Funding & Evaluation

Evaluation

Governance and Organization

The Camp is governed by a 24-member board of directors. The Board's Committees include the Executive Committee, the Development Committee, the Finance Committee, the Buildings and Grounds Committee, and the Program Committee.

The Camp also has a Medical Advisory Committee. Under its guidance, the Medical Director establishes the medical program and criteria for camper enrollment; establishes protocols and procedures for camper care; recruits physicians, nurses, and laboratory technicians; and coordinates the resources of Yale-New Haven Hospital and other participating hospitals.

Internal Evaluation

Procedures are in place to allow the professional and seasonal staff and volunteers to be evaluated and for them to evaluate the Camp's performance. These evaluations range from informal sessions with Camp administrators to written assessments.

External Evaluation

Verification of excellent service delivery and adherence to health and camping standards are derived from the following sources: 

• Annual evaluation by state and local health and fire officials to ensure compliance with mandatory health and safety codes. 

• Accreditation through the American Camping Association (ACA). The ACA evaluates compliance to hundreds of standards every three years. The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp was first accredited in 1993.

• "Program Impact/Benefit Studies" on an annual basis, utilizing camper and parent satisfaction surveys.

• Annual registration and compliance with State of Connecticut Attorney General's Charity Division regulations.

• National states' charity registration

Funding

Beginning in 1987, having recognized the need and dreamed the idea, Paul Newman, with profits from his food company, Newman's Own, Inc., donated the major part of the early funds needed to build the Camp. With the help of Khaled Alhegelan, the Camp received a major gift of $5 million from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A number of foundations, businesses and individuals also donated those first funds that were crucial to make The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp a reality. Since that time thousands of individuals and organizations have identified with Camp and have made this dream their own. 

From the Seabees who cleared the land to the Friends of Somers, who volunteered their labor, hundreds of professionals and volunteer workers donated their time, talent and resources to make the Camp a reality. The Konover Construction Corporation built the Camp at cost. The heated Olympic-size swimming pool was donated by the Connecticut Swimming Pool Association, the first time members ever joined together to work on a charitable project. 

Though Paul Newman continues to energize the Camp, we must now rely on the generosity of individuals, corporations, foundations, and organizations to help us meet our $7.6 million fundraising goal for annual operating expenses and future needs of the Camp. We have an additional goal of $2 million for capital renovations and improvements. The summer and year-round programs for the children and their families are free of charge. 

Cost of Raising Money

The Hole in the Wall Gang Fund's cost of funds raised based on IRS Form 990 for fiscal year 2007 was 10.7 cents. Approximately 10.7 cents was spent on fundraising for every dollar donated. If you would like to make a donation to The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, our How You Can Help page provides instructions for making a gift. Your consideration is appreciated.

Awards

In March of 1999, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp received the 1998 Eleanor Eells' Award for Program Excellence from the American Camping Association The Eleanor Eells' Award honors programs that develop effective, creative responses to the needs of people using the camp environment; encourage continued development of such ideas; stimulate the exchange of creative ideas and present to the public examples of positive contributions camp has made on the well being of individuals and society. Eleanor P.Eells was one of the founders of the Fund for Advancement of Camping and was an active participant within the American Camping Association. Her greatest contribution was helping individuals and camps start new programs. The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp is truly honored to have received this prestigious award from the American Camping Association.