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For
30 years, The Nezinscot Guild has operated as a social purpose enterprise
providing work for people with developmental disabilities.
Our Maine-made wood products, re-packaging and kitting services
today serve companies close to home like Browne Trading Co and Raye's
Mustard, and Nationally recognized companies like specialty food retailer DEAN & DELUCA. During
our first year in operation in 1979 - when The Guild had total gross sales
of $138 - we were able to cover 1 percent of the cost of our operation.
At the time, many people said we would be hard pressed to ever
reach 50 percent self-sufficiency. Today,
our sales exceed $1 million annually and we have attained what some deemed
impossible: 90 percent self-sufficiency.
Until
recently, state funds helped us fill our budget gap by purchasing the
services we provided to Maine citizens with disabilities.
And that funding made sense because The Guild provides support,
training and employment opportunities to a traditionally hard to employ
population, generating payroll taxes for the state and providing money for
our employees to spend at local businesses.
In short, it cost the state pennies on the dollar to provide The
Guild with just enough funding to keep us operational, compared with other
programs serving people with developmental disabilities. However,
due to changes in both the state's public policy and its budget crisis
during this recession, funding to The Nezinscot Guild dropped from
$160,000 as recently as 2008 to nothing for our current fiscal year. Such
an abrupt cut-off of funding left The Guild little time to adjust, and
even though we continue to make strides toward total self-sufficiency, we
are faced with a budget shortfall for our current fiscal year, which could
seriously hamper our operations today and into the future.
For
that reason, I am reaching out to our friends in the community to seek
your support via a tax-deductible contribution to The Nezinscot Guild. Our
social purpose enterprise serves two very important functions in our
community: it provides jobs and quality Maine-made products to our
customers throughout the country, and it provides our employees with
developmental disabilities the self-esteem that comes from a job well done
while also putting money in their pockets.
This
has been our mission for more than 30 years.
In that time we have provided employment and vocational
opportunities for scores of employees, many of whom might not have any
other options for employment. We'd like to continue to provide this
service for another 30 years and beyond. With your valued support, we can
do just that.
Thank
you, Daniel
M. O'Shea Executive Director
Donor Levels: Leadership Circle - $1,000.00 + Guardian
- $500.00 - $999.00 Beacon
- $250.00 - $499.00 Advocate - $100.00
- $249.00 Friend of the Guild - up to $99.00 If you prefer, you can also mail your donation to: The Nezinscot Guild PO Box 121 Turner, ME 04282
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Donor Testimonials:
"The Nezinscot Guild has the noblest of purpose and goals - the encouragement and assistance for those less fortunate. In this mission, The Guild deserves the financial support of the broad community which it serves. To continue its success, The Guild needs the voluntary support of those who recognize this asset and are willing to assist in this most worthy endeavor." - Paul Flynn "It is with great pleasure that we write in support of the work of The Nezinscot Guild. For many years we have supported this fine endeavor, its social enterprise and have seen its business grow. The Guild has had a very positive and encouraging impact on persons with developmental disabilities who want to work." - Nancy and Hugh Devlin for the Navesink Foundation
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