nsbe chapter fundraising & leveraging partnerships (oct. 2010 alumni village call)

CHAPTER FINANCES:

FUNDRAISING AND LEVERAGING PARTNERSHIPS

(OCTOBER 2010 NSBE ALUMNI VILLAGE CALL)

Dionne Gilmore, National Alumni TreasurerAmilcar Aaron, National Alumni Finance Chairperson

To increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the it

National Society of Black Engineers

Alumni

Village Call DetailsWebEx Online Meetinghttps://nsbe.webex.com/nsbeMeeting Number: 689 399 091Meeting Password: 102010callEnter Your Name and Email AddressClick “Join”

Join Conference Call for Audio:

Dial-in Number: (712) 432-1100Participant Access Code: 980932

https://nsbe.webex.com/nsbe



Alumni

Before we get started…Please Mute your phones during the call to eliminate background noise.◦ Dial * 4 or Use Your Phone’s function

We welcome all questions related to the topics being covered today.

We encourage “offline” discussions and follow up actions.



Alumni

Purpose of Today’s MeetingWe recognize and understand that successful chapter finances positively impact the Regional and National financial operation of NSBE.

The goal today is to provide information and discuss best practices with in order to empower your local chapter efforts.



Alumni

Agenda Topics and Focus Areas

Chapter Finance FundamentalsChapter Finance StrategyCorporate SolicitationsChapter Fundraising IdeasLeveraging PartnershipsBest Practices Grant Writing BasicsQ&A



Alumni

Chapter Finance Fundamentals

◦ Tax Exemption◦ NSBE GEN◦ Chapter Budget

Discuss budget being the roadmap for determining your overall finance strategy.

◦ Chapter Finance LeadsChapter Treasurer (required to Charter)Chapter Finance Chair



Alumni

How can an organization become tax-exempt?

An organization such as NSBE may qualify for exemption from FEDERAL income tax if it is organized and operated exclusively for one or more of the following purposes:◦ Charitable, Religious, Educational,

Scientific, Literary, Testing for Public Safety, Prevention of cruelty to children and animals or fostering national or international amateur sports competition◦ Additionally, the organization must be a

corporation, community chest, fund or foundation.

In NSBE’s Article of Corporation (1976), the organization is described in Article Two as a “non-profit corporation”



Alumni

Advantages of being tax-exemptDonations to tax-exempt organizations such as NSBE are deductible as charitable contributions on the donors Federal Income Tax return.Whether we like it or not, many contributions are given solely for deductions on income taxes and many companies and foundations only donate to tax-exempt organizations.If the donor receives something of value in return for the contribution, part or all the contribution may not be deductible. The deductible amount should be determined by the organization prior to the event. For example, if tickets are being sold for a fashion show and the proceeds are going towards a scholarship fund, the contributor can not claim the portion of the ticket price that pays for the dinner served at the show. Other examples are concerts, banquets, charity balls, and athletic events.



Alumni

Becoming Tax-ExemptAlumni Chapters may choose to file under NSBE’s General Exemption Program or pursue individual chapter tax-exempt status

The required annual reporting to the IRS (Form 990) will be done by NSBE versus the individual chapter. However, chapters (both Collegiate and Alumni) have the option to pursue the tax exemption individually if so desired.



Alumni

Chapter Budget

◦ Creating a Chapter Budget which outlines the projected revenue and expenses for the year allows your Chapter Finance Leads to establish accurate fundraising goals.◦ Be reasonable in your Revenue

projections.



Alumni

Chapter Funding

How do Alumni Chapters generate funds?



Alumni

Chapter Finance Strategy

Chapter RevenueFundraising

Donations

Corporate Solicitation

Grants

Chapter Dues



Alumni

Chapter Fundraising Ideas◦ Sponsored Meetings w/ guest speakers◦ Host a professional networking mixer◦ Professional Workshop or Seminar.◦ Industry Symposium or Mini-

Conference.◦ Membership Drive or Social◦ Scholarship Banquet◦ Entertainment events◦ Sell NSBE Chapter branded products

(e.g. cups, pens, shirts, keychains, etc.)



Alumni

Chapter DonationsIndividual◦ Chapter members◦ NSBE members across your region◦ NSBE members across the world◦ Local Community Members (city, region, state)◦ General Public (nationwide and worldwide)

Corporate/Group◦ Employee Donations (some Companies will match

donations) ◦ In-Kind Donations of products and services.



Alumni

Best Practices for Successful Solicitations

◦ Quality Programming and Proven Track RecordProgramming focused on Career Development, Technical Training, Professional Development, Networking, Pre-College Youth Development, etc.Industry forums, symposiums, and conferences with credentialed keynote speakers and presenters.

◦ Effective planning and marketing of Chapter Programming.

◦ Develop and Nurture Relationships with professionals from local industry, professional organizations and government.

◦ Professional quality solicitation materials are essential.



Alumni

Best Practices for Successful Solicitations

◦ Annual Chapter Event Calendar provides potential sponsors opportunity to plan for long term support.◦ Maximize Sponsor Return on

Investment (ROI) by allocating support for programs and not operating expenses.



Alumni

Return On Investment (ROI)◦ Sponsor Return on Investment (ROI)

Travel, Accommodations, and Meals are the least appealing and most difficult items to have sponsored.Focus on obtaining sponsorship to provide direct support to chapter programs, events, services, products and the reinforcement of the NSBE mission.Sponsor Benefits and Chapter Deliverables must be clearly defined so that relationship is a “Win-Win” for all parties.



Alumni

Chapter Solicitation Packet

Create a Chapter Solicitation Packet to include:◦ General NSBE History and About NSBE◦ General Chapter History and Current E-Board◦ Chapter Programming for the year◦ Listing of any current corporate partners◦ Highlight previous year’s accomplishments◦ Provide Partnership Levels with varying costs and

associated benefits (e.g. Gold, Silver, Bronze, etc.)◦ Short Descriptions of Major Events and Programs◦ Nice layout with appropriate photos that capture

essence of programs and events.



Alumni

Chapter Solicitation Packet (continued)

◦ Be realistic when preparing your Partnership Levels and associated costs should be relevant to your Chapter Budget projections.◦ All stated Partnership Benefits are

considered “Deliverables” for your Chapter and they must be attainable.

“Under Promise & Over Deliver”

◦ Be Creative with your benefits.◦ Bundle your programs and events.



Alumni

Solicitation Plan◦ Create a Target Company List

Research and compile email/phone contact info for HR Recruiters, Diversity Leads, Community Relations, and Corporate Executives.Rank companies by relevance to NSBE mission.

◦ Solicitation Timeline (steps 1-5)1. Introductory Email2. Phone Call (refer to introductory email)3. Email & Phone Follow up (Discussions)4. Confirmation of Partnership commitment5. Thank you and Partnership feedback



Alumni

Why Provide Sponsorship?◦ Promote Corporate goodwill amongst

employees, sponsored organization’s members and community.

◦ Enhance Company Image and Reputation

◦ Direct access to talented professionals, community and corporate leaders.

◦ Reinforce affiliation and support of charitable causes and good corporate responsibility.

◦ Positive Public Affairs and Customer Awareness.



Alumni

GrantsSources of Financial Assistance◦ Federal & State Agencies

National Science Foundation (NSF)National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)Department of EducationSmall Business Administration (SBA)

◦ Private Foundations (primarily funded by investment earnings)Bill & Melinda Gates FoundationWilliam and Flora Hewlett FoundationFord FoundationW.K. Kellogg Foundation

◦ Corporate GrantsWal-Mart Foundation, GE Foundation, ExxonMobil FoundationVerizon Foundation, AT&T Foundation, BP Foundation

◦ Public Charities (primarily funded by public support)United Way, Goodwill Industries, Boys & Girls ClubsHabitat for Humanity, UNICEF



Alumni

Best Practices for Pursuing Grants

Research and Planning◦ Compile listing of Grant Awarding entities with areas of

support that are most relevant to NSBE mission.Education, Youth, Technology, STEM, etc.

◦ Pursue support for Established programs and eventsProven track record with metrics to support claims of positive program impact. (“i.e. 40% increase in Math SAT scores)Grant Submission must align to target support areas.

Execution◦ Identify an experienced grant writer or member with

excellent writing skills.◦ Prepare accurate and realistic program/event budget.◦ Make sure to capture photos, comments, any

press/media, and other positive feedback to include in your report back to grant awarding entity.



Alumni

Resources for GrantsGuide Star - www.guidestar.org

Charity Navigator – www.charitynavigator.org

Foundation Center – www.foundationcenter.org

Idealist – www.idealist.org

Fundsnet Services – www.fundsnetservices.com

National Center for Charitable Statistics (NCCS)

www.nccs.urban.org



Alumni

Leveraging PartnershipsCorporate Affinity Groups◦ Establish communication with local corporate affinity

groups and employee networks.Member Recruitment, Volunteer Support and Cross PromotionsCo-Plan and Co-Host events, meetings, and mini-conferences.Increased participation from local city and community.Expand Chapter messaging to various local corporate offices.

Local Government◦ All Elected and Government Officials have interest and

ability to co-sponsor, host, or provide support to chapter. (i.e. constituent services, etc.)

Host Townhall or Roundtable focused on issue of great impact and importance to community.

STEM Education in Public Schools, Gulf Spill and Restoration, Digital Divide, etc.

Invite them to participate as keynote speakers, panelists, and presenters.



Alumni

Leveraging Partnerships (continued)

Foster collaborative programming and cross promotions of respective activities.Professional Community Organizations◦ Similar goals and focus on “positively impacting

Black community.”National Urban League (NUL)

STEM Education, Digital Divide, Economic Empowerment, Small Business Development, Talent Recruitment and Career and Professional Development.

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO)STEM Education, CommunityTechnology and Community Advocacy

National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA)Collegiate Initiative and Graduate Student ProgramsCareer and Professional DevelopmentTalent RecruitmentSTEM Education



Alumni

Leveraging Partnerships (continued)

Minority Engineering Organizations◦ Similar goals and focus on “supporting minority

engineers” in the following areas:Career and Professional DevelopmentTechnical TrainingTalent RecruitmentSTEM Education Development

◦ Minority Engineering OrganizationsAmerican Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)National GEM Consortium (GEM)National Association of Multicultural Engineering Program Advocates (NAMEPA).National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA)National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)Society of Women Engineers (SWE)Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)



Alumni

Share Chapter Success Stories

Any Chapters who would like to share their fundraising

success stories?



Alumni

Q & A

Any Questions???

Amilcar AaronNational Alumni Finance Chair

[email protected]

nsbe chapter fundraising & leveraging partnerships (oct. 2010 alumni village call)

Economy & Finance