It began in March 2011
The Salvation Army in Russia has never focused on fundraising.  There are many challenges including the government, the Russian Orthodox power and the population’s belief that government takes care of all social problems.  Therefore, The Salvation Army’s International Headquarters has labeled Russia and many other countries as “grant aided territories” which means that other countries fund the Army’s work.

Last year, Commissioner Ken Johnson (most recently the divisional commander in Georgia, USA and Texas and now the territorial commander for the Russian Federation) reached out to Chip for help in starting the first ever fundraising program in the country.

In March 2011, Chip traveled to St. Petersburg and Moscow and met with three American officers and a Canadian officer.  In addition, he connected with four experts with fundraising experience in Russia and brought them all together for a two-day strategic planning meeting.  The outcome was a plan for the first ever Salvation Army Christmas campaign in Russia.

At the end of the meeting one of the Russian officers commented, “It was a historic two days for the Russian Federation.”

From the Russian territorial commander in December 2011:
“We are continuing to move our fundraising agenda forward. Several identified goals have been accomplished and are underway. We have started our first Advisory Board in the Georgia Division. Almost immediately we received donations as a result of the activity of one of our board members. Small group, but growing. We have also been able to start a modified Advisory Board in Yalta, Ukraine, which has great potential. The goal is still to start one in Kiev and St. Petersburg.

We had also set a goal of developing our Christmas fundraising. We now have kettles operating in Georgia, Romania and Russia. Also, you will remember us talking about the acrylic donation boxes as a point of donation. You will see one of them in this pic. Angel trees are out which will not only help with recognition but donations as well.

We were able to develop a PR manual update, have it translated and distributed to all five divisions. This was followed up with training and a PR Secretart was appointed.

We established a week in December as Salvation Army week. This gives the officers a target period when they can put on an extra push in community involvement and fundraising.

IHQ has been unable to change the link for credit card banks. Hence. banks still are unable to process donations. This is an ongoing process.

On Thursday of this week Paula and I are making our first contact with the United Way of Moscow. Our plans are to approach them in the first of the year with application for full membership.”

Grizzard is proud of our CEO for initiating this much-needed Russian partnership and effort by The Salvation Army there.  Watch for future updates on their progress.