Zdravo Metodija, 

The United Macedonian Diaspora was founded on October 28, 2004, to serve as a professional, persistent, and unwavering voice for Macedonians in Washington, D.C.

In our 19th year, we are proud to have expanded to be the leading voice, promoter, and protector of Macedonian interests worldwide. Happy Anniversary to UMD! 

When we tell you it has never been more critical to support UMD, we do this with pride and sadness. 

We are proud to promote, share, and encourage Macedonian culture. There have been many successes, new connections, and investment opportunities to protect and defend Macedonians at home and abroad. 

But we are living in a time where institutionalized racism is increasing, and we must stand firm, strong, and together more than ever. 

UMD has never wavered from a challenge, and we have continually, persistently, professionally, and unwaveringly advocated for self-determination, cultural preservation, and the importance of embracing our Macedonian heritage. 

Now, we must fight racism and discrimination more than ever: we have expanded our public affairs programs, our PR efforts, and our social media campaigns all to make our voices heard more than ever. 

With thanks to you, our members, our donors, and our friends, UMD has never been in a stronger position to lead an extensive array of advocacy, youth leadership development, volunteerism, and educational, charitable, and cultural programs.

A few highlights in the past year:

• Held the first ever historic and what we hope annual Solun (Thessaloniki) Human Rights Forum in Greece!
• Launched UMD Brazil and UMD Sweden, and seeking growth opportunities in other parts of the world where there are Macedonians.
• Secured Macedonian-American Heritage Month resolutions and proclamations in the U.S. Senate, by the Governors of Michigan and Illinois, Mayors of Chicago, New York City, and Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
• Funded Macedonian language classes in the Macedonian Diaspora, with over 60 students.
• Funded Macedonian language classes in Greece, through UMD Australia efforts.
• Hosted 11 students through Birthright Macedonia.
• Gave out 20 Bitove Scholarships, through Canadian charity partner Nova Generation.
• Organized the first-ever Macedonia Symposium bringing government, opposition, academics, business community, and civil society to the table to discuss challenges facing Macedonian society.
• Spearheaded the first Macedonian Women’s Conference in Washington, D.C.
• Raised necessary funds for the 16^th Macedonian Summer Cultural Festival in Albania and the Youth Handball Team in Kicevo, Macedonia.
• Advocated before 80+ offices in U.S. Congress, and Embassies, international organizations based in Skopje.
• And much more, thanks to you!

None of our accomplishments in the past 19 years could have been possible without your support.

If you would like to see the continuity of our successes into the future for the Macedonian cause, there are several ways you can support our critical work right now.

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• If you donated recently, we cannot thank you enough! Please spread the word to your network and encourage them to support UMD.
• Donate directly to protect the Macedonian identity and fuel UMD's advocacy here.
• If you would like to invest in the future of UMD for years to come with a major or planned gift spread over a certain period to UMD or the UMD Endowment Fund, respond to this e-mail or click here to learn more.
• If you want to become a member or renew your membership for 2024, you can do so here. 

Our work is ongoing, but our objectives are shared and important to us all. United, we can respect and serve our cultural heritage and ensure that the next generation knows and understands that to be Macedonian is to speak proudly in one voice what we stand for and who we are.

Sincerely,

Aleksandar Mitreski

Co-Founder, Board Member, and Chair, UMD Advisory Council

Engage with us on our UMD social media platforms: