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Learn how to identify new sources of funding and sponsorship opportunities to ensure that your Fair is well-funded. Discover approaches that have worked for others and tackle the donor pyramid to maximize contributions from various sources.
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Intel International Science and Engineering Fair2019 Symposium Funding the Future of YOUR Fair! May 13, 2019
Presenters Bruce Makous Chief Advancement Officer Society for Science & the Public Kathleen Bethel CEO, Southern AZ Research, Science & Engineering Foundation (yeah, it’s a really old photo…)
Session Overview Workshop: Identify • new sources of funding • sponsorship opportunities • approaches that works Let’s make sure your Fair is funded!
Annual Revenues by Source Typical US Affiliated Fair Other (7%) Corporations (23%) Parent Nonprofit (17%) Individuals (14%) Fees (22%) Foundations (11%) Government (6%) Source: 2016 SSP survey of 259 US nonprofit affiliated fairs
Primary Sources of Contributed Revenue • Corporate Grants & Sponsorships • Individual Donors • Foundation Grants • Special Fundraising Events
Donor Pyramid Donors move from the lower to the higher tiers Grants, Top sponsors $10,000+ <1% donors Mid-level sponsors $500 to $9,999 9% donors Annual Giving, award donors $100 to $499 90% of donors Your engaged community: teachers, alumni, families, educational institutions, community partners, others
Tackling the Pyramid! Figure out what works… • Find the pulse of your Community • What’s worked in the past? • What hasn’t? • What works but takes too much effort?
Find your community’s sweet spot • What industry, company? • What team or event? • What do you have that others might not? • What’s a recurring problem in your town?
Pitch It Right…It’s NOT always about the Fair • Uniquely positive ask in a dark world • Fighting old perceptions - shift gears! • What’s our biggest problem? • Answer: Our kids are solving that! • Why should companies WANT to give? • Building the future work force • Your employees in 4-8 years • Data Speaks
Who Cares? (Or Should?) Start reading/watching • Companies (future workforce) • Foundations (good deeds) • Service groups/civic organizations • Individuals in the news (great PR) • Community Leaders (future leaders) • Parents (college applications, scholarships, resumes)
Start Small… Introductory drugs • Ask for a Special Award or Prize • In memory/honor of… • To recognize a corporate field/value • Ask for a Judge • For your Grand Awards • Or their own special prize • Ask for Volunteers • Ask for a small cash donation • TRY your first application (aka grant)
Dream Big • What problems could be solved? • What would our community be like if • all decisions were based on data • every conclusion was based on evidence?
What About YOU? What’s YOUR unique or personal strength? • Writing letters/articles? • Emailing? • Calling? • Texting? • Social Media? • Chatting in person? • Presenting? • Filling out applications for $ (aka grants) • Fundraisers/events • Finding free “stuff”, ad space, making flyers • Finding companies that might do a “match” Use THAT to be 100 x more effective!
Worksheet Time Individual and partner discussion What will work for YOU?