Chapter Fundraising Group Effort, Individual Responsibility Matthew Nelson National Assistant Treasurer

Board Fundraising Responsibilities Marketing Chapter Activities Understanding Your Environment Brainstorming Session Overview

Who is responsible for chapter fundraising? –CEB? –Treasurer? –Finance Chair? Board Fundraising Responsibilities EVERYBODY

Only the Finance Chair should be making commitments on behalf of the chapter Board Fundraising Responsibilities “Is it okay if I put you in contact with our Finance Chair?”

What happens when you don’t follow this practice? Board Fundraising Responsibilities

Ways to avoid this situation –Disclosure: I worked for/know somebody who works for ___ Helps generate an initial point of contact for Finance Chair –Activity Tracker Helps board see the companies that the Finance Chair is engaging Board Fundraising Responsibilities

Every chapter’s dynamics are different –Size Small Medium Large –Level of chapter support from university Fully funded Some funding No support Understanding Your Environment

Every chapter’s dynamics are different –Fundraising rules Encouraged to connect with companies Not allowed to fundraise externally Understanding Your Environment

Every chapter’s dynamics are different –Fundraising rules Encouraged to connect with companies Not allowed to fundraise externally Understanding Your Environment

Marketing Chapter Activities

Business model can be a tough sell –Some companies cant pay for food –Hard to justify ROI for companies Marketing Chapter Activities

Lack of quality candidates Low attendance

How do we make money??? Marketing Chapter Activities Traditional fundraising & Creating value-added partnerships using both existing and new programming/events

Traditional Fundraising Examples –Bake sale –Car wash –Sponsored theme part trips –Work at sporting events –Department travel funding –Travel grants –Matching funds campaign –Appeal to family and friends Marketing Chapter Activities

Value Added Partnership Example –XYZ Technologies produces sensors and controls for the manufacturing and construction industries –Frequently recruit from your school –Limited involvement with NSBE Chapter –Considering inviting them to a General Body Meeting Marketing Chapter Activities

Value Added Partnership Example –Create a proposal for a report-writing competition Based on a new XYZ product offering Discusses potential applications in an untapped market Presents growth opportunities and a plan to penetrate the market Reports are presented at a GBM where XYZ gives a presentation Winner receives $500 and a priority interview Chapter receives $500 Marketing Chapter Activities

Value Added Partnership Example –XYZ Company Benefits Free market analysis Opportunity to informally interview participants Branding of the competition to public and shareholders Marketing Chapter Activities

Value Added Partnership Example –Chapter Benefits One less person to subsidize FRC and Convention travel Potential long-term relationship with customer Paid for the chicken wings! Marketing Chapter Activities

Three Keys for Value Added Partnerships –Look for ways to restructure current activities Think in terms of programmatic elements –Ask yourself “What value is the company getting for supporting this program/event?” –Think about creating relationships that last far after you leave the chapter Marketing Chapter Activities

Take 15 minutes to generate one restructured program/event idea with chapter board –5 minutes for deciding on idea –10 minutes for planning of idea Finance Zone – Value Proposition of idea Comm Zone – Marketing/branding of idea Membership Zone – How to ensure high attendance Admin Zone – How to fit idea into yearly schedule Programs Zone – Measuring success of idea Brainstorming Session

Questions? Matthew Nelson National Assistant Treasurer Special Projects