Girls Gotta Run Foundation Incorporated
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My husband, Stephen Fraunfelter, and I have lived all over the world as a military couple. We have seen the sadness that dictators and Iron Curtains lay at the feet of the people of their countries. And we know we cannot turn our backs or walk away from doing something to help. When Pat and Jim approached us for help we knew that all of the money we were giving to them would go to help the girls so we jumped right in. We are proud to see the work that GGRF has pulled together has grown into such a strong network of support. We do not have children and this is our way of paying forward for a stronger world by helping young people climb out of desperate situations. And we are blessed to be member of GGRF since its inception.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I am proud to be a member of GGRF, because I have seen the good works that the foundation has accomplished over the past 5 years. From just supplying shoes to giving support and guidance to the girls with other supplies and items to the families.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Give GGRF a lot more money so they can help a lot more girls.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
My money is going directly to the foundation and isn't being syphoned off for expensive homes and flashy cars.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
I think the board of directors are the hardest, most unassuming people in the world. They truly want to make a difference in the lives of young women.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Change the lives of a whole nation. The program doesn't just give money, it changes the circumstances of the way these women will grow and educate themselves and their families.
Ways to make it better...
If I had lived closer to the foundations headquarters. I would love to have met the women that the organization has helped and heard what they think would help even more for the girls to keep growing.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Financial support from people concerned about the prosperity of the next generation.
One thing I'd also say is that...
It has been an honor to know Pat and Jim and their dedication is apparent every time I receive an email from GGRF, of how much the girls have changed and grown over the years.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About once a year
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I first learned about Girls Gotta Run Foundation (GGRF) through their excellent and widespread reputation within the Washington DC running community. However when I learned more about their organization I realized a main strength: they reach out to so many more people than just runners. Their board of directors, advisory board, volunteers, and network of supporters spans the communities of not only running but also education, international development, and art. Through all of these connections they achieve unique success in two critical areas: 1) raising funds, and 2) distributing those funds in an informed, considered, and knowledgable way, such that their mission is achieved as effectively as possible. With regard to raising funds, it is a rare organization that can raise money through art sales, portions of online book sales, and marathon running all in the same year! It is this diversity of consideration that has enabled a small organization comprised entirely of volunteer help to nonetheless raise exceptional amounts of money. Then, with regard to distributing funds, GGRF has partnered with a total of four ‘teams’ of female Ethiopian athletes. These teams include Team Tesfa (20 girls), the Simien Girl Runners (10 girls), Team Naftech (7 girls), and Running Across Borders (my own organization; 5 girls). Team Tesfa and Running Across Borders are based outside of Ethiopia while the Simien Girl Runners and Team Naftech are operated entirely by Ethiopian citizens. Thus a balance of perspectives are represented among these partner groups, as are perhaps a balance of approaches toward the mission of supporting impoverished Ethiopian girls who are training to become runners. It has taken the diversity and balance of GGRF’s network to successfully make such a variety of connections, and carefully evaluate the funding needs of each group. GGRF is a unique and interesting foundation with a strong impact on the world through the mission it pursues.
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The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the ways it has provided essential funding to assist with the operations of my organization Running Across Borders.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the creative and careful approach they have taken to raising funding and distributing it such that it has the greatest positive impact on its mission.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
extremely interesting, intelligent, talented, and dedicated people from a wide diversity of disciplines.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
support every girl in Ethiopia who has a passion for long-distance running (which is a LARGE fraction of the country's female population), by allowing them to escape servitude and live better lives through pursuit of this passion.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
My friend Pat Ortman, a DC area retired women's studies professor, was inspired by a Washington Post article titled
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Being involved with publishing accounts of the teams supported, of art exhibits and events to raise funds for the organization, and of news accounts and interviews about the organization.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
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