Why Komen?

The Reason Behind the Ribbon

Why Komen?  Is an awareness program that employs five areas to educate volunteers, donors, grantees and the general public by providing in-depth, honest and useful information regarding how your donation of time talent and dollars are a worthwhile investment into our community and the promise to end breast cancer forever.  Much of the public believes that all pink ribbons are the same, but this is not true.  Please read below to learn how Komen is different and how your donation, no matter how large or small can be a part of creating change in the breast cancer world.

• Transparency
• Local Grant Programs 
• Grassroots Volunteerism
• Four-Star Charity Rating
• Dedication to Breast Cancer only

Transparency
For the 2009-2010 Peoria Memorial Affiliate annual budget of approximately $ 1.2 million, nearly $800,000 went to local breast health education, treatment, screening and mission programs and over $240,000. went to the Komen National Breast Cancer Research Program.  Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the largest private funder of breast cancer research in the world. 

Local Grant Programs
75% of all dollars raised thru the Race for the Cure event stay in the Peoria Memorial Affiliate service area.  These dollars fund grants that provide the much needed screening, treatment and education programs serving the uninsured and underinsured families in our community.  Peoria Memorial Affiliate grant funds are restricted to breast cancer programs to not-for-profit organizations.  Every two years we assess our communities breast health needs through a community profile. Our 2009 profile identified the need to remove barriers to access  and care for African American and rural  women and to continue our efforts to “Paint the State Pink”, bringing necessary breast health services to families throughout the state of Illinois  Our current grantees are working with us to achieve these goals. For a list of current Komen Peoria grantees please visit www.komenpeoria.org

Volunteerism
• Our affiliate operates daily through grassroots volunteers with a limited paid staff of 3.
• 15 Board of Director members create a strategic  plan based on our mission
• 11 Committee Chairs lead our affiliate Finance, Board Development, Strategic Planning, Governance, Race, Survivor, Grants, Education, Public Policy, Personnel and Public Relations and Communications committees
• 100+ Committee Members serve on one or more of the affiliates 11 committees
• 500+ grassroots volunteers who assist onsite at events, secure donations of goods or services and help do whatever is needed!

Charity Navigator Four Star Rating for Third Year
For the third year in a row Susan G. Komen for the Cure has received the Charity Navigator Four Star Rating. Charity Navigator is the premier independent charity evaluator who rates charities by evaluating two broad areas of financial health; organizational efficiency and organizational capacity.  Charity Navigator ratings show donors how efficiently they believe a charity will use a donors support today, and to what extent the charities are growing their programs and services over time.  These ratings allow the giver to make a more informed giving decisions and allows the philanthropic community the opportunity to more effectively monitor itself.  For more information on Susan G. Komen for the Cure charity Navigator rating please visit www.charitynavigator.com

Dedication to Breast Cancer
• As a predominately grassroots volunteers organizations, we know we can not be all things to all people.  Our organizational success is based on volunteers giving their time and talent to be leaders.  Thus, we address one cancer… breast cancer. We take one cause and fight it to the best of our ability.  Our volunteers are united and passionate because breast cancer has in some way touched their lives, survivor , co-survivor, family member, friends.
• Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest private funder of breast cancer research and community health programs.  With more than $1.3 billion invested to date, Komen for the Cure is moving ahead with its commitment to invest $2 billion by 2017.