Summer 2007 marked a turning point for Range Women's Advocates with the debut of The Jo Sullivan Endowment Fund.  The fund was named to honor Jo Sullivan, one of the co-founders of the program who lost her battle with cancer in 2006.  The memorials that came "in her name" were the impetus of the Endowment Fund.  When the Board of Directors donated a portion of the net proceeds from the "Benefit of Chocolate" fundraiser held last year, the Endowment Fund finally became a reality.

 

We honored Jo Sullivan at an Open House last summer, and her husband Mike and daughter Erin were on hand for the presentation of a $15,000 check to Jennifer Hoffman, who will be managing the fund through the Minnesota Community Foundation.

 

Representative Tony Sertich, DFL-Chisholm, also read a resolution recognizing Jo's contributions to ending domestic violence at the Capitol in St. Paul, Minn., last spring.  Establishing an endowment was a landmark achievement for our nonprofit organization.  It will help to address the sustainability goals of the organization and ensure that Jo's dedication to the victims of domestic violence will go on and continue the work of RWA in perpetuity.

 

If you are interested in donating to The Jo Sullivan Endowment Fund, contact the office for details (218) 749-5054.  Donation envelopes will soon be available at area funeral homes, attorneys, tax accountants and financial planners.