Chapter Fund-raising and Scholarship Funds & Endowments

1. Chapter Fund-raising and Scholarship Funds & Endowments Techniques to Maintain Chapter Health Fund-raising for Success, Sponsorships and Scholarships! Quick Start for Chapter Leaders PRSA Sunshine District September 16, 2006 Janet Oppenheimer, APR and Bob Ross, APR,PRSA Fellow

2. Conduct an Audit and Analyze Chapter ActivitiesAre they producing the type of positive chapter financial health you are seeking? • Membership—are current dues providing a positive effect on the chapter operating budget? • Monthly Programs- are they making or losing money? • Professional Development – are you doing it? Are PR Days budgeted to bring in income? • Contributions- are members thinking about contributing to PRSA?

3. If Analysis shows the chapter is operating in the loss column you have options • Every program can be set up to make money • Sponsorships • Sell advertising • Honor someone at an event • Awards program • Look at savings when possible- Can we barter or trade services?

4. SPONSORSHIPS AND ADVERTISING • Set a Goal: To generate __ amount of working capital to cover administrative costs, subsidize member events, provide increased member value • Who to Target: • Most likely candidates are • Affinity groups and vendors of PR Services • Media • Corporations who have involvement in PRSA through employees • Universities – affinity to PRSA due to a PR or affiliated degree program, PRSSA, PRSA members

5. ADVERTISING • Member Directory • Website • Newsletter • EXAMPLE • Full page directory $200, ½ page $100, Business card • Newsletter (electronic or website) – Sell a listing, cube or defined space for $200 a year or by month

6. SPONSORSHIPS • Can be for a one-time Program offering as a Professional Development Day or an Annual Chapter-wide sponsorship • EXAMPLE PROGRAM SPONSORSHIP • “Program Sponsor” • $200 receive 3 minute mike time, signage, logo on notice and banner/table with materials . For a large PD Development Day, multiple sponsors may be sought. • An Annual Sponsorship • “Friend of the Chapter” Status Establish a price • Clearly outline the benefits

7. EXAMPLE CHAPTER SPONSORSHIP • $500 Friend Status • ½ page ad in directory • Logo on Web site with link, if appropriate • Name of company on the President’s electronic messages • Name on all chapter notices and meeting reminders • Sponsor one meeting a year and receive a 3 minute presentation about the organization minute • Company banner may be placed at the meeting • Sponsor poster will be developed and placed at every meeting and PRSA event

8. What You Will Need in a Chapter Sponsorship Package • Provide a “Rate Sheet” or “Sponsor Sheet” with price/benefits • Clear specifications to ad sizes • Instruction about needing jpegs of logos or ads or other information • Who does this material need to go to , in what format and by when • Put in any disclaimers needed i.e.: • “The __ chapter of PRSA reserves the right to refuse any advertisement for any publications or webs site.” • “The ___chapter of PRSA does not endorse the products or services of our sponsors or advertisers.”

9. Sponsorship Package components con’t • Provide a form whereby they agree to said arrangement i.e.: ad; program sponsorship or annual sponsorship and the conditions and have a signature line. Provide an invoice and date due. Decide if payment schedules to the chapter treasurer are acceptable. Accept credit cards or not? • Send a confirmation that the company information and agreement was received • Send a thank you letter from the chapter president for the sponsorship

10. Back to the Chapter Audit • If you find that your chapter has a healthy financial picture • Discussions may be happening regarding balances much larger than needed for normal operating funds • A successful PD Day or District conference may find the chapter with a sudden higher balance with no future expenses to compensate for it • Discussions may be happening regarding interest in the chapter to give back to the community or to help others aspiring to be in the public relations field

11. Scholarship and Endowment Funds • Formal, legal process of opening an Endowment or Scholarship Fund • Do it yourself—legal process, annual reporting; someone who knows how to best invest the chapter’s money • Utilize the services of a local Community Foundation • Legal document- criteria must be set and to changed, it requires an attorney • Process to award the scholarships • A way to involve senior practitioners! • Forms or on-line process • Marketing plan needed within the chapter, university leader or community • Fund-raising is the key to grow the fund

12. HOW TO START A PRSA CHAPTER ENDOWMENT FUND Bob Ross, APR, Fellow PRSA Financial Management Chair Ev Clay/PRSA Miami Chapter Endowment Fund Inc.

13. Where to begin • Find a leader • Build credibility at the outset • Approach the board • Involve chapter members

14. Determine your goals. • Develop your plan • Create a governance structure • Consider applying for tax-exempt status • Set up an awards process

15. Develop an investment strategy • Special opportunities • An alternative if self-administration is too burdensome • PRSA Miami Chapter website at www.prsamiami.org.

16. RESOURCESChapter Fund-raising, Sponsorships, Scholarships & Endowments • Cedric Bess • Chapter/District Relationship Coordinator PRSA 33 Maiden Lane, 11th Fl. • New York, NY 10038-5150 Phone: 212-460-1495 • Cedric.bess@prsa.org • Your Chapter’s Sunshine District Representative • President, President –Elect or Assembly Delegate • Sunshine District Chair • Wendy Kurtz ,APR,CPRC • 407.814.7735 • email: wkurtz@elizabethcharles.com • Bob Ross, APR, PRSA Fellow • 305.666.0012 • bobrosspr@cs.com • Janet Oppenheimer, APR • 561-852-3253;561.212.9052 • e-mail: janet@joprstrategy.com