In a world saturated with digital noise, Crossroads of America Council understands that a tangible connection can be the most powerful tool for building a community. Our mission is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices throughout their lives, instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. We are widely recognized as a community leader in central Indiana, serving more than 16,000 youth and providing them with a safe, fun, and empowering environment to learn, grow, and explore. Our approach goes beyond a digital footprint; it is rooted in reaching people where they are—in their homes and their communities—with a physical message that resonates. Print and direct mail are not just marketing tools for us; they are an essential part of our storytelling, helping us reach families, recruit volunteers, and secure the funding needed to deliver our life-changing programs.

Our organization has a long and successful history of leveraging the power of print to achieve our goals. For decades, we have used printed materials as a primary vehicle for recruitment, particularly for our annual Cub Scout sign-ups. Flyers, posters, and bookmarks are distributed to schools, community centers, and local businesses, serving as the first point of contact for countless families. These pieces are more than just announcements; they are invitations to adventure, featuring vibrant images of happy Scouts engaged in activities like camping, science, and service projects. This approach has proven its effectiveness, laying the groundwork for how we plan to use direct mail in a more strategic and targeted way in the future.

Our most immediate and critical plan for direct mail is to support our end-of-year fundraising efforts. We will develop a series of personalized appeal letters and postcards to share stories of impact and outline the specific needs that contributions will address. A print grant would be instrumental in bringing these ambitious plans to life, allowing us to invest in higher-quality materials, variable data printing, and a broader reach without compromising our operational budget. By using personalized, compelling direct mail, we can maintain strong, personal relationships with our donors and demonstrate the profound difference their generosity makes in a tangible way, ensuring we meet our fundraising goals.

The ability of print and direct mail to deliver our valuable message and share the great things our organization does cannot be overstated. In an increasingly digital landscape, a piece of mail that a family can hold, read, and share with a child feels personal and authentic. It builds trust and establishes a physical presence that a fleeting social media ad simply cannot replicate. Our flyers and mailers are a call to action, but they are also a testament to our commitment to the community. They serve as a physical reminder of our values—courage, character, and leadership—and the impact we have on developing the next generation of servant leaders. By consistently and effectively using print and direct mail, we have been able to cut through the noise, tell our story, and invite thousands of young people and their families to join us in the adventure of a lifetime. A grant would not only enable us to continue this vital work but to amplify it, reaching new audiences and empowering more youth to become prepared for life.