Major Corporate Update

I founded RISE Adventures, Inc. on March 22, 2007 with the support of Steve Carlson. I am asked a lot of questions from our constituency about the overall status of RISE. As we approach our second birthday I felt it was important to provide a current corporate update. Transparency is important for all non-profit charitable organizations.

FINANCIAL AUDIT

The RISE Board of Directors (BOD) Audit Committee selected a firm to complete our first two years financial audit. We did not immediately audit 2007 since we did not receive our first donation until April, 2008. The audit has begun and is scheduled for completion March, 2009. It will always be the policy of RISE to audit each years finances.

SPONSORSHIP

We signed Dual Title Sponsors for 2009. I am very proud to announce that C & R Medical has signed on for another year. Lift-Aids joined the team this year. Both of these sponsors allow RISE to cover our budgeted administrative and program expenses. I am very proud of not only the dollars but the heart and soul both sponsors contribute to all of our programs. We are currently in negotiations to add not one, but two additional overall major sponsors. Please help us support our sponsors by doing business with these highly reputable companies.

BUDGET

The 2009 RISE Budget is $411,118.44. This funding will be compensated through our two title sponsors as well as corporate donations and foundation funding. We will write 180 grant requests to foundations and corporations this year seeking funding for operating expenses and adaptive equipment.

FOUNDATION FUNDING

RISE received $65,000.00 in foundation funding in 2008. This allowed us to purchase a new Ford Expedition EL, new 7’ x 16’ Cargo Trailer, new quad rugby chairs and new hand cycles to add to our already growing equipment inventory. We are expecting the second phase of a major grant to fund in March that will allow us to purchase more adaptive equipment including; Access Sailboats, Adaptive Golf Carts, more High Quality Handcycles, and a portable pool lift for our new RISE Scuba Program that will begin late March. RISE will continue to build solid adaptive equipment infrastructure as funding allows.

IN-KIND DONATIONS

RISE will receive well over $125,000.00 in collaboration in-kind donations in 2009. Thank you to all of our collaborative partners!

VOLUNTEERS

RISE estimates exceed 15,000 volunteer hours in 2009.

CHILDRENS PROGRAM FUNDING

All Camping, Hunting, and Fishing Equipment and miscellaneous expenses are funded through a separate foundation and are ongoing. RISE Board Program Committee/ Lea Stewart Chairperson, held a major meeting in February with 21 folks attending including board members, almost all of our 2009 program directors, sponsors, and staff. The meeting got all directors on the same page and involved new RISE Policies and Procedures including; insurance requirements, program forms, RISE Adventures Metrics (RAM), equipment, and a presentation on medical and safety procedures.

RISE Programs are off to a great start with 164 folks attending in the first 5 weeks of 2009. New Member attendance is dramatically on the RISE!

I am proud to announce the 2009 RISE Volunteer Program Directors:

• RISE Quad Rugby, Andy Burton
• RISE Fishing with Andy, Andy Burton
• RISE Sled Hockey, James Dunham 
• RISE Golf, Gary Pickle
• RISE Kayaking, Bill Bradford
• RISE Sailing, Rick Brauer & Don Rickerhauser
• RISE Children’s Hunting, Bryan Shaner
• RISE Photography, Scott Golem
• RISE Scuba, Rafael Flores
• RISE Handcycling, Steve Carlson
• RISE Children’s Camping, Steve Carlson
• RISE Children’s Fishing, Steve Carlson
• RISE Advocacy, Wayne Holt
• RISE Airplane Rides, Wayne Holt 
• RISE Water Skiing, Wayne Holt
• RISE Collaboration, Paul Gray
• RISE Seasonal, Paul Gray
• RISE X-Games, Paul Gray
• RISE Horseback Riding, TBD
• RISE Swimming, TBD
• RISE Jet Skiing, TBD
• RISE Health & Fitness, TBD

BUSINESS PLAN

The 2009 RISE Business Plan coincides with our budget and to continue building on our solid foundation. I am continually asked about adding RISE chapters in other states. The RISE BOD would like to continue building on our North Texas success and will not consider expansion until first quarter of 2010.

RISE STAFF

• CEO, Paul Gray - Full Time Volunteer. 
• Advocacy Director, Wayne Holt - The first paid full time employee for RISE.
• Outreach Director, Steve Carlson - Steve’s back on board and going full steam ahead.
• Program Director, Rick Brauer - part time volunteer.
• Technology Director, Mike Peters- part time volunteer.

NOTE: RISE will hire a full time salaried Program and Outreach Director in the coming months. If you feel like this is a position you would be interested in please send your resume and why you feel like you could do well at one of these positions to me via email. I am not discussing these positions in person at this time.

RISE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

We lost three valuable board members in 2008; 1- Jackie Bartels moved to Denver, 2- Gabriel Dominquez, moved into the insurance business, and 3- Wayne Holt- hired as the RISE Advocacy Director and it is our policy not to have paid staff on our BOD. We have three Provisional Board Members that must attend two full board meetings before becoming full board members; John Mabrey, Theresa Kuhn, and Rick Frame. RISE has an eleven member diverse board of directors that are intimately involved on Board Committees, oversight, and the direction of RISE Adventures, Inc.

If you have any questions about any of the information above feel free to email me at pgray@riseadventures.org.