Innocence Project of Texas

Texas Innocence Project seeks funds after Madoff debacle

My employers at the Innocence Project of Texas (IPOT), a group
dedicated to freeing innocent people from prison, took a major hit
recently after the closure of the New-York based JEHT Foundation,
which was a victim of the infamous Bernard Madoff ponzi scheme
scandal. This unforeseen financial blow caused the Austin Statesman's
editorial page to wonder, "What's the penalty for stealing hope?" A
JEHT Foundation grant made up more than half of IPOT's annual funding.

Today IPOT Executive Director Natalie Roetzel sent out an email
soliciting donations. Here's the text:
The Innocence Project of Texas Needs Your Help
DONATE TODAY!!!

The Innocence Project of Texas dedicates its time and money to assist
those who have become voiceless in the criminal justice system, to
those who have been wrongfully convicted of crimes in the State of
Texas. In order to fund our Project, we actively seek out the support
of foundations and donors, but we have learned over the past few
weeks that we are not immune from Wall Street scandal. Most recently,
our organization was informed that the JEHT Foundation, a major
funder of IPOT's work in Dallas County, is closing its doors after
being hit hard by Bernard Madoff's alleged ponzi scheme. In the wake
of this tragedy that is affecting numerous non-profit organizations
around the country, we are reaching out to you for contributions to
our cause.

The JEHT Foundation has a legacy of funding organizations and
government entities committed to achieving justice and preserving
equality and human rights. In June of this year, the Foundation
pledged more than $450,000 to fund DNA tests and IPOT expenses
related to our work on Dallas County cases. Today, that funding is in
jeopardy as the JEHT Foundation was forced to close its doors and
inform grant recipients that no additional payments will be made on
previously awarded grants. Although the loss of a portion of the IPOT
designated JEHT funds will not constitute an end to our organization,
it is a definite hurdle that we are committed to overcoming.

If you would like to assist the Innocence Project of Texas in our
struggle to raise much needed funds for case investigations, DNA
testing, and operational expenses, please consider making a donation
today. By donating to the Innocence Project of Texas, you can play a
part in making sure that Texas's wrongfully convicted men and women
receive the justice they deserve.

Donate online today or mail your donation to the address below. We
look forward to hearing from you soon.

Innocence Project of Texas
1511 Texas Avenue
Lubbock, Texas 79401

Please help if you're able, and the more zeroes you can tack onto the
end of the contribution, the better.

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