Major Donor Appeal Letter-

earlier version

http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AXEHvZmzaKEpZGQ2Z3ZoM2dfNjJoZGhoM25oaA&hl=en

Fall 2009

Dear ____ ,

Icarus is thriving! And we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to you -- for your vital support of our continued growth and success. Here's a brief update of some of our latest accomplishments, and a glimpse of what's to come.

With your help, over the past 7 years The Icarus Project has become a vibrant and multifaceted movement, showing there's a real need for what Icarus offers. Our dynamic support forums have more than 10,000 members, we had more than 90,000 unique website visitors in the last 12 months, and our network of local groups is expanding. Our growing series of publications - now translated into several languages - draw people into a dialogue that challenges the definition of ‘normal,’ explores innovative methods of support and self-care, questions society's emphasis on pharmaceutical treatments, and reclaims our experiences as ‘mad gifts.’ We launched our Campus Icarus initiative at New York University - where Icarus students were awarded the prestigious President's Service Award - and groups are taking root at colleges across the country and even abroad. We even obtained a foothold in the mainstream media with an article featured Newsweek, "Listening To Madness."
 

Here are some things Icarus members are saying:

The Icarus Project takes away the feeling of shame and isolation that comes from being told you are crazy and will never get better....There is always someone you can talk to who has been where you are and has gotten through it. People offer real practical help with compassion.

Icarus is one of the few places where I've found an open and supportive environment, where people are talking about both their problems with illness and their problems with the current system of treatment.

We heal together within The Icarus Project as a family...We support each other through darkest times...I know many people share the same fears and frustrations as me and I am not alone.

At Icarus I have a feeling of being listened to and understood - of being known - that is absent in most other spheres of my life... It is one of the only places I can show up and not feel like I need to hide all the glaring contradictions I contain.

Finally I found a place to hang around, very interesting topics, very related to my life, incredibly interesting people. Participating on the forums is a healing activity. (Mexico)

It feels like coming to a communal living room sometimes, a huge room with nice soft couches for conversing on, scattered armchairs for people how want to be alone with their thoughts, a little space for people to stand when they want to address something to everyone, and books and music and pictures everywhere. I like it here, even when everyone is in a bad mood or hurting. Because someone else is always in the room to listen.

The Icarus Project's presence is crucial to our members and to society. Sustaining this vital project costs money: for administration overhead, printing and publishing, office space, and small stipends for our incredibly dedicated core group of Coordinators.

Right now our need for your financial support is critical.

Our hope is to raise at least $25,000 through generous donations to take us into the new year. Our grassroots organization is entirely dependent on individuals and foundations for our finances, not pharmaceutical companies or other institutional sources. Your contributions provide the backbone of the project, and makes it possible to reach out and support people facing emotional distress crisis not reached by conventional services.

The Icarus Project partners with FJC as our fiscal sponsor, and all donations are fully tax-deductible and can be made by mail, phone, or online.

Send a check to:

    FJC/The Icarus Project

    520 Eighth Avenue, 20th Floor

    New York, NY 10018

Call: 1-888-Give-FJC

Visit: 

.

Please know how deeply your generosity is felt and appreciated!   

As we enter the holiday season, don't forget to take care of yourself and others.  May you and your loved ones fly, be supported, and flourish through the holidays and into the New Year.

Best wishes,

The Icarus Project Collective

Will, Madigan, Annie, Angel, and Eric