Monterey, CA Non-Profit Scores Big At Gala Event

View From A Non-Profit Serving Carmel, Carmel Valley, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Gonzalez, Greenfield, King City, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Salinas, Seaside And Soledad California

As the head of a recently formed non-profit founded to help seniors in financial need remain at home and independent, I can tell you it's an extremely difficult environment in which to raise money.  Unemployment is still high, the housing market in many areas is still bleak, and the stock market is extremely volatile.  The public is, not unexpectedly, pensive about the economic outlook and holding onto their cash very tightly.  But there are so many people in need I hope this changes shortly.  It was great to read that a gala event on Monday for the Robin Hood Foundation raised a hefty $57 million this year, up nearly $10 million from the $47.4 million raised last year.  That's less than the record of $87 million but still nothing to sneeze at.  What was wonderful to hear was that much of the money was raised at the event as guests made pledges set up at electronic devices set up at the tables.  Almost $20 million was pledged for a new initiative with the X PRIZE Foundation in which a series of people from around the world will help the organization find innovative solutions to fight poverty.  Congratulations to this non-profit which has a great cause, to try and reduce poverty levels.  I'm trying to do this for seniors on the Monterey Peninsula, and all of us in the non-profit community are fighting an uphill battle.