WE CAN, the organization dedicated to empowering Cape Cod women to achieve lasting positive change for themselves and their families, recently held an event to mark the establishment of the Andi Genser Strategic Opportunities Fund which honors Andi Genser as she retires as Executive Director of WE CAN. Gifts to the Fund will give WE CAN the capacity to respond to emerging programmatic or capacity needs on a timely basis. The event raised $240,000 for the launch of the Andi Genser fund.
WE CAN Board Member, David Oppenheim initiated the idea for the fund and hosted the event with his wife Gail. A combination of retirement party and fundraiser, the night was filled with memories both amusing and poignant. Other speakers included former State Senator and Cape Air Founder & CEO, Dan Wolfe who arrived by cycle, a nod and wink to Andi’s many years as a cycling enthusiast who aptly uses her hobby as a fundraising technique; WE CAN Board President Pam Kukla and WE CAN special advisor, Anne Le Claire who shared some very entertaining photos of Andi’s early start in fundraising, beginning at age 5!
“I’m touched and honored by your presence and am grateful to all who have contributed to the establishment of this fund tonight.” said retiring Director Andi Genser.
Dianne Gauthier, Executive Director of WE CAN said, “Eight years ago Andi set WE CAN on a course to evolve and with this fund, we will mark her legacy by continuing to grow WE CAN’s capabilities and offerings to meet the ever-changing needs of women in the Cape Cod Community.” She added, “We are very grateful to those who have contributed to its beginning.”
The Andi Genser Fund will begin by supporting initiatives like: pilot a new service or workshop to demonstrate its effectiveness, initiate outreach to a region of Cape Cod where WE CAN is not actively involved, purchase new technology to upgrade evaluation and development capabilities, support internships to undertake research into new issues identified by participants’ needs and provide professional development opportunities for staff.