Jumping on the Bandwagon: Foundation Donations Pay Dividends
Posted 06/18/07
The Foundation, 100 percent donor supported, has enjoyed growing success in the area of fundraising. But, as the awareness of the industry’s place in the U.S. economy rises, so does the need for more and deeper research to help guide the way into taking advantage of the opportunities that are growing and changing with the industry’s trajectory.
The Foundation, with more new and pending projects than any time in its 18 year history, has set the bar even higher for donations this year.
“Donors are really participants in the Foundation’s projects. They are investors,” said Leichtling. “By giving, they are making the Foundation’s work possible, which is the only source of unbiased, intellectually honest analysis on this industry.”
The Foundation seeks to raise $500,000 from both individuals and corporations during this year’s Annual Giving Campaign. (Contributions are tax deductible as allowed under the IRS rules for 501 (c) 3 organizations.) Letters announcing the campaign to industry members were mailed just recently, but already the Foundation is seeing strong interest in supporting the organization and its mission.
“We are seeing a tremendous surge in interest,” said Lisa Levine, Foundation executive director. “With the industry and association awakening to its true footprint in the market and it being such a large part of the U.S. economy, both the usage of our research and the donations that make it possible has risen over the years.”
In addition to seeking ways to grow its research library, the Foundation also seeks to leverage the resources with stronger ties to other industry groups.
The ELFA board met with the Foundation executive committee during the association’s Capital Connections event earlier this month to discuss how to better leverage each other’s strengths. The Association, as the key representation for the industry, and the Foundation, with its eye on the future of the industry, have opportunities to collaborate on various projects, such as the market sizing study slated for delivery later this summer.
“Many people still believe that their ELFA dues help support the Foundation. But that’s not true,” said Levine. “We are separate organizations though we have always supported one another. But, we also recognize that greater cooperative efforts just make sense. We are talking about how to make that happen, all the while maintaining our identities.”
Sites of Reference:
http://www.leasefoundation.org/Donate
CONTACT:
Lisa A. Levine, CAE
Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation
Phone Number: 703-527-8655
Fax Number: 703-465-7488
E-mail: llevine@elfaonline.org
