An Interview With Josh Horwitz, Executive Director, Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence

Josh Horwitz is executive director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence and the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence, and has spent nearly two decades working on gun violence prevention issues. According to the organization, he "developed the long-term strategy to close illegal firearms markets as a way to focus the gun-control movement on gaps in the nation's gun laws that allow criminals to obtain firearms. This strategy includes implementation of policies such as closing the gun show loophole."

Horwitz also represents victims and municipalities in their lawsuits against the gun industry.

Here, we talk to Horwitz about the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence and how it raises funds for its $392,000-a-year operating budget to further its mission.

FundRaising Success: How does the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence fund its mission?
Josh Horwitz: The Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence and our (501)(c)(4) sister organization, the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, raise funds from a variety of sources. We support our mission to secure freedom from gun violence through individual and major-gift solicitation, foundation grants, direct mail, and e-mail solicitation. Most of our funds are raised through tax-deductible individual giving and grants to the Ed Fund.

FS: What are the Ed Fund's fundraising strengths/weaknesses?
JH: The Ed Fund draws a great of deal of strength from the fact that we have survivors of gun violence on staff who are able to use their passion and their stories to connect with and inspire supporters. Another strong point is that the Ed Fund is an incredibly lean organization. We were able to cut overhead expenses drastically over the past few years, and we successfully run a wide range of violence prevention programs on a tight budget.

Unfortunately, the gun violence prevention issue can be demoralizing because we deal with so many tragedies. Almost every week, there is a new mass shooting, a new story about someone who should never have been able to get their hands on a gun but was able to easily obtain one. Of course, these tragedies are exactly why we won't ever give up! It's our responsibility to encourage people and show that they can make a real difference in the face of this national epidemic.