CONTACT: Nicole Fulmino FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tel: 908-421-3595
Email: nicole@teamcharity.org
YOUNG PROFESSIONAL PHILANTHROPIC GROUP GIVES DONATION TO MDA
NUTLEY, NJ – October 31, 2007 – A new young professional organization gave $1,000 to the non-profit that was the catalyst of their formation.
Team Charity was formed in April 2007 after one of the co-founders was asked to be a team leader at the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Stride and Ride.
“I was trying to find a way to get my peers involved in raising money for the walk, “ explained Nicole Fulmino, 25. “I thought, there really should be an organization out there that targets young professionals and draws them into the world of philanthropy.”
Fulmino and her co-founder, Maria Cruz, also 25, were only too aware that young professionals are seriously underrepresented when it come to charitable works. Both have worked for non-profits and as fundraising consultants. Far too often, they find they are the youngest people in the room, whether at work or volunteering. This only supports the report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in “The NonProfit Times”, that states not only did fewer people volunteer in 2006 than 2005, but the age group that volunteered the least was those in their early 20’s.
“There are opportunities in high school. There are opportunities in college,” Cruz clarified. “But then you graduate and the opportunities drop off. Non-profits don’t target young professionals because they usually don’t have the money an older donor would. In turn, young professionals don’t support the non-profits. It’s a vicious cycle, but that is where Team Charity steps in.”
Team Charity’s mission is to advance philanthropic efforts by motivating young professionals through opportunities relevant and easily accessible for their generations. Currently, Team Charity participates as a group at other non-profit’s volunteer events and raises money through social events, like a happy hour, for a chosen non-profit in one of the following sectors: health, environment, children, seniors and animals. The first non-profit they decided to raise money for was the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
“It seemed the perfect choice,” said Fulmino. “Not only did the idea spring from my involvement in ‘Stride and Ride,’ but I have personally witnessed all support they provide.”
Fulmino was diagnosed with a form of Muscular Dystrophy called Charcot Marie Tooth at age 15. It is a progressive disease that mostly affects her feet, ankles and balance. Trying to help her cope with the situation, Fulmino’s parents took her to the annual Jerry Lewis Telethon taping that year.
“After seeing people with the more severe forms of MD, I immediately knew my calling in life was to help other people,” recalled Fulmino. “It lead me to my career choice - working with non-profits. It is ironic that only a decade later, the MDA once again pointed me in the right direction. And that was starting Team Charity.”
Team Charity is in the process of applying for their 501©3 certification. Once they have that they also plan to create some programming of their own. While they will continue to support other organizations, both financially and in a volunteer capacity, they also plan to create a mentoring program with an emphasis on philanthropy.
“We just started six months ago,” said Cruz. “But we already have a wonderful leadership team with a group of five other amazing people who truly believe in our mission as much as we do.”
The group, which started as just Fulmino and Cruz, is rounded out by Vice President - John Casciano, Secretary - Marc Cicero, Treasurer - Angel Rodriguez, Social Chair - Sandra Mouro, and board member Leandra Naranjo. So far the group has led 3 social fundraising events and 6 volunteer events. The three fundraising events yielded an $1,000 check that Fulmino and Cruz proudly handed over to MDA representatives Kristen San Filippo and Justine Carroll on Friday, October 12th.
“MDA is very thankful and greatly appreciates the donation,” said Filippo.
“This is just the beginning for us,” described Cruz. “Our constituency is growing and we hope our next designee gets double the amount!”
