2018 News

Because of BALANCE 2022

Donate to the 2022 Because of BALANCE! Read this year’s participants stories.

Because of BALANCE 2023

From World Sight Day, October 11 to Remembrance Day, November 11, 2018, BALANCE for Blind Adults held our first-ever peer-to-peer fundraising campaign. Called “Because of BALANCE”, the campaign highlighted clients’  stories about why they are grateful for BALANCE programs and services. BALANCE is so very pleased to announce that we raised $15,644, effectively more than tripling our goal of $5000!

BALANCE gratefully acknowledges the participation of our amazing client and staff fundraisers, and the many donors who contributed to this campaign. In doing so, they have directly strengthened our group programming for this fiscal year, making it possible for us to increase these opportunities for our clients.

Part way through the campaign, an anonymous donor stepped forward with the offer to match any funds raised in the last 12 days of the campaign. This gesture resulted in a steep rise in participation and significantly contributed to the incredible success of the campaign, and we are truly grateful.

The impact of these funds is significant. Here are a few examples of the direct impact of these funds:

• $800 pays for 6 weeks of our extremely successful psycho-social support group
• $2500 will permit us to bring in an expert to run a self-defense program (oft-requested by clients)
• $800 covers the cost of a 10 week adapted yoga program
• $600 will pay guest experts to make special presentations and provide workshops to clients, and
• $3000 will pay for 5 front line staff to take part in professional development opportunities

BALANCE for Blind Adults is a community-based service organization that, for the past 32 years, has been providing clients in Toronto who are blind or visually impaired with instruction and support. Our staff aim to help clients achieve their personal goals related to technology, orientation and mobility,  community engagement and daily living skills. BALANCE recognizes that each client goal is unique and we are able to customize support accordingly.

That’s the BALANCE difference.

Everyone in the BALANCE community has a “Because of BALANCE” story. In fact, it’s the most common thing our staff hear, expressed as gratitude and appreciation. Many of our clients don’t know how to express their gratitude in a meaningful way, so the BALANCE team is trying something different. With a donation in honor of the BALANCE difference, clients and their networks can make a gift of gratitude that benefits staff, clients, and future clients alike.

To read our fundraisers’ stories, click https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/balance-for-blind-adults/p2p/becauseofbalance/#participants

This campaign has ended for this year, but you can still donate! Click https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/balance-for-blind-adults/

BALANCE is pleased to have had a place on the organizing committee for the 2018 Provincial election debate on accessibility and disability issues! We are also very proud of the participation of our Board Vice-Chair, Michelle McQuigge as co-moderator, and several staff members assisted with the evening. Watch the recorded webcast.

FUND DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT

Project Purpose

BALANCE for Blind Adults wishes to retain a Fund Development Consultant who will develop a comprehensive and sustainable fund development plan and a donor engagement strategy.

Who we are

BALANCE for Blind Adults is a lively not-for-profit agency with strong roots in the community. We have more than 30 years’ experience training adults who are blind or partially sighted. We offer free instruction one-on-one or in a group setting.

The BALANCE mission is to generate opportunities for those living with vision loss through innovative, inclusive, community-oriented programming and partnerships. Our strong community focus keeps us grounded and our spirit open to change.

Our vision is for people to live a quality, enriched life that is engaged with communities and free of social barriers.

Background

The services provided by BALANCE are free of charge to our clients, because the cost is covered by the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network (TC-LHIN)

In addition, our generous donors assist BALANCE to improve and expand our service and program offerings and with our daily operations. Grant revenues are also a part of our financial picture as a not-for-profit organization. We also offer training and consultation to those working with persons who are blind or partially sighted, and to our clients’ workplaces, for a fee.

One of our strategic priorities is to grow the organization’s capacity in fund development. Our Board of Directors and executive leadership are ready to take fund development to its next level. To accomplish this, we need a fund development plan that will establish the necessary building blocks to sustainand grow fund development. We also recognize that with the number of individuals who are connected to our brand, we have a wonderful opportunity to invest in a donor engagement strategy that will allow us to acquire and retain donors.

Scope of Work

Establishing the building blocks of a sustainable Fund Development Program:

• Develop a Strategic Fund Development Plan.
• Provide guidance and recommendations to set up and sustain a Board Development Committee.
• Develop a compelling case for support.
• Implement a database to manage, support, grow and sustain a long-term fund development plan.

Develop a donor engagement strategy

• Increase the pool of people who make the first gift.
• Increase the commitment of current donors.

Proposal

The proposal should include a completed questionnaire (Appendix A of this Request for Proposals) covering various aspects of the criteria.

Questions and Submission:

Deborah Gold, Executive Director, d.gold@balancefba.org

Schedule	Date
Request for Proposals Posted	February 9, 2018
Questions Submitted Deadline	April 6, 2018
Responses provided to all RFP respondents	April 18, 2018
Proposals due	May 10, 2018
Review and Selection Process	May 11-18, 2018
Contract signed and project commencement	May 25, 2018
Project completion	July 27, 2018

Appendix A

Item	Rated Criterion	Response
Capabilities of the Firm and Team (40%)
1.	Describe your firm, including its size, information on the number of each level of professional staff in the firm and any additional information you think relevant to providing the services to BALANCE.
2.	Describe your firm’s experience in creating fund development plans for not-for-profit organizations, especially those funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
3.	Please provide 3 client references we may contact.
4.	Describe the size, composition and organization of the professional team proposed for this assignment. Please provide the CVs of the proposed partner, manager, and auditors
Value Add (20%)
1.	Describe what other value add services your firm can provide to BALANCE for Blind Adults.
Cost (40%)
1.	Provide the proposed fee to provide a sustainable fund development plan for BALANCE for Blind Adults. Please provide fee as a fixed cost assessment for the proposed scope of work, exclusive of HST.