We Need Your Help
We announced our difficult decision to suspend touring operations due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Cast A 2020 is heading home less than halfway through their tour.
In the past, you have asked us to be direct with you. The suspension of the Spring 2020 tour has jeopardized the future financial sustainability of our organization. All revenue sources and future recruitment into UWP are immediately impacted due to the worldwide precautions currently in place. As we simply don’t have the operational reserves to sustain this type of dramatic impact, we are asking for your help.
Addendum 03.17.20
In response to the global impacts of the coronavirus, Up with People formed a task force more than a month ago comprised of senior UWP staff, executive team & the UWP BOD to proactively address the rapidly changing situation surrounding the pandemic. This group has been and continues to meet regularly to discern, discuss and respond to current conditions and mandates related to the pandemic put forth by local and global health and governmental organizations. We are actively considering all possible projection models and are thoughtfully creating appropriate response plans for each.
Please rest assured that UWP has maintained the appropriate insurance coverages for normal operations and has been in close communication with our insurance broker to address any necessary claims and changes that may need to be made.
Additionally, for your convenience please find links to UWP’s 2018 and 2017 annual reports.
This dedicated team is working diligently to balance both the short-term and long-term impacts of COVID-19 on the Up with People organization. Thank you for your support as each of us deals with the personal and professional implications of this unprecedented situation.
Read the Full Up with People Statement Below:
Dear Up with People Family,
As you have likely heard, Up with People (UWP) has made the heart-wrenching decision to suspend the Cast A 2020 spring tour due to the COVID-19 pandemic. UWP’s number one priority has been and continues to be protecting the health, safety, and well-being of our international participants, our host families, and all constituents with whom we interact daily.
As alumni, you can personally understand the human and emotional impact this has had on cast members, staff and families. As well, you can appreciate the financial impact on UWP of canceled sponsorships, cancelled venues, tuition adjustments, unexpected travel arrangements home, and other unforeseen elements related to this unprecedented worldwide situation.
In the past, you have asked us to be direct with you. All revenue sources and future recruitment into UWP are immediately impacted because of the rapid spread of the virus, and the appropriate worldwide response of social distancing and travel restrictions/bans. These unfortunate but necessary conditions related to COVID-19 have forced the suspension of the Spring 2020 tour which in turn jeopardizes the future financial sustainability of our beloved organization. As we simply don’t have the operational reserves to sustain this type of dramatic impact, we are asking for your help.
Therefore, the UWP Board of Directors (BOD) and the UWP Executive Staff with the support of the UWP International Alumni Association (UWPIAA) have created an “UWP Emergency Reserve Fund” to use as needed to weather this storm and the related financial implications. We are urgently asking for contributions from alumni, family, and friends of UWP to build this specialized fund to a minimum level of $750,000 so that we can effectively respond to the extraordinary circumstances related to the rapid spread of the coronavirus.
Although UWP maintains a very small endowment fund, it would be fiscally irresponsible for the long-term sustainability of the organization to dip into that minimal savings account. First, the fund is not large enough to address the problem at bay. Second, the fund serves as the foundation and primary collateral to UWP’s long-term financial strength. Thereby we feel it is critically important to establish the UWP Emergency Reserve Fund. Will you please help UWP respond to the unexpected and sustain future operations?
UWP recognizes that a “new normal” must be established for all of us as we each address the impacts of this coronavirus on our lives. We want to assure you that any contributions made to this fund will be used respectfully and responsibly to respond to the varied needs related to COVID-19. We are considering both the immediate impact and the future implications of this disruption of the financial pipeline with respect to recruitment, sponsorships and tour bookings. This situation may also affect the Fall 2020 tour and beyond. We are continuing to take active steps to additionally trim all organizational expenses while also looking forward to our bright future.
Under the leadership of the incredible UWP staff and our new CEO, Vernon C. Grigg III, as well as the support from the UWP BOD, and our outstanding alumni community, UWP is positioned to move forward into a global thought leadership position, inspiring a new generation of young people to be world citizens.
Please help us make this transition and build the UWP Emergency Response Fund so that we can proactively address the unexpected and ensure that COVID-19 does not create a critical circumstance from which UWP cannot recover. Please make a financial contribution to safeguard the long-term strength of UWP.
Thank you in advance for your ongoing support of Up with People.
Sincerely,
The Up with People Board of Directors, The UWP Administration Team and the UWPIAA
