A $25,000 challenge grant from an anonymous Pheasants Forever member has ignited the most innovative fundraising campaign in the organization's history. The Bird Dogs for Habitat Campaign challenges hunters to make a donation on behalf of their favorite dog. All donations will be used by Pheasants Forever to fight for improvements to the 32-million acre habitat juggernaut, the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).
The $25,000 matching grant donor is inspiring fellow hunters to make a year-end, tax deductible gift to Pheasants Forever in support of the organization's efforts to fight for the federal CRP in the upcoming Farm Bill debate. A new Congress takes office to start 2011, and the program's future hinges on Congress reauthorizing it. The twist to this donor's gift? He wants to connect with the passion hunters feel about their bird dogs and use today's online and social media tools to raise the funds for habitat. Through online credit card payments, Pheasants Forever will accept contributions from donors placed in support of 25 different breeds of bird dogs – one for each year CRP has existed. Each $1 donated is equal to one vote for that bird dog breed. In other words, a $100 donation is equal to 100 votes for a particular bird dog breed. "CRP celebrates a historic 25th anniversary on December 23rd," explained Dave Nomsen, Pheasants Forever's Vice President of Government Affairs. "I challenge every bird hunter to think about the joy experienced walking a CRP field behind their favorite bird dog. Think about the roosters you've bagged and the pride you've felt in watching your pup make a spectacular retrieve. How much is CRP worth to you?" "There is no doubt we're under the time crunch on this campaign. We have 24 days to raise our donor's $25,000 matching grant. I believe our members and supporters can exceed that challenge," added David Bue, Pheasants Forever's Vice President of Development. "When you consider Pheasants Forever's nearly 25,000 Facebook followers, we can instantly talk to the largest online community of pheasant hunters. If each of those folks were to donate just a buck, we'd generate $50,000 for habitat in no time at all." Bird Dogs for Habitat To donate, visit Bird Dogs for Habitat. On the web page, visitors will find a real-time tally of contributions by breed, as well as a link to Pheasants Forever's online MarketPlace where visitors can make their own tax-deductible gift in honor of their favorite breed of bird dog. The 25 bird dog breeds in the friendly fundraising competition include: Black Labrador Boykin Spaniel Brittany Chesapeake Bay Retriever Chocolate Labrador Curly-Coated Retriever English Cocker Spaniel English Pointer English Setter English Springer Spaniel Flat-Coated Retriever German Shorthaired Pointer German Wirehaired Pointer Golden Retriever Gordon Setter Italian Spinone Irish, Red & White Setters Llewellin Setter Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Poodle Pudelpointer Small & Large Munsterlanders Vizsla Weimaraner Yellow Labrador To learn more about making a tax-deductible and/or planned gift to Pheasants Forever, please contact David Bue at (218) 340-5519 / Email David.
