Last year, a potentially significant donor issued a challenge to Epic Change. When we explained to her our fundraising plan – to raise the majority of our donations through small contributions from ordinary people – she was intrigued, but unconvinced. She pledged to give us $5,000 on October 17, 2008 if we could raise $25,000 in small donations prior to that date.

So far, we’ve raised $23,185.08 in funds eligible for this challenge – and we now have just 2 weeks to raise the additional $1,814.92 to meet our goal.

So we need just 73 people to donate $25 (or more!) by 10/17 – and I’m hoping you’ll be one of them. In our country, that’s a few lattes; in Tanzania, it’s nearly a full month’s salary for most.

In fact, just today we found another donor who’s agreed to double your donation if you become a monthly subscriber for $5, $10, $25 or more before our challenge grant deadline of 10/17 – up to a maximum match of $3,500. As you likely realize, subscribers provide a predictable, stable source of income that allows us to spend more time creating results, and less time fundraising. Of course, while we know you won’t want to, you may discontinue your subscription at any time – but I hope you won’t pass up this opportunity to multiply the good you’re doing.

To donate or subscribe today, click here. After you do, I hope you’ll also post a comment below explaining why you chose to donate to Epic Change today.

I once read a quote by Mother Teresa who wrote:

“What I do you cannot do; but what you do, I cannot do. The needs are great, and none of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all do small things, with great love, and together we can do something wonderful.”

I’m hoping you’ll donate today not only because you know that each dollar you give helps to create Epic Change in the lives of some pretty incredible kids, but also because you want to prove to our potential donors that ordinary people, working together, can do extraordinary good.

PS: To learn more about Pius, the beautiful little boy who’s smiling at you above, click here.

PPS: Pass it on…