DONOR SPOTLIGHT: DEBORAH THORNTON

When Bill Gates said, “As we look into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others,” he was describing Sambhali U.S. 2019’s debut and philanthropist Deborah Thornton of Silver Spring, Maryland. Impressed from the start with Sambhali’s fearless mission, Deborah took it to heart and is now leading the way as the organization’s premiere social media fundraiser.

And she is doing this for very personal reasons. 

“The Sambhali mission matters because women and girls in Rajasthan matter. I’m inspired by their work to promote self-esteem, education, health, and economic independence,” Deborah explains. “Fundraising is one way to support those activities.” 

Rajasthan, India is where, for centuries, women have been forced to live lives void of self-determination, dreams and independence. The activities Deborah refers to are the various Sambhali U.S.-funded initiatives through the Sambhali Trust that are equipping women and girls to break through barriers to health, security and prosperity like never before in their part of the world. Sambhali U.S. has funded several primary education centers, empowerment centers, a program for teens on puberty, as well as funding for a hotline and a boarding home.

But this isn’t the only reason why Deborah opened her heart to Sambhali U.S. and female empowerment.

When Deborah learned of Sambhali’s mission from an esteemed colleague, it hit all the right notes with the semi-retired communications consultant, musician and jazz vocalist. Born and raised in the Detroit area, the self-described “Motown baby” would later move to the D.C. area and, ultimately, Silver Spring, Maryland. It was there that Deborah’s life would take another turn and give birth to something beautiful through great pain and difficulty.

“I decided to do a Facebook fundraiser for my birthday last November,” Thornton recalls. “My initial plan was to raise funds for a sustainable living center in Oregon where my daughter, Scout, had been a board member. After she was killed in an accident last summer, we created a memorial fund to support that center,” Deborah graciously shared. “Then, as I was about to set up the fundraiser, I got an announcement about the official launch of Sambhali U.S.” 

“That was the moment I decided to dedicate my fundraiser to Sambhali U.S. Friends and family were already making donations to the memorial fund and Scout was passionate about empowering women and girls. She would have loved this organization! Raising funds to support an organization that had just been born was icing on the birthday cake.”

The celebration continues. Launching her first Facebook fundraiser was not only uncomplicated, but it turned out to be the gift that keeps giving.  

“This was my first Facebook fundraiser, but setting it up was very easy. Believe it or not, the hardest part was deciding which of the beautiful photos from the Sambhali U.S. website I would use on the page,” Deborah recalled. “I started with the default goal of $200. Donations exceeded that amount within the first few hours, so I increased the goal to $500. When donations reached about $450, I got a little giddy and increased the goal to $1,000. That seemed wildly ambitious at the time, but when the fundraiser ended, the online donations came to $1,095. On top of that, a few people sent checks directly to Sambhali.” 

Lastly and humbly, Deborah added, “I was blown away by the generosity of my friends, many of whom also contributed to my daughter’s memorial fund.” 

“We are looking for fearless fundraisers who will follow Deborah’s example,” said Elly Brtva, Vice President and Chair of the Sambhali U.S. Development Committee.  “Our goal in 2020 is to have at least 20 individuals host a Facebook fundraiser. Deborah’s experience shows how fast and easy this is to set up, and we are fortunate to have Facebook’s digital platform to encourage others who will impact the deserving women and girls of Rajasthan.”

In closing, Deborah stated, “Philanthropy is a way for me to give back to the world and put my time and money where my heart is.” Everyone at Sambhali U.S. is grateful for Deborah Thornton’s generous heart. May her dedication to life, love and legacy inspire everyone everywhere.