Behind the Scenes with The Director of Development

Hollywood actor Kevin Bacon is considered by many to be the center of the entertainment universe. This is the basis behind the game, Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon, of which the objective is to connect any celebrity to Kevin Bacon through six degrees of separation. Jenny Vanasse relates her role as MVES’ director of development to playing this game—only she mixes it up a bit. She imagines instead that it is Six Degrees to MVES and it’s her job to make all the right connections. It’s Jenny's objective to find people who have an interest in our mission and the ability to give and connect them to our agency. It’s all about making connections that benefit MVES and local elders that need our services!

Jenny Vanasse stands next to the promotional poster for the 2007 theatre event, Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None.

Editor: MVES is a non-profit organization. Who funds our services, and where does development fit in?

Vanasse: MVES receives most of its funding from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs. We also receive funding from the federal government. I see development as a help and a support to the funding we receive from the government. By fundraising, we’re able to expand our service offering beyond what the government pays for.

Editor: Which programs do you fundraise the most for?

Vanasse: There are two programs that always need support—our home-delivered meals program and medical transportation. Also, the Money Management program receives some state funding, but we also support it with private funds. MVES’ Elder Independence Fund and the MVES Gap Fund are two resources that are totally supported by private funds raised from the community. Both of these funds help meet the needs of elders who would otherwise not be able to receive help.

Editor: How do you seek support for these programs and funds?

Vanasse: We look to a variety of resources for support. We seek support from family members of elders that we take care of because these are people who understand how important our services are and they’re often eager to help us. We also look for support from local business owners who have an interest in what we do and the ability and willingness to make a gift. Throughout the year, we apply for funding from private foundations and government grants. Just recently, we’ve started the tradition of hosting an annual theatre event to raise money through sponsorships and ticket sales to benefit our Gap Fund.

Editor: What is the development office focused on right now?

Vanasse: Right now, we’re in high gear for the theatre event. So far through sponsorships, we have raised $45,000, but we need to raise more. The net proceeds from this event will benefit the MVES Gap endowment fund, for which we’ve set a $1 million goal. This year the event is Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None on May 19 at 8 p.m. at the Stoneham Theatre. General tickets are on sale for $50 and sponsorships are available at $250 and higher. All of our sponsors are invited to a pre-show reception. It’s a great opportunity for people to network with others who are interested in MVES.

The MVES Board of Directors is spearheading the effort to establish the Gap Fund for elders who need home care services, but who aren’t eligible for government-funded programs. The fund provides grants to individuals who need a service over a period of time—during the recovery from a broken arm, for example.

Editor: You mentioned that the Elder Independence Fund is sustained only by donations. Can you tell us more about this fund?

Vanasse: MVES has been providing one-time grants through the Elder Independence Fund for close to a decade. It’s a fund that helps elders who have an urgent need and have no other cash resource to meet that need. The fund may help to purchase hearing aids, dentures, a lift-equipped chair, or provide help in paying a fuel bill. We recently received a request for support from an elder who was living without heat and we were able to refill her oil tank through the Elder Independence Fund. One hundred percent of the funds that we raise through community support are put back into the community to help local elders who have no where else to turn for help.

Editor: What is most rewarding about being the director of development?

Vanasse: Take the person who was living without heat but who was able to get her oil tank filled with help from the Elder Independence Fund. It’s knowing that I am a part of making that resource available to help people. It’s rewarding to hear real stories of the elders who benefit directly from the money we raise.

Editor: What do you find challenging about your role?

Vanasse: Fundraising is a local effort. People like to fund things within their own community and there is so much going on in each of the eight MVES communities. It’s difficult to find enough hours in the day to dedicate the one-on-one time that I’d like to meet with donors or potential donors and tell them about our services. The more people know about MVES, the more they’re likely to want to help.

Editor: If someone is interested in supporting MVES what should they do?

Vanasse: They could call MVES at 781-324-7705 and ask for the development office. People can also mail donations or go to the development section of our web site, where they have the opportunity to donate securely online.

Editor: When you’re not hard at work raising money for MVES, what do you like to do?

Vanasse: Play soccer! And, I love spending time with my kids.