06/04/2021
Decision was made by ACS to reduce the number of RFL events across the nation and the Bismarck/Mandan relay is one of them. Please see points below that address questions you may have.
What criteria was used to determine which events will continue to receive staff support?
There were multiple criteria considered to help inform these difficult decisions including a robust committee and community support, strong ROI and volunteer interest plus the potential for growth. We also worked to ensure diversity and inclusion would be part of the decision making.
Does this mean the American Cancer Society is abandoning my community?
No, we’re doing this to ensure we can have even more impact on the community and ACS needs its volunteers now more than ever. Event fundraising had been in decline prior to COVID: many volunteers have been experiencing this. While ACS deeply values the great work volunteers have done, the pandemic has accelerated our need to do things differently and without the same level of ACS staff support.
People can still access our cancer information and support 24/7. Our cancer research and advocacy work benefits everyone. Many of our other services will return after the pandemic. But to ensure those mission programs are sustainable, we absolutely need volunteers to unleash their creativity and consider different ways to help fund that crucial cancer-fighting work. Please visit cancer.org/myACS to get started today or choose the new interactive experience to guide you to your best opportunity.
What happens to our event now?
Our hope is that current volunteers will continue to support the ACS mission and find new and creative ways to fight cancer in their community. We’re asking everyone to visit cancer.org/myACS and try our new interactive experience to guide you to your best opportunity.
How many events are impacted?
Over half of our 2,700 events that took place in 2019 will be impacted in some way. We hope that most will evolve into innovative and dynamic volunteer led community programs. Because some communities may choose to continue events without staff support, we are not yet sure how many events we will have moving forward.
How many staff are impacted?
We don’t have an exact number yet, but we estimate that our new strategic focus will drive approximately a 15% reduction in staffing nationwide by February 2021. However, decisions are still being made that may impact staffing and there will be some new positions created as we adjust our priorities.
Is ACS in financial trouble?
No, but the pandemic has been financially devastating. This plan helps ensure the long-term stability of funding for the ACS mission. One of our goals through these actions is to enable us to prevent financial crisis amid future economic disruptions.
Is this all because of COVID?
Not entirely. Event fundraising has gotten tougher and more expensive with each passing year. While ACS deeply values the incredible work our volunteers and staff continue to do, the pandemic has accelerated our need to diversify the ways we raise revenue, work differently and with fewer ACS staff.
Fundraise to save lives . American Cancer Society fundraising events are inspiring and uplifting ways to save lives wherever you are. From black-tie galas to full-length marathons, we haven an event that will suit your interests as we work together to free the world from cancer.
