Brady Saunders and other opportunities. One of Floyd’s biggest influences in his life is his mother. “My mom influences me the most. Just the fact that she pushes me to do anything,” Floyd said. From getting him started with the Boys Scouts of America to many other things, his mother has always been there for him. Floyd has worked hard in the past and is looking forward to doing the same in college and as a future mechanical engineer. “My confidence in my ability to balance my academic, professional and personal life reassures that I can manage in this field,” he stated.

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FUNdraising from page 2

2. People make the world go round. Having a fundraising plan can help your organization determine if you have the right people in the right positions. The roles and responsibilities included in a fundraising plan can give board and staff members a deeper understanding of what is expected of them. These can also serve as a reference when hiring new staff or recruiting additional board members.

Willingness takes many organizations through the first phase of their organizational growth. During this time a formal fundraising plan may not be in place, nor is it always necessary. The trick is to sustain willingness and creativity, and to grow a culture and the structures that will support your organization as it grows. A fundraising plan is one step in the process.

It is the people who will bring a plan to life. Each person involved with your fundraising needs to believe in your organization. Collectively your fundraising team needs to have a strong mix of fundraising skills, experience and connections. While one person may be a “rain maker” for your organization, we recommend building a team so your organization isn’t dependent upon any one person or relationship for its financial health.

It may take time to experience the benefits of working from a fundraising plan. It could take 18 months to three years to truly grow into a plan. But once the people, systems and relationships are in place they can be refined and expanded as you grow.

3. Willingness is the key. At the heart of all successful fundraising is willingness.

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The Deal from page 5

refinancing. For example, it could cost you $3,000 to refinance your mortgage, but you’ll save $150 each month. You’ll break even after 20 months because that’s when you’ll have saved $3,000 in monthly payments. If you plan on selling the home before the break-even point, it likely doesn’t make sense to refinance.

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Use the same sort of calculations to weigh the pros and cons of refinancing other types of debts. When it looks like refinancing could be beneficial, shop around to try and find the terms that best fit your needs. Nathaniel Sillin directs Visa’s financial education programs. To follow Practical Money Skills on Twitter: www.twitter. com/PracticalMoney Spiritual Music is our Specialty

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! w e n TWISTED

E T A L O C O H C ONS

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Urban Views Weekly | February 8, 2017