2011 Fundraising Appeal Letter

Dear Friend of CiRCE,

CS Lewis wrote in The Abolition of Man that “the task of the modern educator is not to cut down the jungles but to irrigate the deserts.” As educators we are called to cultivate: to plant and to nurture. We are not line-workers in a factory so much as we are farmers. And what does it take to be a good farmer? Community, persistence, and useful tools.

Here at the CiRCE Institute our vision is to foster a community of educators who seek to cultivate and to nurture. We provide the useful tools that enable you to do this in faith and hope. Our goal is to irrigate a dry world. If we do that, together we will reap a harvest of wise and virtuous young people.

Considering your past involvement with CiRCE we think it’s safe to say that you share this goal. That’s why you partner with us: why you visit the website and participate in CiRCE events, why you listen to our talks and give to support our work, why you say things like this:

“The work of the CiRCE Institute consistently pulls me from this [post-modern] mire [of the mundane], refocusing my mind on truth, liberating me to do what I love, and inspiring me to teach my students well.” (Lori Maynard)

And this:

“The folks at CiRCE have taught me more about classical Christian education than anyone else.” (Leslie McCrea)

Last year at this time we requested your support to complete a set of The Lost Tools of Writing DVDs, start our online academy, ensure that our 2011 conference was our best event yet, improve our online store, hire a Program Director, kick off work on a new edition of Classical Education: The Movement Sweeping America, and bring our materials and ideas to more people than ever before. Thanks to the grace of God and your generosity we accomplished each of these goals – and then some.

But the need for Christian classical education has not been eliminated and so our work is not done. And, in turn, since our work is not done our need has not been eliminated. As a non-profit we rely heavily on the generosity of like-minded friends, people who believe in what we do and want to be a part of it. Please consider partnering with us financially as we seek to enhance and build this community and support the parents, teachers, and administrators who work so hard to cultivate wisdom and virtue. Your gift of any size will help us do just that.

You can contribute financially to the mission of CiRCE in two ways. First, you can contribute by making a donation of any amount to our end-of-year fundraiser. Second, you can join us by becoming a member of our 30/30 club, a group of 30 donors who are willing to give $30/month for one year. To thank you, we have assembled a package of downloadable talks for anyone who makes a donation of any size. No contribution is too small or too large.

We’re grateful and honored to have you alongside us. You are the CiRCE Community. We only foster it.
But this kind of work never ends. As many of you eloquently remind us, when we irrigate and plant together we multiple our fruitfulness.

Sincerely,
Andrew Kern
President

P.S. Our goal is to raise $50,000 before January 1, 2012. This will enable us to expand the number of free resources we provide, to improve our instructional resources like workshops and retreats, and to enter the New Year with a posture of strength and readiness.

P.P.S. To partner with The CiRCE Institute please visit www.circeinstitute.org/support or send a check to the following address:
The CiRCE Institute
4190 Brownwood Lane
Concord, NC 28027