“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” –Helen Keller

Growth is something that most nonprofits strive for, regardless of their size. Small nonprofits want to get big, big nonprofits want to get bigger. Let’s face it, every organization has to grow (at least a little bit) every year in order to accommodate the increased expenses that develop over time. But good organizations do not only grow to meet and exceed the needs of their clients, they take it one step further – creating system changes that directly affect the lives of those they serve.

As many non-profits who are fortunate enough to experience some success soon discover, just because you have arrived doesn’t mean you can rest on your laurels! Growing doesn’t mean just grappling with the same challenges on a larger scale. It means understanding, adjusting to, and managing a whole new set of challenges as well as new opportunities.

Organizational growth requires a lot of strategic planning and effort. During my career I have been fortunate to spend time in both corporate America and the not-for-profit world, which helped prepare me for my role of chief development officer at Feeding Matters.

Since taking on this new role, I’ve had the pleasure to get to know this vibrant, energized group of people who are contributing, at the highest levels, to this thriving organization. And while I am blessed to have three healthy children, I am reminded every day of how many celebrations and life’s pleasures revolve around food and how much I take for granted being able to easily share a meal with my family each and every night.

As all great organizations before us would attest, there is a time when all the stars start align and goals that felt like dreams start to become reality. For Feeding Matters that time is now. For the first time we are within reach of seeing Pediatric Feeding Disorder get its own standalone diagnose. Once that dream becomes a reality it will unlock doors to do much more: needed research, collaboration, insurance reimbursements for families, an education path for healthcare professionals, and system changes for families with children who suffer to eat every day.

Like any other great and lofty goal, it takes time, resources, and funding to cross the finish line. This year Feeding Matters will embark on a three-year, $3 million dollar campaign to ensure our goals do in fact become a reality.

It only takes a moment to make a true human connection, a connection that can generate good will, energy, and positive bonds. Each day we are given dozens of opportunities to give our time, our talent or our treasure to those in need. This year, more than ever, we are asking our community to get behind our mission and help us further advances in pediatric feeding disorder by accelerating identification, igniting research, and promoting collaborative care for the millions of children and families living with pediatric feeding disorder.

To help support Feeding Matters, please contact Debbie Simons at dsimons@feedingmatters.org.