YOUR Fair! Funding the Future of May 13, 2019 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair 2019 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? Use THAT to be 100 x more effective! 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!

Individual and partner discussion What will work for YOU? Worksheet Time Individual and partner discussion What will work for YOU?