Dear Supporters,

September 6, 2024 marked six years since the shooting at Fountain Square and six years since W/S was organized. Thanks to all of you, your support and hard work, we’ve found common ground and produced results in a space and place others thought to be intractable.

At six years, one may think it is time for me to move on to the next challenge. However, if you know me, you know I am not one to back down, even when the challenge feels insurmountable. Like Steve Jobs once said, “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do." 

Supporters, call me crazy, but I believe it is possible for us to change the world together. That change will be evidenced by clear data that gun deaths and injuries in this country are declining significantly and that the reduction is sustained. I’ve thought long and hard about how Whitney/Strong can be more effective in contributing to that goal and I am excited to announce a new organization that will allow us to do just that! Instead of one organization that executes on both education and legislative solutions, we will now have two organizations with a singular focus for each:The Whitney/Strong Organization and The Whitney/Strong Legislative Fund.

The Whitney/Strong Organization, the existing501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, will focus on continuing and accelerating community-level impact through education with our Save A Life programming. Through evidence-based trainings including the W/S Rules of Firearm Safety, STOP THE BLEED®, and QPR and Sources of Strength for suicide prevention, Whitney/Strong Organization will continue to increase prevention knowledge and safe firearm practices in the places that need it most.

The Whitney/Strong Legislative Fund, a 501(c)(4)nonprofit organization, is newly created to focus on accelerating impact through bipartisan-led legislation. Prior to creating this 501(c)(4), Whitney/Strong could only engage in limited lobbying activities. "Lobbying” includes activities such as speaking directly to lawmakers about legislation like Crisis Aversion and Rights Retention (CARR). While I am very proud of what we have accomplished together, especially our efforts to pass the federal Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, bipartisan legislation at the state level demands more of us. Imagine how much more we will accomplish now that we are unshackled from this limitation on lobbying!

Rest assured, our commitment to data-driven, bipartisan, common ground solutions is unchanged. Having (c)(4) and (c)(3) organizations simply allow us to pursue this goal more effectively.

The Whitney/Strong Legislative Fund (501(c)(4)) will:

1. Require all supported legislation to be championed with bipartisan support within the legislature.

2. Require all supported policy initiatives to be supported by the majority of Americans (representing both major political parties), as evidenced by polling data when available. 

3. Require all supported policy initiatives to be evidence-based.

4. Primarily focus efforts on the passage of CARR in Kentucky.
   

The Whitney/Strong Legislative Fund will not:

1. Engage in political activities like political campaigns and fundraisers.

2. Make donations to political candidates, elected officials, or PACs.

What comes next?

As the lifeblood of our organization, I cannot underscore how important your support is to the success of our mission. As partners, I want to ensure you are informed and aware of the multiple ways you can continue to help.  We are the sum total of our actions and you now have  more control and options to move the needle and make an impact. 

To help save lives through Save A Life, our community education programming, donate to The Whitney/Strong Organization (501(c)(3)). To help reduce gun violence through legislation like CARR, donate to The Whitney/Strong Legislative Fund (501(c)(4)). Better yet, donate to both! The status quo is not OK and we owe it to ourselves and future generations to act.

Please note that 501(c)(3) donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by IRS regulations and 501(c)(4)donations are not. 

Going forward, fundraising opportunities will clearly identify which organization will benefit and whether your gift may be tax-deductible. This is an exciting time for Whitney/Strong. I am excited for us to move the needle together!

Lastly, I will still serve as the Executive Director over both organizations, a feat that is only possible because of the strong leadership we have within the Whitney/Strong team. I want to thank this team, seen and unseen, for making all of this possible.

Now, let us dream big, crazy dreams, focus, and change the world together. 

-Whitney