Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/722655
16 Worcester Business Journal • Giving Guide 2016 www.wbjournal.com Future Goals • To effectively serve the largest percentage of legally blind individuals in Central Massachusetts. • To expand our reach to include the elder population who, though not legally blind, could still benefit from our services. • To expand our programming to remain useful, current and pertinent. • To take advantage of new technology that enables us to serve a growing population, without leaving behind those unable to grasp or afford said technology. • To provide an effective and rewarding volunteer opportunity for a diverse cross-section of our community, including those with different abilities. • To provide employment experience and opportunities for legally blind individuals. • To lend our expertise to community projects that benefit those with different abilities. Fundraising Events/Opportunities • Our annual fundraiser has focused on a live audience radio production featuring our own performance group, Radio-Active Theatre. This event offers opportunities for corporate sponsorships, program advertising, donation of auction items, in-kind giving and ticket sales. • Sponsorship or underwriting of specific on-air programs by individuals or businesses is available for a variety of programs. • Upcoming events will include a "text-a-thon," wine tasting dinner and golf tournament. • Audio services, such as converting printed matter to audio, studio rental and audio description of performances or exhibitions are available. Volunteer Opportunities Audio Journal offers an engaging way to serve the community in a variety of ways: • on-air readers are trained and assigned with a flexible schedule • outreach ambassadors search for opportunities to inform groups about our services • tech savvy volunteers assist with hardware and software needs • board members steer the ship to keep on course with the Audio Journal mission and assist with fund raising and community issues Giving Opportunities • Audio Journal has established a new Legacy Giving Program, "Four Simple Ways to Give," to assist those considering providing for the future health and growth of the agency. • Giving opportunities exist in the form of our direct individual and corporate appeals. • Memorial gifts are a meaningful way to express one's support of our work. Board of Directors MISSION STATEMENT Service area: Audio serves all of Central Massachusetts with local, current news and information. The service is available world-wide through our on-line streaming and archived programming. A nonprofit broadcast and community service, which seeks to inform and empower people who are visually impaired or who, for any reason, face barriers accessing information, culture and employment opportunities. The Memorial Foundation for the Blind .................. 39% Local Foundations ......... 18% MA Commission for the Blind ...................................... 10% Top funding sources: Edward J. Connor, Jr., Board President VOYA – Archstone Financial Maribeth Fisher Seven Hills Community Services Alise M. Karle Millbury Federal Credit Union Arthur Lindberg, Board Treasurer New England Low Vision James M. Meola Spectrum Services Elizabeth Myska Attorney at Law Jack Peacock, Board Secretary Commplements Caroline J. Toomey-Gitto MAB Community Services Audio Journal Inc. 799 West Boylston Street Worcester, MA 01606 Phone: 508-797-1117 www.audiojournal.net Full-time employees: 3 Annual revenues: $244,000 Year founded: 1987 Audio Journal provides such a wonderful, effective opportunity to serve a very vulnerable population of family, friends and neighbors. Blindness is an issue no one wants to face, but can happen in an instant. We are all aware that life goes on in spite of the great challenges it presents. Working together to make life just a little easier is most gratifying. – Edward J. Connor, Jr., Board President Edward J. Connor Jr. VOYA – Archstone Financial Board President Vincent dePaul Lombardi Executive Director Audio Journal Inc. Before I had vision, now I don't. Audio Journal is my connection to the world.