![]() ![]() According to the organization’s Form 990s, fundraising expenses were just $54,841 in 2003 before jumping to $553,212 and $557,106 in the last two years, while direct public support dropped during that same period, from $416,059 in 2003 to $114,798 and $104,799. Judging by the financial documents, one might conclude that Heroic Choices hasn’t been successful. “In our efforts to initially reach out to 9/11 families, what we found was, there were a lot who did not want to come forward and take advantage of the mentoring services that were being offered and we made a decision” to include but not be limited to September 11 families. The foundation heard “loud and clear” from September 11 families that they did not want to be characterized as September 11 families anymore, Beatty said. Heroic Choices recently issued a national paper on resiliency and post-traumatic stress disorder (A National Children’s Resiliency Response Initiative) and has been in contact about its resiliency training with Gulf states affected by Hurricane Katrina. Originally created to meet the long-term needs of children who lost a parent in the terrorist attacks, the nonprofit has been branching out beyond New York City. ![]() “For us to have a more long-term viability, we had to turn the organization into focusing on the services delivered, not where the organization came from,” Beatty said. Lisa Beamer continues to serve on the board of the foundation but declined a request for an interview. As in any 9/11 charity, Beatty said, “the farther you get away from the event, the more difficult it is to raise funds.” The past two years, a little more than $100,000 has been received in public support. The foundation enjoyed total contributions of $1 million and $2.8 million for 20, respectively, as well as more than $900,000 in royalty income from Lisa Beamer’s book and other organizations that used the trademark phrase “Let’s Roll” that Todd Beamer used before he and other passengers engaged hijackers. About 50 kids ages 8 to 12 are served annually by the program, meeting four times a year for intensive resiliency training in addition to various retreats, CEO Alice Mae Britt said, adding that the year-long counseling costs almost $5,000 per child. Founded by Beamer’s wife Lisa and his friends, the organization provides programs to build resiliency in children who have experienced trauma, partnering with agencies to deliver free counseling services. The Princeton, N.J.-based nonprofit was named for the late Todd Beamer who died aboard United Airlines Flight 93 when it went down in Shanksville, Pa. Whether it’s volunteers, whether it’s paid staff, the resources, the decision, they all have an equal chance.” “It really is a question of, what does the board think is the best use of everyone’s time. ![]() The past two years have seen more than a third of the nonprofit’s $2.8 million in total expenses go for “fundraising expenses” with less than $1 million listed for “program services.”Īsked whether continuing as an organization is still a viable option given the financial circumstances, Beatty said he believes it is, perhaps just a matter of what form. Renamed Heroic Choices some three years ago, the organization ended 2005 with $177,539 in net assets, according to its most recent Form 990, down from more than $2.7 million at the same time two years ago, while spending more on fundraising and consultants than program services or development. “Can you find one with a similar history? That’s probably very difficult to do.” “If you want to merge with another organization, you want to find one that has similar values, similar mission statements,” Beatty said. “What’s best for the children involved and what’s best for the organization and the use of the resources, not only defined as financial resources, but like any nonprofit, you have the volunteers and others involved in it,” he said. “There’s pluses and minuses on all three of the scenarios, and the real question is what’s best for everybody,” Beatty said. Beamer Foundation, now doing business as Heroic Choices, expects the board to make a decision by the end of March from among three choices: continue as is, merge with a similar organization, or shut down entirely. William Beatty, chairman of the board of the Todd M. Beamer Foundation will make a decision about its future in the coming weeks. Faced with dwindling finances, the Todd M. The organization that rallied a nation after the September 11 terror attacks with the phrase “Let’s Roll” is looking for a rescue of its own. ![]()
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