NVCCE meeting the need for civics - on any platform anywhere in Nevada. 2020 brought the best of our adaptive skills - but we need support to stay nimble next year.

It’s been a year – one where the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) was unable to identify a single word to describe it. Instead, this seminal reference guide noting,

Such has been the experience here at the Nevada Center for Civic Engagement as well. “Nimble,” “adept,” and “skillful” – each would accurately describe the work accomplished this year. 

Supporting Teachers and Students with eBooks and textbooks.

This year we spent approximately $20,000 on textbooks/eBooks for only some of our civic courses. We also trained more teachers than ever before. And while eBooks are cheaper and more accessible, they expire – unlike physical textbooks. We must renew these licenses to ensure incoming students have access. So – to stay nimble – and ensure we have enough funds to get us started in the new year, we’re seeking to raise $21,000.

Will you help us reach this goal so we can be confident that we can support our current teachers and future ones as well? 

For 2021 – Let’s start the year off with $21,000 in the books for books to promote the study of history, law, and civics. 

Our goal is to raise at least $21,000 for student textbooks and eBooks. Meeting this goal means we will be able to ensure our ongoing support of civics in classrooms, and we will be nimble to adapt to any demands 2021 will bring. Thank you for your support.

“Home Means Nevada” monthly giving pilot program

We are launching a pilot program for monthly giving; our “Home Means Nevada” level asks for a recurring monthly gift of $18.64. Each month these digits appearing on your bank statement will remind you of your sustaining investment in Nevada’s civic future – as well as Nevada statehood. 

By becoming a recurring donor, you will also have access to a dedicated section of our website – where we will post special events, archived materials, and make special announcements. This program is most exciting – and we will grant the title of “Founding Supporter” to the first 100 people who sign up for monthly giving. 

“We the People”: Zooming to Nationals, ongoing teacher training

Despite the incredible challenges of conducting in-person teacher training, our adept team adapted to virtual online delivery of all our programs, inclusive of professional development and delivery of curriculum content and experiences. 

Nevada sent two teams to the first National Finals Challenge, a virtual replacement for the National Finals “We the People…” Competition. Our teams performed superbly, and you can read more about their experience here.

Over the summer and fall, nearly 67 new teachers received training on our programs, inclusive of “We the People,”Project Citizen, and National History Day in Nevada. 

Nearly losing all of our funding

Meanwhile, we saw the second year of our biennial appropriation on the chopping block during the 31st Special Session from the office. Thankfully our funding survived the session – a strong testament to the investment by the legislature in civic education. 

Thriving in Digital Professional Development - Program Delivery

We’ve done well this year – you can read more by downloading our annual report here (Annual Report).

For 2021 our “word of the year” will be “sustainability.” At NVCCE, we’ve found a treasure trove of wealth in our programs. But like raw mine ore, it needs to be milled and shared to realize its social value. And this brings me to the purpose of this letter. 

THANK YOU for all you have done.

You are receiving this letter because you’ve already invested time, talent, or treasure into our mission of “supporting the development of responsible and informed citizens.” The work continues, and I can’t think of a more critical time in our history where more pressure has been put onto our public institutions. And thus, we are rightly compelled to ensure our continued ability to maintain and deliver our programs. If not surviving – thriving. 

We need support to ensure that we can:

• Any teacher, student or person, deserves access to civics.

• Maintaining the digital connection.

• Honoring our commitment to our teachers, providing over $20,000 in textbooks/eBooks.

  • Whether in person or online, we will deliver physical books or electronic versions – whichever the teacher will use. 

Leveraging every dollar 2:1 return on Gannett Grant

Last year we received a $50,000 grant from Gannett to support our programs – we doubled that amount by leveraging in-kind donations. 

Help us stay nimble to meet the demand, anywhere for anyone?

This year – we’re asking you to help ensure we remain nimble in answering the demand for civic engagement in Nevada. It should be an easy task – because each of you knows the value of our programs and have already supported us. Any amount you can donate will help! It will also help us in fundraising to show how much support we do have in the community. Whether small or large, your engagement is the most valuable asset we can imagine. 

Stay Tuned - we’re just getting revved up.

Stay on the lookout for events and outstanding opportunities to engage in 2021 (Did someone say Memberships?). We recognize the constant desire to learn more – and our monthly speaker series isn’t just for teachers – it’s for all life-long students of civics. 

Thank you for your ongoing support. We are excited to present to you the Nevada Center for Civic Engagement – Nevada’s home for the best civic education programs in the world. And your financial support will improve our future by engaging with today.