COFCU matching gifts boost TBBCF bottom line
The only thing better than the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation (TBBCF) receiving $14,050 in donations from individuals who believe in its mission to fund breast cancer research, is getting a matching donation from the Charter Oak Federal Credit Union.
The combined donation from credit union members and the institution is $28,100 for this year.
During the campaign, which ran between August 19, 2022 and November 26, 2022, members could submit a request to match qualified donations. The amounts were matched in $25 increments up to $500 per member.
“We are grateful for the Charter Oak Matching Gift Program. Each year we receive thousands of additional dollars to direct toward breast cancer research for simply submitting a form,” said Pamela Morris Watt, matching grant administrator for TBBCF. “It is an easy way to boost fundraising dollars, and we are appreciative of the staff that administers the program and the extra time that our donors take to initiate the matching gift process.”
Since the start of the initiative in 2016, the combined giving of the credit union and its members has totaled over $2 million, which has gone directly to various organizations and foundations. During the 2022 program, Charter Oak matched a total of 800 donations from its members, which will provide assistance to 250 charities. This is the fourth consecutive year that the Credit Union’s Board of Directors has doubled the initial pledge of “$100,000 in 100 Days” to $200,000.
The first year of the program, TBBCF received $2,525 from Charter Oak. In 2017 the donation climbed to $5,600 and in 2018 it was $9,975. In 2019 and 2020, the match was around $12,000 and in 2021 it was $13,925.
TBBCF was founded 16 years ago to help find a cure for breast cancer and pledges 100 percent of its fundraising dollars to breast cancer research. To date, the foundation has raised more than $5.5 million and has funded 55 researchers who are working on a cure for cancer and better treatments for those who have breast cancer.