Annual Report
A message from Vanessa Yakobson, Managing Director of Development and Strategy, POGO
We are very proud at POGO to have the continued support of some of the most generous foundations, corporations and individuals in this country. Total gross fundraising revenue during fiscal 2009 was $1,827,000, and during fiscal 2008 was $1,765,000. After accounting for the direct costs associated with POGO's Gala, the net fundraising revenue was $1,640,000 and $1,579,000 for these years respectively. The fundraising administrative cost was 32.2% of net fundraising revenue for fiscal 2009 (due to a one time funding allocation) and 23.2% for fiscal 2008.
While that is tremendous, it is not enough. To continue doing even more to help kids, their families and survivors, we need to raise over $2 million annually (net of event costs). The support of our valued donors helps to:
- Advance the POGO research agenda - enabling POGO to make major contributions to the global body of knowledge in childhood cancer
- Provide more financial assistance to a greater number of Ontario families with a child currently in cancer treatment
- Expand our supports to childhood cancer survivors facing cognitive challenges due to their illness (currently we serve about 200 survivors annually but there are nearly 3000 kids who could benefit from this program if we had more resources available)
- Foster knowledge transfer for the pediatric oncology community - with added support, we could expand our educational resources and programs
- Extend our knowledge and expertise to developing countries like those of Central America and help to improve the dismal survival rates of children there
If you would like to learn more about advances in the POGO programs outlined above, I encourage you to read our 2008/2009 donor report.
Sincerely,
Vanessa Yakobson
