Wellspring, the Saratoga County-based domestic violence and sexual assault services resource, won a $15,000 grant from the Allstate Foundation after placing fifth among almost 200 domestic violence organizations across the country in the Purple Purse Challenge.
This marks the second prize won by the organization during the month-long challenge. Wellspring also finished the first week of the challenge in the top five, winning an additional $10,000 challenge gift.
Wellspring was one of 20 organizations nationally to earn a grant competing against other domestic violence nonprofits with an operating budget of less than $1.75 million.
In total, Wellspring raised more than $51,000. Officials said they will use the money to support a comprehensive approach to helping victims of domestic violence, providing services such as shelter, a 24-hour hotline, counseling, and legal advocacy.
The funds will also help expand the programs that focus on prevention, issue awareness and social change, such as partnerships with local schools and law enforcement.
Wellspring was supported in the challenge by 25 volunteers who helped raise funds from more than 200 donors. Local organizations also supported Wellspring throughout the challenge. Some hosted lunch-and-learn sessions, one organized a mini-golf fundraiser, several promoted dress down days, and a local restaurant organized a dining out night to raise money and awareness.
“We are so touched by the incredible support of our board of directors, and our community,” said Maggie Fronk, executive director of Wellspring. “The generosity shown by so many once again demonstrates how much our community cares about one another and about important issues such as relationship and sexual abuse. It is evidence that together, we can achieve our vision of a community free of relationship and sexual abuse.”
The Challenge, which wrapped up Oct. 25, coincided with National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In total, the Purple Purse Challenge raised $3.75 million to go toward helping domestic violence survivors regain their independence.
Fronk said the fundraising comes at a critical time for Wellspring and other domestic violence organizations around the country. On an average day, more than 12,000 requests for emergency shelter, childcare, financial aid and other services go unanswered due to a lack of funding at domestic violence programs around the country.
In 2015, Wellspring answered more than 1,400 hotline calls, provided almost 15,000 safe bed nights of shelter and supportive housing, counseled 700 individuals who were escaping their abuse, and provided education about the signs of relationship and sexual abuse to 6,500 members of school, and community groups.
The organization also started new programs and positions to expand their reach and services, as well as invest in new outreach programs to improve their communication with the entire community.
The Purple Purse Challenge is part of the Allstate Foundation Purple Purse, which aims to help end domestic violence and financial abuse through financial empowerment.
Wellspring’s mission is to support survivors and engage the community to end relationship and sexual abuse. Officials said each year, its crisis intervention and survivor services support more than 1,000 clients—providing safe housing to adults and children either fleeing or homeless because of domestic violence, as well as comprehensive support in the form of counseling, legal advocacy and case management.