Goals
SHORT TERM GOALS
The initial goal for MIRA FOUNDATION USA, INC. is to send two qualified individuals to MIRA Canada each year to receive guide dogs and for 30 days of training with their dogs. Transportation to and from Canada as well as room and board at the training facility will be paid by MIRA FOUNDATION USA, INC. We will also pay these same expenses for a parent or guardian accompanying a child recipient. After the conclusion of the 30-day Canadian training program, MIRA FOUNDATION USA, INC. will pay transportation and living expenses for MIRA Canada trainers to conduct follow-up training in the United States.
An additional short term goal is to hire two individuals who we will send to MIRA Canada to learn the techniques and skills that will qualify them as professional guide dog trainers. At the end of the required three year course of training, these two individuals will join the MIRA FOUNDATION USA, INC. staff as our first trainers.
LONG TERM GOALS
When we have been successful at soliciting the level of funding required to reach the next step, MIRA FOUNDATION USA, INC. will turn to its long term goal of purchasing land in North Carolina with existing buildings or buying land and constructing a full-service guide dog training facility. The facility will be similar to the MIRA Canada facility in that it will include a kennel and areas for training and living. In addition, areas will be included for various social and educational activities that would benefit the local visually impaired community. All of our guide dog recipients will be trained exclusively in North Carolina upon completion of the facility.
ACHIEVING OUR GOALS
We are leaving no stone unturned as we seek to raise funds to help us meet our goals and fulfill our mission with fund-raising efforts focusing on both the local and national level. Locally, we meet with organized groups to discuss our mission and also host private lunches or dinners with potential high end donors. We are contacting all of the local businesses in our town to ask them to become “supporters” and post a MIRA FOUNDATION USA, INC. logo photo in their shop windows. We also attend the many local events to familiarize the community with MIRA FOUNDATION USA, INC. and will set up booths whenever a venue permits. We are, in addition, planning and organizing various fundraising events such as a “Dark Night Dinner” as well as a MILES FOR MIRA 5K Fun Run and DogWalk, a fishing tournament and a Motorcycle Poker Run. We are also continually reaching out to individuals about volunteering their time and talents to host or to organize a variety of events, to sell our logo items or help in our office.
Name recognition is one of the most important means of achieving fund-raising goals so we are directing our attention toward making MIRA FOUNDATION USA, INC. a highly visible and known commodity. We have produced brochures to describe our mission as well as volunteer cards. We are contacting all local businesses for support, asking them to post our MIRA logo in their shop windows. We are looking at our local media, including print, radio and TV for coverage of our events to help increase our exposure. We are also creating a promotional video as well as a 30 second promotional spot for TV and educational purposes.
Nationally, we are reaching out to corporations through various contacts to meet with and discuss the mission of MIRA FOUNDATION USA, INC. and its associated fundraising project. We are also attending conferences with professionals such as the Southeastern Orientation and Mobility Association Conference as a means to network with individuals working in the blind community who will help spread the word about our services and help locate potential guide dog recipients. When we begin our capital campaign, we will be contacting corporations and individuals as well regarding their sponsorship of buildings, naming rights for puppies, having their names engraved on the founders’ walkway and for other similar concepts.
Also working at the national level, we are identifying organizations that provide grants for non-profit organizations that are working in the public service sector, working with the visually impaired and grants for non-profits that are working with dogs. We will be applying for grants from as many organizations as possible to help subsidize our program’s mission.