Prescott, AZ: Six years ago, when president Mike Fann kicked off Fann Contracting, Inc.’s new charitable giving program, Fann Employees Making A Difference (FEMAD), his goal was simply to encourage his employees to join him in giving back to our local communities.

“When we developed this companywide initiative we knew it would be rewarding for our employees to participate in,” said Fann, who matches every employee contribution dollar-for-dollar. “This year in particular has been very hard on many of our employees with cutbacks and less projects to go around. But I am truly amazed at how successful they’ve made this program, even in this down year. It really is heartwarming and I am very impressed.”

Fann has good reason to be proud of his employees, as FEMAD will distribute a total 2011 contribution of $34,486.00 among seven local nonprofit organizations – bringing the total of the six year program to more than $226,000 gifted to area charitable groups through FEMAD.

Fann commented on how the year has been difficult on the non-profits in our community and how he hopes more businesses can reach out this coming year to help. “We’d be happy to show any business owner how to develop a program like ours. It’s really not hard to implement - and most importantly, it works and is cost-effective.”

Each year, the Charitable Contributions Committee at Fann helps determine the charities that will receive funds raised. Local nonprofits being awarded 2011 FEMAD contributions are: Catholic Charities, which provides family, marital and individual counseling and emergency aid; Northland Cares, working to improve the lives of those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS virus; Prevent Child Abuse Arizona, which promotes programs to ensure that all children grow up in safe, healthy environments; Stepping Stones, a 24-hour shelter and support resource for women and children in crisis; United Way of Yavapai County, serving seniors and the disabled, families and youth in crisis, the homeless and the working poor; West Yavapai Guidance Clinic, Inc., a community health center providing addiction treatment for adults; and YEI!/Prescott Charities, where disabled Prescott-area adults receive job training, employment and support.

“This program helps us to buy supplies and improve our properties that house many of our employees. If there was a road to heaven that needed paving, it would be done by Fann Contracting. Their giving back to this community is just amazing,” stated Brad Newman, Director of Yavapai Exceptional Industries.

Sally Jackson, Stepping Stones Community Outreach Coordinator, was overwhelmed with the more than $7,000 check her charity received. “Like most of the other local charities represented here tonight, our funding has been dramatically reduced. We are not funded by tax dollars, and we’ve seen a dramatic decline in assistance. But this is a true blessing. We’re so grateful to the Fann employees. They’re a wonderful example for other local companies,” stated Jackson.

Every employee who signs up to join FEMAD selects the total amount that he or she wants to give, and can choose either weekly payroll deductions or a one-time deduction from a single paycheck on an employee-specified date. FEMAD participants even determine how their individual contributions are disbursed. An employee can choose to give that donation to just one charity, or split the total among several or all seven nonprofits on the list.

Fann Contracting, Inc. and FEMAD, its affiliate employee charitable contributions program, actively support local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in an effort to make a difference to Prescott and surrounding communities in Yavapai County. Business owners who want to learn more about how to establish a program like FEMAD may contact Kerri Vaughn at 928-778-0170.

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