Partnership Inspires $1.7 Million for Arthritis

Since The Patterson Foundation began inspiring donations to the Arthritis Foundation Florida Chapter (AFFC) by matching donations in 2010, AFFC has raised nearly $1.7 million through its annual statewide Jingle Bell Run/Walk events. From the winter 2011 events alone, The Patterson Foundation will match $233,413 in increased donations raised. The match, along with an additional $682,480 raised by the AFFC during the 2011 events, creates a total of $915,893 to support vital research and education programs designed to improve the quality of life for those with arthritis. 

Along with it being the second consecutive year The Patterson Foundation issued a matching challenge to drive donations for the Jingle Bell Run/Walk events, it is also the second year The Patterson Foundation provided strategic communications consulting to uplift AFFC’s fundraising capability. 

“By engaging in collaborative philanthropy with AFFC beyond writing a check, we are helping to create new realities for the organization and for Floridians with arthritis,” said Debra Jacobs, president and CEO of The Patterson Foundation. “This partnership with AFFC is a model example of our philosophy. In 2010, our goal was to inspire philanthropy throughout Florida in the fight against arthritis, and over the past two years, the generous response from Floridians and the enthusiasm of AFFC has been overwhelming.”

In 2010, The Patterson Foundation, through its strategic communications partner, assisted AFFC as they developed social media outreach plans. In 2011, The Patterson Foundation worked to build AFFC’s capacity in other areas of communications, including leveraging sponsorships, building relationships with media and maximizing social media to improve fundraising. 

As a result of this collaboration, Jingle Bell Run/Walk donations made to AFFC increased 300 percent over the past two years.

“We are extremely grateful for all the support from The Patterson Foundation over the last two years,” said Anne Fair Forrest, president and CEO of the Arthritis Foundation Florida Chapter. “Nearly one-in-three Floridians live with a form of arthritis and this is not acceptable. Our partnership with The Patterson Foundation has truly transformed our way of working. It allowed us access to expertise that has been inspirational, as well as, educational. The lessons we have learned will serve the Florida Chapter and its constituents far into the future.”