Lakewood Charity Meets $1 Million Goal

LAKEWOOD, CO – Lakewood's emergency social services organization, The Action Center, announced the non-profit had met a $1 million fundraising goal to achieve financial stability in Lakewood at its offices at 8755 W. 14th Ave.

The 50-year-old non-profit closed its homeless shelter in June after a "year of leadership transition and revenue loss," led to a gap in operating funds. A "Call to Action" campaign led by board members and new new Executive Director, Pam Brier announced Thursday that the goal had been reached.

However, the organization still has no concrete plans to reopen the homeless shelter.

"We are currently looking at a variety of options for the shelter," said Tawney Eisenbraun, marketing and communications coordinator in an email. "It is our intention to get the shelter operational once again, however, we do not have a set timeline for this endeavor as of yet."

“This is a significant benchmark for The Action Center. It will help prepare us for the next phase of our fundraising work in reaching our annual $3.2 million dollar budget,” Director of Development John Covert said in a press release.

“Thanks to the support of the community, Jefferson County, Jeffco Municipalities, and Community First Foundation, we are in a secure position that will help us prepare the organization for the next 50 years,” said Brier in a statement. “Matching gifts from Jefferson County and the City of Lakewood inspired our community to make individual gifts that put this campaign over the top. It is humbling to see how much the community believes in our mission.”

As well as homeless shelter facilities (still shuttered), the center has provided school supplies for JeffCo students, Thanksgiving meals for around 5,000 people, emergency utility and financial help and other meals.

The City of Lakewood donated a matching grant of $17,000 in October to push the campaign over the finish line. The campaign included the organization's yearly "Beautiful Junk" Rummage Sale."

The organization's former executive director, Mag Strittmatter, earned $105,395 in 2017 as the only compensated employee listed on the Action Center's IRS 990 tax forms for 2017, the most recent year publicly available. Guidestar's Charity Navigator website ranks The Action Center with three out of four stars.

Related: Matching Challenge Announced For Lakewood's Action Center

Related: Donate School Supplies For JeffCo Kids At The Action Center

Related: Mega Rummage Sale Aims to Raise Money for Charity

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