Dear Valued Friend of the Amy Biehl Foundation, The purpose of this letter is to ask for your help. The ABF finds itself at a crossroads; we need to examine our long-term sustainability and direction. This letter outlines our needs along with our plans for the future. Please take time to read this document thoroughly and consider our request. MISSION STATEMENT The Amy Biehl Foundation aspires to be an engineer in the bridge building process between the world's privileged and less privileged; we use education, opportunity, interactive dialogue, and life skills as our tools. OUR NEEDS For the past ten years the ABF has infused all raised funds directly into the townships of South AFrica. Following the launch of the Amy Biehl Foundation Trust in 1997, the ABF has acted as a conduit sending all monies to the Trust in Cape Town. There has been no infrastructure in place here in the United States. Our recent renovation of the website and the printing of our newsletters make up the majority of funds spent in America. The ABF lacks the financial resources necessary to establish a "home base" in the country where we live and receive the majority of our financial support. We are asking for $100.00 (+) from one thousand of our most eager supporters to go directly toward the following: A) Long Term- Sustainability: The Amy Biehl Foundation's financial support from USAID ends in 2005. We are taking appropriate steps to secure our effective programs in South Africa. However, we must secure future leadership. If we can't create a solid infrastructure and a home base of operations in the United States, our work in South Africa cannot sustain itself. B) Increase Involvement in the United States: The ABF is often asked to participate and/or initiate activities, events or programs here in the States or other nations. The ABF knows that the lessons learned at the "grass roots" level in South Africa could serve as valuable models throughout the world. The ABF needs a home base of operations to take advantage of and/or initiate funding opportunities at any time or place. This often proves difficult due to Linda's hectic travel schedule and we find ourselves asking the question "could we have benefited by doing this?" far too often. C) Fund American Operations Manager Position:   1) Zach Biehl: Following the death of Peter Biehl, Zach has become extremely vital in the life of the ABF. Zach is 26 years old and is willing and able to work full time for the Foundation. Currently, Zach is making a very meager salary as the American Operations Manager. This salary will not allow him to continue this valuable work for much longer. He represents the future leadership of the Amy Biehl Foundation and his ability and desire to continue the legacy of our family is critical for the future. The Foundation cannot afford to lose his work as it would have a grave effect on the long-term sustainability of the ABF.   a) American Operations Manager Job Description:   1) Operation Manager: run the day-to-day operations of the Foundation in the United States. Maintain correspondence via telephone, mail, and email. Conduct all office tasks, filing, organizing materials, etc. Coordinate travel for Linda Biehl or other ABF staff. Coordinate volunteers and fundraising events. 2) Fundraising: investigate, contact, and propose funding opportunities to future partners of the Amy Biehl Foundation. 3) Newsletter Coordinator: update mailing list, oversee and edit content and ensure distribution. Our newsletters have proven a valuable fundraising tool for the past ten years. 4) Website Editor: update and change website material on a monthly basis. The newly designed website is a constant promotional tool for the ABF and our programs. We must continue to ensure that new developments and/or fundraising opportunities are displayed for our supporters. 5) Speaker: represent the Amy Biehl Foundation through public appearances and invited speaking engagements. D) Small salaries/fees for contracted financial services and other miscellaneous work. E) Office Facility: currently the ABF operates out of a small room in the condo shared by Linda, Zach and his fiancee Denise. We need a separate office that would provide us with the space to utilize the many willing volunteers and a proper venue to hold meetings with potential partners/funders. F) WHY SHOULD YOU HELP? Most of you are well aware of the success of the Amy Biehl Foundation over the past ten years. We have learned many valuable lessons over this time. Our reputation as a "true grass roots" organization has led to countless requests for assistance from all over the globe. We know that the ABF can continue to provide tremendous aid to the people of South Africa as well as share our methods with others in our global society. We will never abandon our grass roots methodology or approach, we only want to continue our work and assert an even louder voice as "advocates of action". If you take into account the impact of the ABF over the past ten years, imagine what the future holds. WE NEED YOUR HELP; TOGETHER WE CAN AND WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE. If you have any questions about any of these issues please contact Linda or Zach Biehl by telephone (949) 650-5356 or email at info@amybiehl.org If you wish to contribute to these efforts please send a check to the following address: The Amy Biehl Foundation P.O. Box 66 San Marcos, CA 92079-0066 ** ALONG WITH YOUR TAX DEDUCTABLE DONATION PLEASE NOTE YOUR WISH TO SUPPORT THE ABF USA INFRASTRUCTURE. WE WILL NOT USE ANY DONATED FUNDS FOR THIS PROJECT WITHOUT DESIGNATION** Warmest regards, Linda Biehl Director, Amy Biehl Foundation www.facebook.com/usaabf www.goodradioshows.org/peaceTalksL141.htm  Peace Talks Radio: Compelling radio interviews with LINDA BIEHL & EASY NOFEMELA about the TRC and their perspectives today. www.wordsofwomen.org/catalog.php  LINDA BIEHL wins the Words of Women 2015 Essay of the Year. Congratulations to WILL KENDALL who is set to become an MLK Scholar at St. Louis University in the Fall of 2015! We are proud of you. Congratulations to our friend Deepa Bharath for an amazing article on the new book The Forgiveness Project: Hundreds of stories from around the world on forgiveness, reconciliation and peace. Congratulations to Carole Sams Hoemeke our ABF USA board member who just received the Volunteer of the Year Award in Forsyth County Schools after 23 years working in schools professionally and as a volunteer.
Donations can be sent to: Amy Biehl Foundation P.O. Box 66 San Marcos, CA 92079-0066 Phone: 949.650.5356 Or Donate securely online through PayPal.com: