PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PENN’S CENTER FOR HIGH IMPACT PHILANTHROPY NAMES
BENEFITS DATA TRUST AS WORTHY OF INVESTMENT
Philadelphia, PA – December 1, 2009
Benefits Data Trust (BDT), a regional non-profit that connects seniors to valuable government benefits programs, has been cited by the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for High Impact Philanthropy as one of a group of non-profits that are models of efficient and effective philanthropy. The guide profiles the BDT model, which signs seniors up for multiple benefits, as a highly effective avenue for today’s results-oriented philanthropists who are looking to relieve the suffering caused by the economic crisis.
At a time when access to food, medication, and healthcare is on the minds of thousands of older Americans, BDT has developed a cost-effective solution to help vulnerable people better access services that are available to help low-income seniors meet the challenges of these tough economic times.
BDT is a nonprofit committed to helping low-to-moderate income seniors gain access to public benefits. It developed an innovative outreach and application model that uses list strategies, direct mail and call center technologies to locate, contact and apply thousands of limited-income seniors for multiple state and federal benefits they are eligible to receive. In collaboration with regional, state and federal partners, BD Trust has successfully completed more than 165,000 benefit applications over the past three years.
Individuals eligible for one state or federal benefit program are often eligible for other benefit programs administered by different agencies. Enrollment information, however, is rarely shared across agencies. BD Trust works with regional, state and federal agencies to share program enrollment lists. It uses sophisticated direct mail and a highly trained call center to reach out to potentially eligible individuals.
Warren Kantor, Chairman and CEO of BD Trust, said, “We are honored to be recognized by the Center for High Impact Philanthropy study. Having talked to so many people across the city, state and country we understand the challenges limited-income seniors are facing today. We also understand that there are services out there to help people in need. Getting eligible seniors access to food, medicine and heat is a very gratifying use of our time and technology.”
The Center for High Impact Philanthropy is a multi-disciplinary resource center established by alumni of Penn’s Wharton School and housed at the School of Social Policy at the University. Its November 2009 study was titled ‘High Impact Philanthropy in the Downturn’ and was authored by Katherina M. Rosqueta, MBA, a founding executive director of CHIP; Carol A. McLaughlin, research director for global public health at Center for High Impact Philanthropy, MD, MPH; and Hilary J. Rhodes, PhD, a senior analyst at Abt Associates.
The study focused on housing, health and hunger throughout the Country and the organizations providing effective assistance in combating those problems in a severely weakened economy. The study methodology synthesized information from three domains: research, informed opinion and field expertise to evaluate providers. The study is available at www.impact.upenn.edu/our_work/ViewEconDown.html.
“BDT’s ability to impact the lives of seniors through high-impact philanthropy in the current economical climate is huge. For every $50,000 that BDT receives in philanthropy, we can help approximately 1,000 seniors living with low-income access approximately $1.65 million dollars in just one year. That is a social return on investment of 33:1 in one year. In most cases, individuals will continue to access benefits for many years to come. The benefits we help older Americans access - covers the cost of prescriptions, food, shelter and healthcare. The BDT model is build for high impact results.” commented Warren Kantor.
About Benefits Data Trust
Benefits Data Trust is non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation committed to positively impacting the lives of low-income people by developing and implementing innovative strategies to locate, contact, and apply individuals for public benefits for which they are eligible to receive. BDT uses direct marketing outreach strategies to implement large-scale, cost-effective outreach campaigns for multiple public benefit programs including the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), Medicare Savings Program, State Prescription Assistance Programs, Property Tax and Rent Rebates, Food Stamps, and others.
To learn more about Benefits Data Trust and its work please visit www.bdtrust.org or contact Michele Raymond, Development Director, at mraymond@bdtrust.org.
Related Links:
Penn’s Center for High Impact Philanthropy:
Focus on Housing, Health and Hunger During Economic Crisis
School of Social Policy & Practice | University of Pennsylvania