MIFA History II continued Accountability on the Business side/Kindness on the Program Side Fiscal accountability continues to be an essential ingredient of MIFA's success. Margaret Ryan, named MIFA's second Associate Executive Director in 1981, is credited with professionalizing MIFA's financial affairs. The annual audit has never had an exception and the administrative overhead has remained low. Ryan's belief in structure in administrative procedures and freedom in program areas remains. “If we err, it is on the side of strictness on business side and kindness on the program side,” Gid Smith maintained. Ryan is now Director of Operations at Youth Villages. In the early 1980s it became apparent that MIFA needed to raise more funds locally. Former VISTA Missie Pidgeon was named the first full-time Director of Development. “Her strong religious motivation, bridging the Presbyterian and Catholic communities, made her a one-person ecumenical movement. She put us on the map with some constituencies we would never have reached otherwise,” Smith pointed out. Pidgeon felt that the volunteer and development arms of MIFA function with the same basic philosophy-people who have a need to serve and give must reach out to people who need their help. “MIFA,” she adds, “is the bridge connecting the two. We all need each other. That is what volunteering and fund raising are all about.” Ellen Abbay, MIFA's first full-time public relations director, succeeded Pidgeon when she retired. Shortly thereafter promoted to Associate Executive Director, Abbay points out that her promotion coincided with marked changes in the political and funding landscape. Government funding was drying up; the number of non-profit agencies, all competing for the public dollar, was increasing rapidly. Creative ideas were the key, Abbay learned. “All the ideas had to be true to MIFA's mission, but ahead of their time.” Starry Nights is the exciting drive-through fantasy of 2,000,000 lights that has been seen by more than 630,000 visitors since its debut in 1994. The annual holiday exhibit opens the day before Thanksgiving and celebrates Memphis' multi-cultural strengths. It requires 15,000 volunteer hours and hands-on support from its many corporate sponsors. True to MIFA's mission, admission to Starry Nights remains low. “MIFA, even when wearing its fund-raising garb, reaches as many people as possible,” Abbay points out. Another consciousness raising-and profitable-project was the innovative sale of bricks for the entry walk at the Pyramid, Memphis' downtown sports arena in 1990. Then Development Director Pat Daum's unique project, sponsored by Seessels, Walgreens, and the WMC stations, raised more than $350,000 by selling 15,000 bricks at $50.00 each. The theme “Go Down in History” even reached the Elvis Presley Week fans who come to Memphis from all over the world to honor his memory. Four hundred bricks were sold to fans of the deceased Memphis crooner; they are laid together in two specially marked Elvis sections. The Circle of Hope, begun in 1992, is an opportunity for individuals to donate to MIFA annually; the minimum required for membership is $1,000.00. In 1997, chaired by Mimi Graves, Snow Morgan and Ann Stokes, it raised $500,000. Empty Bowls, begun in 1997, helps support the 30 local food pantries with bowls created by local artists at a well-attended annual fundraiser. Local artist Linda Wilson brought the concept to MIFA. Members of the Memphis Association of Craft Artists, the Mid South Woodturners Guild and the Midtown Artists Market donate their work. The newest fundraising project should also bring international recognition-and money-to MIFA! Beginning in July 1998 with a first year limited edition, MIFA will sell Elvis Presley candles. A unique arrangement with Elvis Presley Enterprises will allow all proceeds from the attractively boxed candles to go to MIFA coffers. The Presley estate thus recognizes that MIFA would have been one of Elvis' favorite charities, according to Craddock. “We deal with people who live at the end of Lonely Street.” Next: Religious Roots and Branches