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17�Թ�EXCEEDS PARTICIPATION GOAL OF 450 DONORS

Our members (i.e., you) are truly amazing. This year we received a extraordinary challenge pledge of $450,000 towards the purchase of the James F. Strange Center, but we had to “earn” this gift by completing two separate challenges:

• First, we had to demonstrate that we were all behind ASOR’s many initiatives by securing 450 unique donors by June 30, 2019. When we received this challenge on February 1st, we had about 200 donors for the fiscal year, so we had to receive gifts from 250 new donors in just five months. A tall order; yet, our members came through (once again).
• Second (and separate from the participation goal), we must raise $225,000 in new gifts and pledges for the building by December 31, 2019. To date, we have received gifts and pledges of $171,402 for this challenge—so we only need $53,598 more. Now that we’re completed the participation challenge (see below), we will focus on raising the last $53,500+ that we need to pay off the building debt and exceed our goal.

For now, we are thrilled to announce that we exceeded the participation portion of the challenge. As of July 2nd, we had 461 donors, and we are still waiting for the mail to arrive over the next week with gifts postmarked by June 30th. We set an all-time high for both dollars donated and for participation in Fiscal Year 2019, and we are so thankful for all of your support.

Why does high donor participation matter?

This large number of donors (more than 1 in 5 of our members) is something that distinguishes 17�Թ�from all other learned societies. And it matters, as the high level of donor participation from our membership engages the attention of foundations and major donors outside 17�Թ�and helps us attract gifts and support from them.

Your donations also enable 17�Թ�to carry out our mission. Subscriptions and memberships only account for about a quarter of our annual budget, so we rely on grants and donations from our members and friends. Even modest gifts add up to create significant support for ASOR, Truly, every donor is important, and every gift is meaningful.

Fiscal Year 2019 Honor Roll of Donors

If you are one of the people who made a gift to 17�Թ�in Fiscal Year 2019, thank you so much for your support. Indeed, because of the cost of relocating to our new home in Alexandria, VA, your support has never been more beneficial.

Please take this opportunity to check out everyone who contributed in FY2019 by clicking on our Honor Roll of Donors. We hope that you will also review the list of FY19 Honorific and Memorial Gifts. If we made an error in listing your name on the Honor Roll, we ask that you kindly e-mail us so that we can correct the mistake.

If you would like to get a head start on joining the list of donors to 17�Թ�for Fiscal Year 2020 (ends June 30, 2020) and help us reach the second part of our challenge pledge, please click on the “Donate Now” button below!