Family Giving Tree

Last week, our Board of Directors announced a significant leadership transition. After nearly 35 years of generous and dedicated service, Jennifer Cullenbine, our organization's Founder and long-time CEO, will retire at the end of 2024. Jill Mitsch has been appointed as Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Jennifer Cullenbine, affectionately known as the "Queen Elf," founded Family Giving Tree 35 years ago and has led the organization through decades of growth and community impact. Under her leadership, FGT has become a cornerstone of community support, serving 2.25 million recipients through our annual Holiday Wish and Back-to-School Drives. Andrea Borch, Chair of FGT's Board of Directors, perfectly summed up the team's sentiments when addressing the shift. "We are immensely grateful for Jennifer's vision and kindness in starting Family Giving Tree and making our programs fixtures in communities across northern California," said Borch. "Her impact on the organization and the lives of those we serve cannot be overstated." Cullenbine will assume the role of Transition and Donor Development Director through December 2024, ensuring a smooth leadership transition while continuing to support FGT's fundraising initiatives. Jill Mitsch, who joined FGT in March 2020 as Director of Development, and has been serving as FGT's Deputy Director since May 2023, brings a wealth of nonprofit experience to her new role and has been instrumental in overseeing the organization's community programs team and strategic plan. FGT will organize events over the coming months to celebrate Cullenbine's legacy and introduce Mitsch to the larger FGT community of supporters and partners.

Thank you Samsung Semiconductor for hosting a Backpack Build again! 🎉 Enormous appreciation for the company, the hosts, and the many many volunteer employees who came to help fill backpacks for Bay Area kids! 🎒 ✏ 📓

🎉 Yes, our 2024 Back-to-School Drive has started! 🎉 This year we are set on empowering at least 30,000 students with supplied-filled backpacks for our annual Back-to-School Drive! Want to help out in achieving this goal? We appreciate anyone who would love to join us on this journey! Follow the links below: ★ Interested in shopping to donate a backpack? Visit our Virtual Giving Tree: https://lnkd.in/gnrN-HyD ★ Would you like to get more involved? Consider registering to lead a drive: https://lnkd.in/g3pgx2nA ★ To learn about more ways to donate: https://lnkd.in/gj3_-R5n ★ For more general information about our backpack drive: https://lnkd.in/gxDGjvtm #backtoschooldrive #familygivingtree #empoweringstudents #helpingbayareastudents #getinvolved #backtoschooldrive2024

You probably already know Technology Credit Union (Tech CU). With over 155,000 members, nearly $4 billion in assets, and a 5-star rating from Bauer Financial in 2023, Tech CU is a leader in its field — offering online and mobile banking, full-service branches in the Bay Area, a Virtual Branch, and comprehensive wealth management and business services. It envisions to be the most technologically advanced credit union. But, did you know that Tech CU supports more than just financial success? It's also an avid supporter of our local communities through philanthropy. And, for nearly two decades, Tech CU has been working closely alongside Family Giving Tree to uplift Bay Area families through donations and volunteerism. We at Family Giving Tree are thankful to Tech CU for the many years they have worked with us. It's a credit union that prioritizes not only the needs of its members but also its community. Thank you Tech CU for everything you do! ❤️

Have you heard? 2024 BTS Drive Leader sign ups are open! 🎉 Leading a Backpack Drive is rewarding and fun. Through your drive, you can collect backpacks, host a VGT (also known as a Virtual Giving Tree, which allows folks to easily donate a backpack or two), or do a combination of both! But either way, you'll be helping thousands of Bay Area students start the school year prepared. 💕 Follow the link below to register: https://lnkd.in/gHiQHQXw Learn how it works here: https://lnkd.in/g53wnrKC If you have further questions about becoming a Drive Leader please contact driveleaders@fgt.org #backtoschooldrive #familygivingtree #donateschoolsupplies

Have you heard of our Bonus Bundles and Health & Hydration Packs? These packs include newly-requested supplies that FGT is committed to providing to every student recipient for our upcoming Back-to-School Drive. Our purchasing power (through long-term vendor relationships) allows us to buy in bulk quantities at wholesale prices. Your donation will help us directly offset this cost 🙇♀️ To learn more or to secure an online donation today visit https://lnkd.in/e5GMJxrk, and help quench student’s thirst for water and education! 🎒💧

Every year, FGT serves over 80K Bay Area individuals. And we can do that thanks to the help and support we get from community members like you. If you've ever wondered how you can make a difference in your community, we've got the answer! Visit www.fgt.org/drive to learn more about becoming a 2024 Back-to-School Drive Leader. #backtoschool #BTS #nonprofit #bayarea #volunteer #leadership

Yesterday marked the 34th anniversary of Family Giving Tree becoming a reality! Whether you discovered us just recently or have been with us since our very early stages, big thank you to everyone who has followed and supported our mission! 😊❤️ We look forward to many more years of spreading joy and helping others with you! :^)

The average cost of a backpack filled with the basic tools a student needs to fully engage with learning is now $100 (or more). As more and more families are considered low to very low income in the Bay Area—a whopping 46%—equipping their student children each year is quickly becoming a goal they can only dream about. Why are we talking about equipping kids when the school year is almost over? Because it takes 6 months to prepare and provide the tens of thousands of backpacks we distribute to students each August. Learn more about why backpacks are important and how FGT is seeking to Empower, Uplift, and Unite the community. https://lnkd.in/gxDGjvtm

The average cost of a backpack filled with the basic tools a student needs to fully engage with learning is now $100 (or more). As more and more families are considered low to very low income in the Bay Area—a whopping 46%—equipping their student children each year is quickly becoming a goal they can only dream about. Why are we talking about equipping kids when the school year is almost over? Because it takes 6 months to prepare and provide the tens of thousands of backpacks we distribute to students each August. Learn more about why backpacks are important and how FGT is seeking to Empower, Uplift and Unite the community. https://lnkd.in/gxDGjvtm