Final Prospectus Letter

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Bentonville, AK 72716-8611
1-800-331-0085

Dear Wal-Mart and Associates,

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Ashby Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization devoted to providing humanitarian assistance where it is most needed. All of the Ashby Foundation efforts are currently focused in the island nation of Cape Verde, West Africa. These efforts are centered on creating a long-term impact on individual lives through educational assistance and employment-related training. We believe in the concept of teaching a man to fish instead of giving him a fish. As the Ashby Foundation is a non-profit organization, we rely on generous contributions from various sponsors. The Foundation is asking for $1 million worth of school supplies from Wal-Mart. With this large contribution, approximately 10,000 students would be sponsored with full supplies and scholarships for their education for one year. Wal-Mart is a highly publicized business. You are known throughout the world and tend to be under the spotlight frequently. Helping an organization such as The Ashby Foundation will shed some light on the values of Wal-Mart. Although the impact of your donations will not be known in a local community, the individuals and the community it does reach will be affected in a way that will last for a lifetime. The Ashby Foundation is anxious to continue their work and service to the individuals in Cape Verde, West Africa. We would like to receive a response from Wal-Mart by May 1.

SPONSOR APPEAL

As our Foundation began considering businesses that would be willing and available to help sponsor, we did not hesitate in making a decision when Wal-Mart was discussed. A major part of our foundation is to help less fortunate individuals learn the basics of running their own business. Wal-Mart is easily one of the most successful businesses up and running today. Not only would Wal-Mart be able to donate the above mentioned supplies, by example alone you would be able to show others the importance of running a great business. Wal-Mart is known for its sustainability in many things. We, as a Foundation, feel that this contribution would be a great leap in getting the positive image of Wal-Mart and its goals as a company to make the world a better place out in the public eye. We also feel that it would be a great example in getting others involved in our great cause.

PROBLEM

Cape Verde, West Africa is a young country that suffers from extreme lack of income. Young students don’t have the option to attend school. Families need as much help as possible at home to provide for themselves. School is a regular part of life for Americans. Kids begin the long process of public or private education at a very young age. We, as a Foundation and as a society have a great opportunity. We have been blessed with the means to help others and bring to them knowledge that otherwise would not have been available. We are able to teach individuals skills that will help them throughout their life and in return, they will be able to help others in the same.

OUR SOLUTION

The Ashby Foundation provides humanitarian assistance to deserving individuals in the form of educational scholarships, employment training and start-up business assistance.
We welcome your help and believe that you can bless the lives of those less fortunate. Wal-Mart can volunteer its time, donate needed goods and services or contribute to our programs. The Ashby Foundation was started in 2002 by the descendants of Hannah Cropper Ashby and Eda Ashby Bingham to honor their legacy of selfless service and compassionate care. The Foundation is funded by their descendants as well as from generous contributions by other individuals that believe in blessing the lives of others.

CAPABILITIES

The Ashby Foundation is very passionate about what we do and what we believe in. We plan on making difference with the support of multiple donors. Our goals will move forward because of our enthusiasm for education and making a difference in the lives of those who have been less fortunate. We feel that thus far we have been a successful organization. Each year the Ashby Foundation provides scholarships to keep more than 350 students in school and completing their educations. To date more the 1200 annual scholarships have been provided to deserving students on six of the Cape Verde islands. The students that receive scholarships from the Ashby Foundation provide community service hours as a way to "repay" these scholarships. Over the past four years, students have contributed more than 150,000 community service hours across six different islands. Working in groups the students have built homes, repaired schools, painted hospitals, collected food for children, distributed school supplies, participated in vaccination programs and much more.

ABOUT WAL-MART

As a company Wal-Mart gives donations to numerous organizations. “At Wal-Mart, we believe in a philosophy of operating globally and giving back locally. We know we can make the greatest impact on our communities by supporting causes that are important to our customers right in their own neighborhoods. We’re proud to be a ‘store of the community’ for all of the communities we serve by helping to provide financial and volunteer support to more than 100,000 charitable and community-focused organizations, and by using our locations to provide opportunities for our customers and associates to give back.” Scholarships and education is something that Wal-Mart Strongly supports. “We believe that a good education provides many opportunities and leads to living a better life.” As a Foundation, we strongly agree with this statement. ‘Teaching someone to fish rather than giving them a fish’ can last for a lifetime.


BUDGET

As mentioned above, The Ashby Foundation is in need of 1 million dollars worth of school supplies that will help approximately 10,000 students with their supplies and provide a scholarship for their education. “Thanks to our associates’ unselfish commitment, we donate over $5 million per year to charitable organizations.” When you realize the impact that will be made from this donation and the positive influence that will last a lifetime on the individual you give an education to is priceless. Each individual that is given an education is able to take that with them throughout their life. In Cape Verde education is something that is not easy to come by and if given the opportunity many would not be able to afford it financially. By educating one person, that person is then in return, able to pass on his/her education to another individual. The long-term hope is that Cape Verde will be able to sustain their population and no longer need the help and donations of other individuals and corporations.
In donating $1 million you will not only be helping the lives of the individuals you send to school, but you will be helping the development of a fledgling country. We, at The Ashby Foundation feel very strongly about the service that we are able to provide to the individuals in Cape Verde. We also feel that receiving the above-mentioned donation from Wal-Mart will increase our service range to a point we never thought imaginable. Thank you very much for your time and consideration in this proposal. We look forward to hearing from you. Please contact us anytime before May 1 if any concerns or questions arise.

Sincerely,
The Ashby Foundation
Ashby Foundation
1496 N. Harvard Ave.
Washington, UT 84780
1-435-862-8737

DRAFT: Prospectus Letter

Prospectus Letter

Part 1-Summary

The Ashby Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization devoted to providing humanitarian assistance where it is most needed. All of the Ashby Foundation efforts are currently focused in island nation of Cape Verde, West Africa. These efforts are centered on creating a long-term impact on individual lives through educational assistance and employment related training. We believe in the concept of teaching a man to fish instead of giving him a fish.
As the Ashby Foundation is a non-profit organization, we rely on generous contributions from various sponsors. The Foundation needs 1 million dollars worth of school supplies. With this large contribution, approximately 10,000 students would be sponsored with full supplies and scholarships for their education for one year.

Part 2-Sponsor Appeal

As our Foundation began considering businesses that would be willing and available to help sponsor The Ashby Foundation didn’t hesitate when Wal-Mart was brought to mind. Another major part of our foundation is to help less fortunate individuals learn the basics of running their own business. Wal-Mart is easily one of the most successful businesses up and running today. Not only would you be able to donate the above mentioned supplies, by example alone you would be able to show others the importance of running a great business. Wal-Mart is known for its sustainability in all things. We, as a Foundation, feel that this contribution would be a great leap in getting the positive image of Wal-Mart and its goals as a company to make the world a better place out in the public eye. We also feel that it would be a great example in getting others involved in our great cause.

Part 3-Problem

As a company Wal-Mart gives donations to numerous organizations. “At Wal-Mart, we believe in a philosophy of operating globally and giving back locally. We know we can make the greatest impact on our communities by supporting causes that are important to our customers right in their own neighborhoods. We’re proud to be a "store of the community" for all of the communities we serve by helping to provide financial and volunteer support to more than 100,000 charitable and community-focused organizations, and by using our locations to provide opportunities for our customers and associates to give back.” Scholarships and education is something that Wal-Mart Strongly supports. “We believe that a good education provides many opportunities and leads to living a better life.” As a Foundation, we strongly agree with this statement. ‘Teaching someone to fish rather than giving them a fish’ can last for a lifetime.




Part 4-Solution

The Ashby Foundation provides humanitarian assistance to deserving individuals in the form of educational scholarships, employment training and start-up business assistance.
We welcome your help and believe that you can bless the lives of those less fortunate. You can volunteer your time, donate needed goods and services or contribute to our programs. The Ashby Foundation was started in 2002 by the descendants of Hannah Cropper Ashby and Eda Ashby Bingham to honor their legacy of selfless service and compassionate care. The Foundation is funded by their descendants as well as from generous contributions by other individuals that believe in blessing the lives of others.

Part 5-Capabilities

The Ashby Foundation is very passionate about what we do and what we believe in. We plan on making difference with the support of multiple donors. Our goals will move forward because of our enthusiasm for education and making a difference in the lives of those who have been less fortunate. We have a credible organization. We feel that thus far we have been a successful organization. Each year the Ashby Foundation provides scholarships to keep more than 350 students in school and completing their educations. To date more the 1200 annual scholarships have been provided to deserving students on six of the Cape Verde islands. The students that receive scholarships from the Ashby Foundation provide community service hours as a way to "repay" these scholarships. Over the past four years, students have contributed more than 150,000 community service hours across six different islands. Working in groups the students have built homes, repaired schools, painted hospitals, collected food for children, distributed school supplies, participated in vaccination programs and much more.

Part 6-Budget

As mentioned above, The Ashby Foundation is in need of 1 million dollars worth of school supplies that will help approximately 10,000 students with their supplies and provide a scholarship for their education. “Thanks to our associates’ unselfish commitment, we donate over $5 million per year to charitable organizations.” 1 million dollars in supplies seems to be a lot of money to ask for. However, when you realize the impact that will be made and the positive influence that will last a lifetime on the individual you give an education to is priceless.
Part 7-Conclusion
In donating 1 million dollars you will be helping the lives of the individuals you send to school, but you will be helping the development of a fledgling country. We’d be happy to talk with you further about this. Please call if you want more information.

Spring!

The month of April is usually something that I enjoy. Not this time. I know, I know, it is only the second day of the month. But April is 0 for 2 in the good weather count.
I enjoyed a great weekend ... I have enjoyed five of the last five weekends in St. George with nothing but pool-side lounging and non-competitive tennis for hours on end (sorry Chan, step it up)! My favorite moment of all weekends combined was receiving a phone call from my little sister who was still in Logan last weekend. "Hey, what's going on down there? I am going to a soccer game with about nine layers of clothing on and it's snowing AGAIN." As that statement was made, the rest of our family was laying out next to the pool and the temperature gage read 82 degrees!! HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?!?!
I am attempting, although it may not seem like it, to be as optimistic as possible. It is hard, but I am doing my best. Here are a few of the things that I do enjoy about Spring:
-The non-stop smack talk of tennis matches with anyone at anytime. At the first sign of warm weather my tennis skills seem to improve without even an hour of practice ...
-Spring shoes! New patterned flats that go with everything and nothing all at once!
-Birds chirping every morning. Although the weather is not great, I have still heard the small chirp of birds for several mornings in a row.
-Popsicles! Any kind, any flavor, anytime of the day! (push-ups and otter-pops are definitely at the top of the list!)
-Exclamation points!! They seem so much more enthusiastic when the sun is shining! (this may be a pathetic excuse for me using this punctuation mark non-stop.)
-Missing class. This is fun year-round actually!
-Making plans for the summer. Once spring comes, my summer automatically seems so involved, it never ends up being that way but the talk of it keeps me entertained. I think I have planned at least four large vacations this summer ...
-Woot-offs! This is a new favorite and I hope it will continue year around. Thanks Dad!! Check out woot.com.
I think I could add a hundred more things to this list. But I am going to wait for the first day when the temperature reaches above 50 degrees and I beat Chantel at tennis AGAIN!