Largest individual gift to NOVA takes capital campaign over goal

With the receipt of a pledge of $350,000 from one of its own volunteer victim advocates, Network of Victim Assistance has exceeded its capital campaign goal of $1.9 million.

The gift to the Voices Against Violence Campaign is the largest individual gift received by the 40-year-old grassroots nonprofit and brings the campaign to a successful conclusion. The gift is earmarked to fund NOVA’s Mobile School Counseling Program for a period of five years.

The donor began working with NOVA in 2004 after retiring from her full time position in the health care field. After receiving NOVA’s intensive volunteer training, she started on the 24-hour Crisis Hotline that NOVA operates in Bucks County. Afterwards, she helped out in NOVA’s Jamison office with everything from stuffing envelopes to covering for the office manager when that person was on a long-term leave. More recently, she has found a niche in victim advocacy work where she assists victims to navigate the criminal justice system: attend criminal court hearings, help the client get connected to the district attorney in their case and explain the court process to help them prepare for the hearing.

“This is an immensely satisfying conclusion to our Voices Against Violence Campaign on so many levels,” says Barbara P. Clark, NOVA’s executive director. “Beyond her unprecedented financial generosity, we are so grateful for the ongoing generosity of spirit and time from this member of our NOVA family.

“Volunteers are the foundation and remain at the core of our organization. It’s how we started 40 years ago and it’s why we are able to continue. That she goes so much further in her commitment to NOVA’s mission by giving a gift of this magnitude is remarkable.”

The Voices Against Violence Campaign, co-chaired by former Pennsylvania governor Mark Schweiker and local art gallery owner Kim E. Gronendahl, was conceived to put the only comprehensive crime victim services agency in Bucks County on firmer financial footing. The campaign’s three objectives:

1. Capital acquisition, renovation and building reserve fund: $1.2 million
2. Critical programs and services: $350,000
3. Build endowment fund: $350,000

NOVA will honor donors and officially close the capital campaign on October 15, 2014, at its 40th anniversary celebration and auction at The Fuge in Warminster. For more information on this event, click here.