At the RFC, we plan far ahead for major events and milestones. So it was not unusual that in 2008 we already were thinking about how we would mark our 20th anniversary, which fell in September 2010. A committee of staff and Board kicked around various ideas for how we could reflect upon our first two decades and emphasize our vision for the years to come, while including as many members of our community as possible.

The idea we hatched was to hold a series of 20 events in 20 cities in 20 months — house parties, primarily. Our goal was to strengthen ties with long-time supporters, while hopefully attracting new people as well. We also wanted to provide a vehicle for our community to get to know Jenn Meeropol, Robert’s daughter, who has begun transitioning into the leadership role she will assume at the RFC when Robert retires.

In September 2009, we launched the “20/20/20” series with a terrific house party in Albany, NY. That initial success was prophetic for the campaign as a whole. As a result of widespread enthusiasm from our community, we ended up holding 26 events, over 21 months, in 25 cities located throughout 15 states. The itinerary even included Canada, where in Toronto we had one of the largest turnouts. Most of these occasions were receptions in private homes, but a few were held in large public venues such as our local Gala in western Massachusetts in October 2010, that had over 250 guests.

We’re thrilled to report that more than 1000 people in total attended these events and many others who couldn’t make it to their local programs still sent contributions. Along with reconnecting with so many of our old friends, this series also generated nearly 400 new RFC donors, and almost 100 others who joined our mailing list to learn about our work. Financially, the series also was a huge boon to our granting fund, especially coming as it did in the midst of this prolonged economic downturn. The “20/20/20” campaign netted more than $62,000 after expenses!

All members of the RFC extended family should be very proud of this 20th anniversary campaign, of the $4 million we’ve been able to award in grants since our founding as a result of your generosity, and of the many other things you’ve collectively done to support RFC beneficiaries in our first two decades. It is most gratifying to know that the base from which we launch into our next 20 years is so vibrant and strong.