Dear Friend of Fresno West Coalition:

Fresno West Coalition for Economic Development invites you to join us in building a stronger economy in Southwest Fresno. We are all aware of the tremendous challenges we are currently facing in the United States as well as the immediate challenges of poverty here in Fresno, California. We have been working hard to change the dynamics of poverty that exist in our community by taking a strategic approach that is data driven and passionate.  

For the last few years we have been presented with disheartening news that showcases the plight of our community's challenges. From the October 2005 Brookings Institution Report: Katrina's Window, "New Orleans ranked 2nd for the highest concentration of poverty in America follwing it's devastation by Katrina", to Fresno residents dismay, "Fresno Ranked 1st for having the highest concentrated level of poverty at 43.5%." In another report by the Measure of America: American Human Development Report 2008-2009 it state, of the 435 Congressional Districts in the United States of America, Congressional District 20 which runs right through the San Joaquin Valley and Southwest Fresno is one of the poorest and least educated counties in America.

With all of this information you can begin to understand the shear challenges faced on a daily basis. We are at  ground zero of concentrated poverty in America and we have been working hard for seven years with seven clean audits to change this anomaly. We've just finished an "Asset Map" of the surrounding area to design a strategic community development plan for Southwest Fresno. We have been instrumental in convincing our former mayor to bring in Social Compact's "Drill Down Analysis" to uncover hidden markets to promote investment opportunities, coupled with the fact that the Kearney Palms Shopping Center built in 1999 became Southwest Fresno's first major supermarket and construction project in decades. The Kearney Palms Shopping Center was a project everyone including banks stated "Would not succeed!"

Today the shopping center is an economically viable entity bringing thousands of reinvestment dollars back into our community. We know we can change these dynamics in our community, but we need your help. Annually we hold our "Risk Takers, Dream Makers Luncheon" in Fresno, CA. The aim of this event is to increase community recognition of individuals and businesses who routinely demonstrate their commitment to taking risks and making dreams come true in impoverished communities like Southwest Fresno. Every year this luncheon acquires great momentum with 300 in attendance at the 1st Annual luncheon in 2005, this year we anticipate 700 in attendance.
 
It is our hope that you will commit to a sponsorship at one of the following levels:

     -Platinum ($12,000)     -Gold ($8,000)     -Silver ($5,000)

 -Bronze ($3,000)       -Friend of FWCED ($1,000)     -Supporter ($500)

FWCED can assure you that your contribution WILL directly impact lives of residents of Southwest Fresno by funding core activities including financial literacy, first time home ownership, free EITC tax preparation, and small business training in West Fresno.

The Board and Staff of FWCED are working hard to facilitate change in Southwest Fresno. Within this context, FWCED has been fortunate to work with "Risk Takers, Dream Makers"... who are ordinary and not so ordinary, folks ... and have been instrumental in fulfilling the vision of improving Southwest Fresno.

We urge you to join us in the fight against poverty by committing charitable funds to our organization. You will find below a description of the sponsorship levels for the 5th Anniversary "Risk Takers, Dream Makers" Award Luncheon.

Please do not hesitate to contact Fresno West Coalition for Economic Development should you have any questions about our organization and its work, or the way in which this event and your contribution can decrease poverty in Southwest Fresno. You can reach me at (559) 485-1273 or by
e-mail at veronica@fwced.org. Thank you for your consideration of this request and for all that you do for the greater Fresno community!

Sincerely,

Keith A. Kelley
President/CEO, FWCED

kk/lar