Worcester Business Journal

12 Giving Guide 2024 Worcester Business Journal www.wbjournal.com FUTURE GOALS 1. Increase ACE's impact on African refugee and immigrant youth and families through growing our programming and services to accommodate the rapidly increasing and evolving needs of the community. 2. Strengthen ACE's commitment to employee success and professional development. 3. Grow ACE's resource development efforts to ensure the organization's long- term financial standing. 4. Complete our $11 million Living Together comprehensive fundraising campaign. 5. Strengthen ACE's ability to fully utilize our new facility by completing renovations of the first floor and gymnasium, improving security, and purchasing additional passenger vans. FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES e ACE Gala, our largest event, is held each year in November, this year on November 9, 2024 at Mechanics Hall. e Gala features authentic African food, performances, keynote and student speakers, and the ACE Student Fashion Show. Sponsorship opportunities, table or individual ticket purchases, and donations to the silent suction and raffle are all welcome. e ACE Festival is a community celebration held at the end of the school year each June. Sponsorship opportunities, paid tabling opportunities, and donations are all welcome. Africa Day is a two-part event including a panel of local African experts and student showcase and takes place each year in May. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Donor & Volunteer Appreciation Night takes place in April each year. A night to honor all of our supporters, sponsorships and donations for the evening's raffle are welcome. Groups, organizations, and companies are invited to partake in peer-to-peer fundraisers on ACE's behalf. We will help set up a group with custom fundraising pages allowing them to raise donations from their networks. GIVING OPPORTUNITIES e Living Together Campaign is our comprehensive fundraising campaign to renovate our new facility, expand our programs and services, and increase the long-term sustainability of the organization. Individuals, corporations, and foundations are invited to contribute and help us reach our $11 million goal. Gis can be made for a period of up to five years and naming opportunities start at $10,000. e Post-Secondary Success Campaign runs each spring and raises money to support ACE graduates as they begin life aer high school. Funds are distributed directly to ACE graduates for needs including tuition, books, rent, laptops, etc. e ACE Community Fund is an ongoing form of mutual aid that allows donors to give directly in solidarity with ACE community members. All donations are distributed directly to ACE families to help them with necessities including rent, groceries, utilities, etc. Our Kupanda Recurring Giving Community is a special community of donors who have made a recurring commitment to ACE. Donors can choose to make a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual contribution to ACE and receive membership benefits. Donations made via online gis or checks to our Annual Fund are always welcome. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Volunteers are always needed for our Aer School, Saturday, and Adult ESOL programs. Many volunteers offer their time once a week, and some as many as five days a week. We also have a special group of dedicated volunteers who serve as one-on-one mentors to ACE students. is entails building an ongoing relationship with an ACE mentee for at least one year. Occasionally, volunteer groups are needed for special events. We invite businesses and organizations with volunteer groups to reach out to us directly. African Community Education Bob Bureau, Happier Retirement, Vice Chairperson Abigail Abena A. Mensah, Worcester Academy, Treasurer Dr. Chengeto Vera, Pediatric Dentist, Secretary BOARD MEMBERS Isaac Mawuko Adusu, Seven Hills Foundation Josiah T. Bote, UMass Chan Medical School Trent Masiki, Worcester Polytechnic Institute Patience Noah, Patience Noah Insurance LLC Maryan D. Ryan, Westborough Public Schools Joshua Jackson Selly, U.S. Public Health Service Inez Williams-Gaye, Massachusetts Teachers Association Steve Winston, Massachusetts Education & Career Opportunities Inc. "African Community Education (ACE) resonates with me because it embodies the essence of compassion and empowerment. As an African immigrant, I understand the transformative power of education and support. ACE's dedication to providing aer-school programs for African refugee children reflects a commitment to nurturing their potential and fostering a sense of belonging. It's a privilege to serve as the Chair of the Board, knowing that we are making a tangible difference in the lives of many children, helping them build brighter futures despite the challenges they may face in public school education." - Biodun Akande, Board Chair 51 Gage St. Worcester, MA 01605 Phone: (508) 459-2284 africancommunityeducation.org Full-time Employees: 25 Annual Revenues: $2,300,322 Year founded: 2006 MISSION STATEMENT To assist African refugee and immigrant youth and families in achieving educational and social stability through access to academic support, leadership development, cultural expression, and community outreach. SERVICE AREA Worcester and surrounding communities. TOP FUNDING SOURCES 37% Individual donors 26% Foundation Grants 14% State Grants and Contracts Kaska Yawo Executive Director & Co-Founder Biodun Akande Biodun Akande Realty LLC Board Chair

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