HopeSpring falls $100K short of fundraising goal but will stay open
CBC News | Posted: February 28, 2017 10:23 AM | Last Updated: February 28, 2017
The HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre in Kitchener will keep its doors open, despite falling $100,000 short of its $400,000 fundraising goal.
After a board meeting Monday night, the group's board decided raising more than $300,000 was enough to sustain operations through the rest of the year.
"We are humbled, overwhelmed and grateful for this outpouring of support. We did not give the community much time to rally, yet we have received funds available now to move forward," the centre said in a news release late Monday night.
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"With an overwhelming response from community members, volunteers and donors, it was clear that the community wishes to have HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre programs and services available for the long term."
Long term pledges
The funds raised will get HopeSpring through this year, and its future looks bright, board chair Valerie Beyer told The Morning Edition host Craig Norris on Tuesday.
"We do have some pledges that are in place for the long term, for the two, three, four and five years," said Beyer.
"So there are individuals that have said, organizations that have said, they're going to be there for the long-er haul," said Beyer.
The money raised will get them through to the end of 2017, which gives HopeSpring the breathing room it needs, said Beyer
"Which gives us that runway to be able to look at the long term sustainability, to be able to look at new models of service, to seek additional resources and to apply for grants."
Late last month, HopeSpring said that after 21 years, a lack of funding was forcing the cancer support centre to close its doors by the end of February.
The centre has relied 100 per cent on community donations, but in recent years, that money has fallen short of covering the centre's expenses.
HopeSpring said it hasn't abandoned its original $400,000 fundraising goal by its self-imposed deadline, but said the fundraising will continue until that goal is met.