How Mitrata Can Grow In The Future
My name is Nancy Williger and I sponsored Ishwori, Mitrata’s first child. I have been involved with Mitrata since the very early days before it was its own not-profit organization and was operating under the auspices of OUEST, another non-profit working in Nepal. I have watched this organization grow from a few people meeting together to figure out how to get more sponsors and how to get enough money to send to Nepal every three months to an organization with staff, budgets, a five-year strategic plan, a vibrant and involved Board of Directors, an Advisory Board, fundraising events, an endowment, and a healthy balance in the bank. All of this is due to the efforts of many but has been driven and organized by the Executive Director, Dr. Christine Schutz. It has become more than I could have imagined.
In the years I have been involved with Mitrata and on the Board of Directors, I have watched Ishwori grow up into a beautiful woman.I first met her in 2009 and we were able to connect on all of my three subsequent trips to Nepal.She has graduated from Mitrata and is supports herself working as a social worker.I now sponsor Pratichya who is also studying to be a social worker.Without Mitrata, both of these young women would be so vulnerable in Nepal as the opportunities for women are few unless you have money.
Meeting Ishwori in 2009
Dinner out in 2011
Coffee together in 2015
Thinking about all of this spurs me to imagine how Mitrata may continue to grow into the future. I can easily imagine a second Contact Center in Kathmandu, doubling the current number of children we are sponsoring. I can also imagine another branch in Pokhara with a Contact Center there and a program to sponsor children who live there. I can also imagine the need to be able to pay a full time Executive Director (for those who don’t know or have forgotten, Christine donates all her time) and hire full time staff to support our growing list of sponsors, plan events, and manage accounting needs. I deeply hope that Mitrata can continue to grow into the future and I want to be able to help that happen.
Children enrolled in the Contact Center, our early childhood development program
Because of this hope, I have made arrangements with my estate planner to continue to help Mitrata after I am gone. A few years ago, the Board developed a Planned Giving Program to help donors and sponsors do what I have done. You can find more information on the website, www.mitrata.org., or you can reach out to me (nawillgr@aol.com) or Christine (drcmschutz@gmail.com) if you have questions. There are a variety of ways to donate; I chose to make sure the donation will come out of my SEP IRA to make it easier on my heirs. We also have information about methods to put in place now to maximize the tax deduction for your current contributions. I have taken a yearly donation out of what I must annually remove from my SEP (my Required Minimum Distribution) so that reduces the income attributed to me and, thus, my tax bill. Another option, (especially if you have not attained that certain age that requires an RMD) is to open a Donor Advised Fund. The money you put in that fund is deducted from your taxable income and then you can write checks from there to any charity you choose.
Ishwori, Me and Pratichya in 2017
I know all of this sounds complicated and may make your eyes glaze over. I know that estate planning is hard to think about and easy to put off. I also know that I feel better knowing that I have done my part to help MItrata flourish in the future.
Please reach out to us with your questions.
Nancy