NAILBA Perspectives - May/June 2015 - (Page 16)

nailba charitable foundation An Education About Your Foundation T MICHAEL T. SMITH PRESIDENT, NAILBA CHARITABLE FOUNDATION 16 perspectives MAY/JUNE 2015 his issue of Perspectives is all about education. I think we may be overdue in reeducating you about the NAILBA Charitable Foundation. Established in 2002, the Foundation is the philanthropic arm of NAILBA. The mission is to encourage volunteerism among NAILBA members and to provide grant funds to worthy charitable organizations that serve to enhance the quality of life for those less fortunate, with a special emphasis on children. Over $2 million has been awarded to more than 140 organizations, touching many lives in a positive, sometimes lifesaving, way. There are several ways you can support, and be supported by, the Foundation. The easiest and often most self-rewarding is to sponsor a grant application. Grant applications are in the mail now. They are mailed to you, NAILBA members and corporate partners, because it is up to you to give it to the local charity that you support that can very likely use additional funding for a particular program. Don't delay that hand off-the deadline for grant applications is July 17 for this year's grant cycle. Is there a charity close to your heart-a program that helps kids in need? Perhaps it's a cancer center, shelter for victims of domestic abuse, or a summer camp for sick kids and their families. These types of charities are right in the wheelhouse of the Foundation's mission. You're not close to a charity? What about one of your brokers? Jointly, you can sponsor a grant application. Imagine the gratitude your broker would have if their charity was awarded $7,000, $10,000, or more. I have sponsored several charities that have been fortunate enough to have been awarded grants totaling more than $80,000. I spent a total of 5 minutes helping one of my charities complete the grant application. Many charities have grant writers who will beautifully complete the application. Your part is writing the endorsement letter that must accompany the grant application. All I needed to do was send them the application, and when they completed it, include my letter as their sponsor, and send it to the Foundation. I've had a harder time getting out of bed. The other way to support is to donate. There are a few ways to do this. First, of course, is cash. Our carrier partners have long stepped up and generously donated, to the tune of $123,000 last year alone. We have also seen our BGA/IMO members band together and donate via generous matching programs. Our matching program is ongoing now, through June 30. Check the website (www.nailbacharitablefoundation.org). Of course you can donate as an individual whatever amount is comfortable. Lastly, another great way to donate is to contribute an item or experience for the silent and live auctions held each November at the NAILBA Annual Meeting. What connections do you have for merchandise, services, or experiences that you can tap into? We've had vacation packages, red carpet events, sports tickets, jewelry, electronics, and even industry-related marketing programs included in the auctions. Anything you can do is much appreciated. We are extremely proud of the fact that all the items in previous auctions have been donated from the NAILBA community. This means that more of the funds raised benefit the Foundation and its mission, instead of partially paying a commission for an auction item. So now that you're back up to speed on the who and what the Foundation is, how are you willing to support the cause? With your help, we can make 2015 a record setter for donations and grant awards. Step up. Do it for the children. http://www.nailbacharitablefoundation.org http://www.nailbacharitablefoundation.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NAILBA Perspectives - May/June 2015

NAILBA Perspectives - May/June 2015
Contents
Chairman’s Corner
CEO Insights
Basic Staff Training: Onboarding Should be Longer than One Day
NAILBA Charitable Foundation
Member Profiles
Mooers Award Nominations
Get Schooled! Ongoing employee Education and Producer Training are Key to a Brokerage Agency’s Success
Agency Successor Networking Group
Life Happens
Reading Ahead
Government Affairs
Calendar of Events
Index of Advertisers

NAILBA Perspectives - May/June 2015