 | $12,000 in funding so far “a jump start for an amazingly generous meetings industry” WASHINGTON, DC, November 30, 2015 – Since its launch in September 2015, The Meetings Industry Fund has raised over $12,000 from generous donors across the meetings industry. The Fund provides financial assistance during times of crisis to individuals who are directly involved in the planning, execution, delivery and support of meetings. For example, if a meeting professional is out of work and suddenly faces a medical emergency, The Meetings Industry Fund can be there to help. |
Recent major gifts such as $1,500 from Travelport; $1,000 from the Moana Surfrider, a Westin Resort & Spa on Oahu, Hawaii; and $1,000 from the Three City Alliance (Portland, Pittsburgh and Milwaukee) have helped to grow the fund significantly in a very short time.
The Fund has already provided grants to two people in need. One was a person saddled for over a year with unpaid medical bills with no way of paying. Within 24 hours of receiving the application, the Meetings Industry Fund Board of Directors approved the request and provided a grant of $2,600 to help the person.
The other person was in an abusive relationship for years. The abusive spouse left the family broke and traumatized, which led to a child becoming suicidal. The child had been in therapy but insurance ran out. Money was requested for six months of counseling and was quickly approved.
“Can you imagine knowing your child is suicidal and yet have no money to get them help?,” said David Peckinpaugh, president, Maritz Travel Company and Experient, one of the founders of the Fund. “These people epitomize the reason we established The Meetings Industry Fund. The entire Board of Directors of the Fund is thrilled to be able to help people like this in our industry, especially during the holiday season.”
“This initial level of funding got us started and helped two people who really needed assistance,” said Chuck Fazio, another founder of the Fund. “But this is just a jump start for an amazingly generous meetings industry that I know will step up and allow us to help many more people in need. I hope we can achieve our goal of reaching $100,000 in donations by end of the year.”
Donations can be made online at The Meetings Industry Fund website at www.themeetingsindustryfund.org. The website also has details on how to apply for assistance, the people behind the Fund, and frequently asked questions.
The Fund has already provided grants to two people in need. One was a person saddled for over a year with unpaid medical bills with no way of paying. Within 24 hours of receiving the application, the Meetings Industry Fund Board of Directors approved the request and provided a grant of $2,600 to help the person.
The other person was in an abusive relationship for years. The abusive spouse left the family broke and traumatized, which led to a child becoming suicidal. The child had been in therapy but insurance ran out. Money was requested for six months of counseling and was quickly approved.
“Can you imagine knowing your child is suicidal and yet have no money to get them help?,” said David Peckinpaugh, president, Maritz Travel Company and Experient, one of the founders of the Fund. “These people epitomize the reason we established The Meetings Industry Fund. The entire Board of Directors of the Fund is thrilled to be able to help people like this in our industry, especially during the holiday season.”
“This initial level of funding got us started and helped two people who really needed assistance,” said Chuck Fazio, another founder of the Fund. “But this is just a jump start for an amazingly generous meetings industry that I know will step up and allow us to help many more people in need. I hope we can achieve our goal of reaching $100,000 in donations by end of the year.”
Donations can be made online at The Meetings Industry Fund website at www.themeetingsindustryfund.org. The website also has details on how to apply for assistance, the people behind the Fund, and frequently asked questions.
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