TAKE THE CHALLENGE on AUG.18th @ 10 a.m.

ArtServe is excited to be one of 75 organizations in southeast Michigan accepted by the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan to participate in the Community Foundation Challenge – Arts & Culture. This is an exciting opportunity for ArtServe to connect with loyal and new donors in support of its work to advocate for arts, culture and arts education in Michigan. And, it’s a way to leverage funding from the Community Foundation to support ArtServe’s efforts in the southeast Michigan region and statewide!

Like many of its non-profit partners, this year has presented financial challenges for ArtServe Michigan and the organization has sharpened its priorities where it can have maximum impact – leading statewide advocacy efforts, capacity building for artists and arts/cultural organizations, and strategic communications. ArtServe has also reduced its operational costs by over 25% and restructured its staff team to maximize its resources and build capacity for the future.

In the midst of these challenging times, we must strengthen our efforts to raise awareness of the importance of arts and culture in building vibrant communities and re-inventing Michigan’s economy for the future. This Challenge will help provide needed operating support so ArtServe can continue its efforts to engage and equip new advocates and supporters at this moment of opportunity as we are poised to influence new leadership with the 2010 gubernatorial election. You can make a difference by taking part in the Challenge!

The Challenge

Beginning August 18 at 10:00 a.m. the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, through the Community Foundation Challenge – Arts & Culture, is providing up to $1 million to match general operating gifts made online at www.cfsem.org to support participating arts and cultural organizations, including ArtServe Michigan. A match of $1 will be provided for every $2 contributed!

Take Action on August 18 at 10 a.m.!

Matching funds will be awarded on a “first gift, first match” basis. The matching program will end as soon as the $1 million of match funds are gone. With 75 participating organizations, the matching funds will go quickly! So mark your calendar to go to www.cfsem.org at 10:00 a.m. on August 18 to make a gift in support of ArtServe Michigan.

Gifts Eligible for Match

Starting August 18, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. gifts for the Community Foundation Challenge can be made online at www.cfsem.org to support ArtServe Michigan and other participating arts and cultural organizations. Through the Web site, donors can choose one or more organizations to receive support by using a simple menu to locate organizations participating in the challenge. Gifts must be made online by credit card or e-check and can range from $25 to $10,000 per contributor, per organization. Only completed gifts will be matched – no pledges.

Please Share the News

Please forward this e-mail to your friends and colleagues who care about the importance of arts, culture and arts education in Michigan. The Challenge is targeted to support arts and cultural organizations in southeast Michigan, but contributions made online at www.cfsem.org for ArtServe Michigan will also provide critical support for our work as the leading advocate of arts, culture and arts education across Michigan and its communities! Donations made online at www.cfsem.org for ArtServe Michigan on August 18 leverage funding from the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan in support of our statewide mission. This is a great opportunity to raise general operating support for the arts and cultural organizations in southeast Michigan and statewide!

For More Information

For more details on the Challenge, visit www.cfsem.org. If you have any questions or desire assistance with processing your contribution on August 18th, please contact Mike Latvis, ArtServe’s Director of Public Policy at mike@artservemichigan.org or 248-379-5897.