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Everyone has something to lend to a purpose they believe in! A skill, a dollar, an hour. There are many ways for you to particpate, or just learn more about our agency and our students. If you are considering being involved, we encourage you to contact us to discuss the limitless possibilities and tailor-make the right one for you.

Events
Volunteering
Donating
Wish List
Endowment Fund

Events: We host two major events a year. Our popular and long running Volleyball Tournament and our new and very succesful Letter Writing Event. In addition, we host many smaller events. These are designed mostly to let our kids show off and let others get to know us. Some recent ones include our 05/06 Open House and our Art Show. For picutres from the 06/07 Open House held October 18th, click here.

Volunteering:
"Volunteerism is the voice of the people put into action. These actions shape and mold the present into a future of which we can all be proud." - Helen Dyer

"The secret of education is respecting the pupil." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Who dares to teach must never cease to learn." - John Cotton Dana

Want to help? C.O.P.E. utilizes volunteers from University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University as part of the universities' academic curriculum.

We are also on the lookout for volunteers with special interests or expertise. Do you speak a second language? Play an instrument? Weave baskets with your toes? Contact us to discuss an opportunity to volunteer. Or visit our wish list for ideas on how to serve!

We are currently looking for specific volunteers for:
C.O.P.E. has opportunties for up and coming design professionals! Create pieces for your portfolio or resume by helping C.O.P.E. design materials, videos, and presentations. Prospective employers will appreciate philanthropic work and C.O.P.E. can help to get your name out as you help to get C.O.P.E.'s out.

Spring 2005 will bring volunteer opportunities for people interested in art. Also, we will be on the lookout for help for our annual volleyball tournament.

Donating: A Donation from an indivdual is an important part of keeping C.O.P.E.'s doors open to the youth in need of our services. In addition, a donation can bring tax credits and benefits to you, the donor. You may donate to C.O.P.E. in several different ways.

Directly donate by mailing a check made out to C.O.P.E. to: P.O. Box 6072, Ann Arbor, MI 48106.

Donate below through Network for Good, powered by Guidestar.

Donate through the United Way by listing C.O.P.E. as the agency you'd like to have your donation dedicated to.

If you are considering making C.O.P.E. part of your estate planning, or are looking for the most advantageous way to make a substantial donation, please see the information listed on our Endowment Fund.

Wish List:
Educational Materials
• New or recent textbooks in subject areas of Science, Math, History, English, Life Skills, and Art
• Raised relief map of the United States
• Artists or art students interested in one time or continuous teaching or lecture opportunity
• Art supplies

Help for Teachers
• Gift certificates to teacher’s stores
• Volunteers

Help for our Efforts
• Videography- We’d like to create a video presentation for COPE!
• Alumni searching
• Printing Donations
• Graphic Design Help
• Potential Board Members who are interested in education
• Volunteer Coordinator
• PR Help- great opportunity for resume building for students!
• Research and Database Management

Endowment Fund:

In recognition of the vision and compassion for youth exhibited by Judge Francis L. O'Brien, in founding the C.O.P.E. Program, and as part of an ongoing effort to ensure C.O.P.E.'s future, stabilize agency funding, and assure the continuation of the necessary alternative education services we provide to the young people of our community, the C.O.P.E. Board of Directors has initiated the C.O.P.E. - Francis L. O'Brien Endowment Fund through the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation with an initial contribution of $10,000.

With increasing need for the services of nonprofit organizations and fewer sources of support, endowment building becomes critically important for future stability and growth. If the designated agency should cease to operate, the Foundation would continue to meet the organization's charitable objectives.

An Agency Endowment Fund:

• Protects an organization's endowed moneys to meet its future needs.
• Provides a relatively constant source of annual income.
• Demonstrates the organization's security, stability and long-range financial planning.
• Enables an organization to obtain funds for current operations more easily.
• Increases investment yield, since the endowment is grouped with other funds at the Foundation to receive maximum return and lower fees due to the size of the total investment

As a public charity, The Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation offers the highest level of tax benefits for charitable giving, allowing for the Michigan Community Foundation Tax Credit as well as a charitable deduction on the federal income tax return. Donors may give cash, stock, closely held securities, real estate, or personal property and receive maximum tax benefits.

How to get more information

There is extensive information available in our Endowment Fund Brochure. We are available to speak with you directly or put you in contact with further resources regarding donations. Contact either Executive Director Robert W. Coller or Development Coordinator J.T. Todd at 734-547-0419 or e-mail info@cope1.org

C.O.P.E. encourages you to visit the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation's website for detailed information on giving options.