Greetings Friends! What a YEAR!
It was Spring of 2020 when we first started dreaming about Sacred Heart Ranch (SHR). As we worked through all it takes to start setting up a non-profit, our hope was to open Fall of 2021. I am SO glad that God’s timing isn’t my timing because I would not have been ready this Fall. I am continually reminded and have always trusted that it will all fall into place WHEN and HOW He wants it to. In the meantime we continue to spread the word and raise funds towards our capital campaign. Our goal continues to be to purchase a property and home that will be Sacred Heart Ranch where young women come to rest, heal, learn and grow.
December: WE FINISHED THE YEAR STRONG!
In December alone we received over $20,000 in donations from 19 individuals.
2021-2022 Donations/Pledges/Sustainability Pledges
Over 100 donors have helped us raise over $298,000
Thank you!
We also have a Legacy Gift future Promise of $100,000 meaning that future sustainability is being provided. THANK YOU TO ALL of you who are with us and believe in helping young women.
2020 RECAP
- Selected our Board Members, incorporated, submitted non-profit paperwork early Fall.
- Fundraised startup costs ($6000 from 28 donors) had some left over to start towards building campaign.
- Designed logo, designed and launched website, printed brochures.
- Received pledge from individual who will match dollar for dollar up to $25,000 when over halfway to our goal.
- Researched and got business plan together in order to set goal for Capital Campaign so we could begin fundraising once we got our non-profit status.
2021 RECAP
January: After a 4 month wait, we received our non-profit status from the IRS January 25.
February: Started our capital campaign for property/home sending letters to businesses and individuals.
March: We received our first 5 figure donation ($10,000). We also designed and printed business cards, letterhead and Thank you cards with our logo and info
April: Continued to write letters and have meetings to raise money for capital campaign. Received our first Legacy Gift pledge of $100,000 (SHR future sustainability is being provided).
May: I started weekly Riding Lessons with Jack Jones of Twin Falls to learn more about horses and safety (It’s been over 25 years since I’ve owned horses. A lot to relearn). I continue to volunteer at Rising Stars Therapeutic Riding Center working with children with disabilities on horseback learning safety and horse-care.
We signed up for Amazon Smile and Boise Catholic radio station, Salt and Light interviewed us about SHR.
June: Shot and released a Promo Video for SHR. Interviewed by KMVT local television station which aired Jun 27 on the evening news.
July: Received our first six figure Pledge of $100,000 towards property/home!!! This was from an individual who believes in our mission. She writes… ‘there but for the grace of God go I… Had I not had the home situation that I did when I was younger, I definitely would have needed a place like Sacred Heart Ranch to help me get back on my feet after a life-upending personal trauma. I realize so many do not have this option and I want to help in any way that I can. Love and believe in you two and SHR.’ -S.S.”
August: Pete and I put together a presentation called “Mental Health Among Youth and Young Adults” and started booking events to raise awareness about SHR.
September: We did three presentations on Mental Health in Nampa, Boise and Twin Falls. Our Ribbon Cutting was on Sept 22 at the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center to help raise awareness about SHR to help further our fundraising efforts. All of our Board members were able to attend including Tom and Sue Chambers from Dallas, TX as well as family, friends, donors and those wanting to learn more. We were also interviewed on Neighbors Don’t Knock Podcast.
October: Another individual considering a Six-Figure Legacy Gift Pledge. I started going to area businesses and individuals to work on getting sustainability pledged/covered for 3-5 years after SHR opens.
November: Pete was invited to speak at the Rotary Club of Twin Falls about Trauma and also to share about Sacred Heart Ranch. They loved it and want him back to talk more about SHR.
We are grateful for your generosity during uncertain times. May God bless each one of you in 2022. You thoughts and prayers are working! What an incredible year! The momentum is building! We look forward to what 2022 will bring.
Gratefully,
Jaime and Pete Espil and the Sacred Heart Ranch Board
www.SacredHeartRanch.org