140 likes | 498 Views
2005 AGM Non-Profit Partners Meeting. Strategies for Seeking Corporate Support. Profile: Draper Laboratory. Non-profit, R&D lab in Cambridge Spun out of MIT in 1973 Develops tech/prototype systems for military & selected commercial sponsors
E N D
2005 AGM Non-Profit Partners Meeting Strategies for Seeking Corporate Support Kathleen Granchelli 9/16/05
Profile: Draper Laboratory • Non-profit, R&D lab in Cambridge • Spun out of MIT in 1973 • Develops tech/prototype systems for military & selected commercial sponsors • Expertise in guidance, navigation, and control technologies • Advanced tech ed part of mission AGM Presentation 2005
Draper’s Contributions & Outreach Programs • Formalized in 1984 • Contributions Budget DFY06 = $125K • Priorities: • educational programs in engineering, science, and technology • human services • Geographic focus: Cambridge AGM Presentation 2005
Other Cash Contributions • Annual UW campaign--$176K (2004) employee donations • Special matching gifts fund drives: 9/11 Campaign $55K Tsunami Relief $79K Katrina Relief $132K Selected support to non-profits for ads/luncheons AGM Presentation 2005
Value-added Support • Volunteer Bd. Memberships: non-profit and civic organizations Educational programs/events: schools, non-profits Corporate-sponsored programs: Keypal, UW Com. Care, teacher and student summer internships • Collaborations/Memberships KCG, Cambridge Funders, Cambridge Chamber CO, AGM • Inkind: Furniture + equipment donations Selected printing/xerography services Technical support AGM Presentation 2005
How To Reach Funders • Org’s website: contact info/guidelines • Brief introduction: phone call/e-mail • Note: contact could be Public Affairs, Community Relations, Human Resources, the giving program director, asst. to CEO AGM Presentation 2005
Suggested Approaches • Read + follow guidelines!! Make sure your request is strategically aligned with funder’s mission/giving history • Use common sense—e.g. don’t ask one tech/sw co. to support your purchase of another co’s product • Write clear, concise proposals • Be able to articulate to funders direct benefit of the gift—depending on the funders, this can span spectrum from stats on success of program to providing publicity & recognition • “Each pitch should be from the head and the heart”—why is this a good investment for the funders? AGM Presentation 2005
Suggested Approaches • Follow up if you don’t hear status on your request— “Be persistent but not annoying” • Utilize personal contacts—your board members, employees of the org., etc. for initial contacts and/or follow up • Update funders on developments/program during the year via newsletter, etc.; submit end-of-year report • Thank funders AGM Presentation 2005
So You’re Rejected… • Funders have limited resources and cannot fund all worthy proposals • Emerging industries do not have a lot of cash • Important to follow up why grant was denied • Learn, improve if flaw was made known, move on to other organizations/strategies AGM Presentation 2005
Other Tips • Ensure that your organization has a good reputation; financial accountability and transparency are critical • Strong board working with strong E.D. is key to success • Network, benchmark, find mentor(s) • Explore collaborations to support your work and increase visibility • Develop expertise in your field where you can be called upon to speak or comment upon subject • Assess whether a signature program would help • Carve out time for your own professional development—training in field, software applications, electronic communication; stay current on developments in field AGM Presentation 2005
Matching Gifts • AGM surveyed funders; showed avg. use 16.3% • Each org. has eligibility requirements for employees a/w/a grantees • Matching cash gifts; also matching cash to volunteer efforts • Gillette: Dollars for Doers-$250/employee vol. 40hrs./yr. • Timberland to launch similar program in ’05 • Harvard Pilgrim mini-grants program up to $500/org. • IBM matching volunteer + product donation/cash • MIT Community Service Fund • Millipore vol. service grants program to orgs. where employees vol. for yr, min. 8hrs/mo. • State Street cash matches up to $5K/yr. if in one of its focus areas AGM Presentation 2005
Volunteer Programs* • J. Jill Co. employees can vol. 1day/yr. • Genzyme Invests in Volunteer Efforts: employee-led and coordinated vol. teams + cash donation from $1-10K • IBM On Demand Community cash + technology donations via employee proposals • State Street 2 pd. release days/yr.; flextime for other vol. efforts (20% partic.); consult. prog. for nonprofits in partnership with BU • New Balance group service projects + personal vol. benefit (8 hrs.) • UW Community Care Day for UW-funded agencies • Blue Cross signature vol. prog.—Blue Crew—co.-wide service day • *Most information on matching gifts and volunteer programs taken from AGM surveys. AGM Presentation 2005