We dearly appreciate starting this year's major fundraising event with a list of sponsors. Please read the following letter from Karen Joy Clark, WEI Executive Director, and print out the sponsor form. THANK YOU for considerting us for this year's tax deductible gift.
Dear Friends & Allies,
We at the Women’s Environmental Institute at Amador Hill are gearing up for our 2nd Annual 2009 Mother
Earth Banquet & Fundraiser on Thursday, October 1 — a time to honor the earth and Mothers of the
Environmental Justice Movement. This is WEI’s major annual fundraising event for environmental and
agricultural justice work. Eric Utne exclaimed at the close of our Inaugural Banquet last year: “This is one of
the most informative events I’ve ever been to. Do you realize that you have every major progressive player
right here in this room?”
It is our privilege to honor Erika Allen, Growing Power’s Chicago Urban Farm Coordinator, as our 2009
Mother of Environmental Justice and our keynote speaker. Erika, a powerful and creative justice advocate
and leader, is working tirelessly to develop community food centers through urban and small farm projects
in Chicago. Her food justice work in these difficult economic times provides an inspiring model and
challenging message, one you will want to hear!
This year, WEI is partnering with Growing Power, Inc of Milwaukee, (Will Allen’s revolutionary urban
agriculture model), to expand our environmental and agricultural justice mission in the Twin Cities. Since
WEI began five years ago, we have always considered food justice a critical component of environmental
justice. Our Community Supported Agriculture project (CSA), Organic Farm School, our three Cultural
Heritage Gardens, and the North Circle Project are successful components to date. On August 19th,
Growing Power named WEI their newest Regional Outreach Training Center!!
Your generous financial support for WEI’s leadership in this movement is critical, especially now that we
face serious public health and access issues related to our food supply. Your visible support can help send
an optimistic and hopeful message that this locally‐sourced & accessible organic food movement is
important, necessary, and revolutionary. Please see the enclosed sheet with sponsorship information.
WEI will list and thank all of our contributors on our website and the event program. In addition, our
emcee will thank you publicly at this October 1st event. Acknowledgment on our event marketing materials
is possible for those who commit early.
Please note that WEI is a non‐profit organization, exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of
the Internal Revenue Code. All donations are fully tax deductible as specified under federal law.
I hope WEI can rely on your sponsorship this year. Please contact our event coordinator Blake Traylor or at
651.209.3934 or by email: blake@w‐e‐i.org or contact me personally at 612.237.7156.
Very sincerely yours,
Karen Joy Clark
Executive Director
612.237.7156
