To inspire sustained growth in Trailblazer-level giving ($1,000+ annually) and fund Full Speed Ahead, MITA’s current strategic plan, the MITA Board of Trustees and the Arcadia Charitable Trust have created a $100,000 pool of new, restricted funds to match increases in giving of $500 or more.  This special initiative is called the Trailblazer Challenge.

Here is a projection of the Trailblazer growth MITA is seeking:

Trailblazer Challenge Guidelines

Funds from the challenge pool will be released based on the following criteria:

• Any increase of $500+ in annual giving that results in Trailblazer status ($1000+ in annual giving) will be matched 1:1
  • Example 1: if a donor made a $500 gift and $250 gift in 2020, they would need to give at least $1250 in 2021 to activate matching funds in that year
  • Example 2: if a donor increased their giving from $250 to $750, that would not qualify for matching funds, but if they went from $250 to $1000, it would qualify for a $750 match
• The increase will be based on the total giving for a donor in the most recent year in which they made a gift
  • Example: if a donor gave $1000 in 2019, nothing in 2020, then $1000, that would not qualify for matching funds
• Donors can leverage matching funds from the pool multiple times (as long as they satisfy all rules)
  • Example: if a donor gave $500 in 2020 and then $1000 in 2021 and $1500 in 2022, they will activate two $500 matching gifts from the pool
• First-time donors qualify to have their funds matched as long as their gifts are consistent with other rules
• Matching funds will be released on an annual basis on 9/30 each year, the last day of the FY
• The challenge pool will remain active until funds have been fully released

*Years refer to MITA’s Fiscal Year (October 1 to September 30)