A national professional association can benefit from establishing a separate body to fund activities of their chapters and members that fall within the organization’s mission. The tax benefits of a 501(c)(3) status encourage people to donate to the cause and it isn’t difficult to obtain. You will need a governing body to manage and administer your foundation, but that brings in members to fill that board and ties them more closely to the organization.
AWC Advancement Fund
AWC has formed a new 501(c)(3) foundation called the AWC Advancement Fund. The mission of the foundation goes back to the very heart of AWC in its quest to help support members’ and chapters’ continuing education efforts. The Advancement Fund board is made up of members who represent both independent members and those associated with a chapter and have some experience with the operations of foundations. The Secretary of the AWC National Board of Directors also serves as Secretary of the AWC Advancement Fund to ensure the connection between the two organizations remains strong.
Helping Members Fulfill Our Mission
AWC has always stood for the advancement of women in a wide range of communication disciplines. An important component of advancement is continuing education through individual opportunities and educational programming at the chapter level. The foundation’s goal is to get its grants and donations to a financial level where it can assist our chapters and members.
Another purpose is to help our chapters raise funds for their local scholarships and educational programming – by providing the 501(c)(3) tax advantage that many donors require.
How to Give to the AWC Advancement Fund
We are in the “giving season” and encourage our members to consider a donation to the AWC Advancement Fund. This will greatly help the Fund’s effort to begin a schedule of individual and chapter grant opportunities. It’s another way we can be members helping members.
The AWC Advancement Fund has a page on the AWC website. Donations can be made through the website for those wishing to donate via credit card. There is also a printable form that can be used if one wishes to donate by check. Please visit www.womcom.org/advfund. The new AWC App also includes an easy way to click and donate.
Having a 501(c)(3) foundation associated with AWC is one of those “right things to do” as we look at how we can serve our members. It is important for national associations like AWC to have a way to seek donations and grant proceeds. And it is important that AWC be among the national communications organizations that are building and sustaining a 501(c)(3) foundation.
About the Author
Pat Meads has been a member of AWC since 1976 – in Minneapolis, Kansas City, and now as an independent. Pat spent 39 years in Sales Promotion, Advertising, Marketing and Event Planning in Minneapolis and Kansas City. In 2001 she started her own business, Promotions On Call, Inc. – focusing on marketing, event planning and trade show management. Pat is now retired, but continues to use her skills with local charities. She has a BA in Journalism from the University of Minnesota and a Masters in Journalism/Integrated Marketing Communications from the University of Kansas. Pat is currently serving her second term as Treasurer for the National Board of Directors for AWC.
