1. CHAPTER FINANCES:
FUNDRAISING AND LEVERAGING PARTNERSHIPS
(OCTOBER 2010 NSBE ALUMNI VILLAGE CALL)
Dionne Gilmore, National Alumni Treasurer
Amilcar Aaron, National Alumni Finance Chairperson

2. Village Call Details
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National Society of
Black Engineers
Alumni
To increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the

3. 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.
National Society of
Black Engineers
Alumni
To increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the

4. Purpose of Today’s Meeting
We 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.
National Society of
Black Engineers
Alumni
To increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the

5. Agenda Topics and Focus Areas
Chapter Finance Fundamentals
Chapter Finance Strategy
Corporate Solicitations
Chapter Fundraising Ideas
Leveraging Partnerships
Best Practices
Grant Writing Basics
Q&A
National Society of
Black Engineers
Alumni
To increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the

6. Chapter Finance Fundamentals
◦ Tax Exemption
◦ NSBE GEN
◦ Chapter Budget
Discuss budget being the roadmap for
determining your overall finance strategy.
◦ Chapter Finance Leads
Chapter Treasurer (required to Charter)
Chapter Finance Chair
National Society of
Black Engineers
Alumni
To increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the

7. 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”
National Society of
Black Engineers
Alumni
To increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the

8. Advantages of being tax-exempt
Donations 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.
National Society of
Black Engineers
Alumni
To increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the

9. Becoming Tax-Exempt
Alumni 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.
National Society of
Black Engineers
Alumni
To increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the

10. 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.
National Society of
Black Engineers
Alumni
To increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the

11. Chapter Funding
How do Alumni Chapters
generate funds?
National Society of
Black Engineers
Alumni
To increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the

12. Chapter Finance Strategy
Corporate
Solicitation
Donations Grants
Chapter Chapter
Fundraising
Revenue Dues
National Society of
Black Engineers
Alumni
To increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the

13. 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.)
National Society of
Black Engineers
Alumni
To increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the

14. Chapter Donations
Individual
◦ 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.
National Society of
Black Engineers
Alumni
To increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the

15. Best Practices for
Successful Solicitations
◦ Quality Programming and Proven Track Record
Programming 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.
National Society of
Black Engineers
Alumni
To increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the

16. 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.
National Society of
Black Engineers
Alumni
To increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the

17. 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.
National Society of
Black Engineers
Alumni
To increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the

18. 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.
National Society of
Black Engineers
Alumni
To increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the

19. 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.
National Society of
Black Engineers
Alumni
To increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the

20. 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 Email
2. Phone Call (refer to introductory email)
3. Email & Phone Follow up (Discussions)
4. Confirmation of Partnership commitment
5. Thank you and Partnership feedback
National Society of
Black Engineers
Alumni
To increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the

21. 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.
National Society of
Black Engineers
Alumni
To increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the

22. Grants
Sources of Financial Assistance
◦ Federal & State Agencies
National Science Foundation (NSF)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Department of Education
Small Business Administration (SBA)
◦ Private Foundations (primarily funded by investment earnings)
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
Ford Foundation
W.K. Kellogg Foundation
◦ Corporate Grants
Wal-Mart Foundation, GE Foundation, ExxonMobil Foundation
Verizon Foundation, AT&T Foundation, BP Foundation
◦ Public Charities (primarily funded by public support)
United Way, Goodwill Industries, Boys & Girls Clubs
Habitat for Humanity, UNICEF
National Society of
Black Engineers
Alumni
To increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the

23. 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 events
Proven 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.
National Society of
Black Engineers
Alumni
To increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the

24. Resources for Grants
Guide 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
National Society of
Black Engineers
Alumni
To increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the

25. Leveraging Partnerships
Corporate Affinity Groups
◦ Establish communication with local corporate affinity
groups and employee networks.
Member Recruitment, Volunteer Support and Cross Promotions
Co-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.
National Society of
Black Engineers
Alumni
To increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the

26. 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, Community
Technology and Community Advocacy
National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA)
Collegiate Initiative and Graduate Student Programs
Career and Professional Development
Talent Recruitment
STEM Education National Society of
Black Engineers
Alumni
To increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the

27. Leveraging Partnerships (continued)
Minority Engineering Organizations
◦ Similar goals and focus on “supporting minority
engineers” in the following areas:
Career and Professional Development
Technical Training
Talent Recruitment
STEM Education Development
◦ Minority Engineering Organizations
American 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)
National Society of
Black Engineers
Alumni
To increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the

28. Share Chapter Success Stories
Any Chapters who would like to
share their fundraising
success stories?
National Society of
Black Engineers
Alumni
To increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the

29. Q&A
Any Questions???
Amilcar Aaron
National Alumni Finance Chair
finance@nsbe-ae.org
National Society of
Black Engineers
Alumni
To increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the