Is Stand for the Silent Legit? About Our Fundraising Practices
You’ve probably found this page because you encountered Stand for the Silent through a presentation, a community outreach event (like a table outside of a store), or perhaps you saw someone wearing our t-shirt. Now, you’re researching to see if Stand for the Silent is legitimately one of the most effective anti-bullying organizations.
- Yes, we are a 501(c)(3) organization, founded in 2010.
- Yes, our work is possible only because of individual donors like you.
- Yes, we genuinely make an impact on the critical issues of school bullying and teen suicide
Below we hope to answer your questions about how Stand For The Silent is funded and how your donation saves lives by connecting with students, educators, and parents about bullying and the real devastation it causes. Yes, Stand for the Silent is legit and we could use your support.
How does my donation make a difference?
Our Founder Kirk Smalley says “Students have a chance to change the world we live in by taking a stand against bullying and taking a stand to help others.” We want you to be confident that your support makes that vision possible. Stand for the Silent (SFTS) addresses the serious issues of school bullying and teen suicide through compelling and heartfelt presentations at schools, churches, and community organizations. We have reached millions of children nationwide and received thousands of life-saving testimonials. By increasing awareness, we strive to reduce the incidence of suicide. Below are some of the ways we use donations from supporters like you to fulfill that mission.
“Students have a chance to change the world we live in by taking a stand against bullying and taking a stand to help others.” – Kirk Smalley, President & Founder
Free School Presentations
Central to our mission are free school presentations, which aim to raise awareness about the devastation caused by bullying and its link to teen suicide. In 2024, we plan to reach 100,000 children, encouraging them to become allies. Feedback from schools, children, and parents highlights the positive impact of this initiative.
Scholarship Programs
Our scholarship program is growing rapidly. We recognize students who have made significant contributions to this cause and who have triumphed over bullying. Their profiles are showcased on our website, and we are awarding more scholarships than ever before.
Backpack Program
Our backpack program provides free school supplies to underprivileged children, many of whom are victims of bullying. For these kids, receiving a backpack full of essentials represents more than just supplies; it’s a sign of care and hope, ensuring they have what they need to succeed in school.
Parent and Educator Guides to Bullying
This year, we expanded our reach with free guides for parents like The Proactive Parent’s Cyberbullying Handbook and free bullying prevention lesson plans for K-2 teachers.
Other Giving
Donations support a range of initiatives, including school playgrounds, lunch programs, suicide hotlines, shelters, and camp scholarships. Every dollar contributes to making a difference, with donations carefully allocated based on community needs.
How does Stand For The Silent raise money?
Direct Donations
We meet many of our donors at powerful presentations that shed light on the devastating impacts of bullying. These events in high schools, elementary schools, and community centers have reached over 4.15 million students since 2010. They play a crucial role in our mission to prevent teen suicide. Parents and community members like you are often moved to contribute after seeing the impact of our work and want to make these free school presentations possible all over the country. Donations are collected both at presentations and online.
Community Outreach (Stand for the Silent Tables)
SFTS also engages in nationwide community outreach. Young philanthropists raise money outside coffee shops, grocery stores, and other locations, spreading the message to end bullying. They share heartfelt stories and encourage passersby to visit the organization’s website. This outreach not only raises awareness but also fosters healing, as personal connections are made. This deep sense of shared purpose often compels donors to support the cause and work to prevent future tragedies.
If you encounter one of our outreach tables in your community and you have a concern about your interaction, please reach out to us at contact@standforthesilent.org.
Message Focused Apparel and Educational Materials
We raise funds from the sale of Stand for the Silent apparel and educational materials. When people wear Stand for the Silent t-shirts and sweatshirts, they’re creating opportunities to spark meaningful conversations while supporting our mission.
Is there a cost to your fundraising efforts?
Of course. We want to be transparent about that. In addition to the cost of organizing and free school presentations, there is a cost for things like producing Stand for the Silent apparel and paying our community outreach teams. However, not only do these efforts raise money to support our mission focused work, they’re also part of building human connections and starting real conversations about bullying and the real devastation it causes.
Transparency
If you’re asking if Stand for the Silent is legit, you may turn to trusted organizations like GuideStar and Charity Navigator. On GuideStar we have an excellent transparency score. We are in the process of sending updated materials to Charity Navigator. Once complete, Charity Navigator will better reflect the organization’s transparency and impact.
Still have more questions! Send an email to contact@standforthesilent.org and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
For any media inquiries, please visit us at https://standforthesilent.org/media-new/