1. 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

2. 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…)

3. Session Overview Workshop: Identify new sources of funding
sponsorship opportunities
approaches that works
Let’s make sure your Fair is funded!

4. 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

5. Primary Sources of Contributed Revenue
Corporate Grants & Sponsorships
Individual Donors
Foundation Grants
Special Fundraising Events

6. 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

7. 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?

8. 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?

9. 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

10. 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)

11. 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)

12. 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?

13. What About YOU? Use THAT to be 100 x more effective!
What’s YOUR unique or personal strength?
Writing letters/articles?
ing?
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!

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