A Message from Penny Forward Founder and CEO, Chris Peterson

Dear Penny Forward Supporters,

As we approach the end of another impactful year at Penny Forward, we want to express our sincere gratitude for your unwavering support in building bright futures for blind people. Your generosity has been instrumental in enabling us to provide accessible financial education, courses, and resources that empower the blind to navigate the financial landscape with confidence and independence.

As we reflect on the accomplishments of 2023, we are thrilled to share some highlights:

• Expanded Reach by tripling our membership and building new collaborative partnerships: Through your support, Penny Forward reached a wider audience, extending our services to more blind people across diverse communities.
• Innovative Educational Programs: We successfully launched new and innovative financial education courses like “Budgeting and Banking Basics,” and “Simplifying Social Security,” tailored to meet the unique needs of the blind, enhancing our skills and knowledge.
• Community Impact and engagement to create our new strategic plan: Our initiatives had a tangible impact on the lives of those we serve, fostering a sense of community and empowerment among blind people striving for financial independence. We brought 100+ people together to create our Strategic plan (Read our strategic plan here)
• Hired our first full-time CEO: Penny Forward is so thankful for our volunteers and our part-time staff. And I am pleased and thankful to the board for their vote of confidence in me as I step into a fulltime CEO role to take Penny Forward to the next level of impact.

Speaking of our ambitious plans for 2024. Here are three key initiatives we are eager to launch with your continued support:

• Technology Advancements: Implementing innovative technologies to enhance accessibility and user experience, ensuring our educational resources are even more accessible to a broader audience.
• Collaborative Partnerships: Strengthening collaborations with other nonprofits, financial institutions, and educational organizations to create a more comprehensive and interconnected support system for the blind.
• Specialized Career Development: Introducing specialized career development programs, like our “Employment Essentials,” and “Introduction to Investing” Courses launching in 2024, to equip blind people with the skills and resources needed to thrive in diverse professional environments.

Your ongoing commitment to Penny Forward plays a vital role in making these initiatives a reality. As we look ahead to 2024, we invite you to continue supporting our mission and join us in illuminating the path towards financial independence for blind people.

To contribute to Penny Forward’s mission with a tax-deductible donation, please visit https://www.pennyforward.com/donate/

Thank you once again for being a beacon of hope and support. Together, let us make 2024 a year of even greater impact and transformation.

Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a prosperous New Year!

Warm regards,

Chris Peterson

Founder and CEO, Penny Forward