By Tom Kirch, NIRSA Foundation President
With the 2016 NIRSA Annual Conference & Recreational Sports Expo in Kissimmee, FL just around the corner, the NIRSA Foundation Board of Directors wants you to know just how magical your attendance will be! Your presence signifies the very heart of why NIRSA exists. And our theme this year, “A Strong Core, A Bright Future,” represents the Association’s commitment to helping students and professionals gain valuable skills in the collegiate recreation field.
What’s new with the NIRSA Foundation
For the past two years, the Foundation Board has been working with the Benefactor Group, a consulting firm, to review and analyze the NIRSA Foundation’s activity and mission. From this work, we’ve learned that we have a great capacity to grow and expand our efforts. In light of these findings, the Foundation is undertaking a major review of its strategies to enhance the contributions we make to the development of our members and to the field of collegiate recreation through the funding of scholarships, research efforts, and professional development opportunities.
Thanks to a generous investment by the NIRSA Board of Directors, the Foundation has hired its first Director of Philanthropy. Kate Sundstrom will work with us to increase our levels of giving, create and nurture new relationships, identify ways we can leverage our resources, and consequently grow the Foundation’s funds.
The Foundation Board is currently working on setting goals for the next several years. What we know at this time is that we would like to increase the number of scholarships we award, contribute more to important research initiatives, and enhance professional development opportunities for our members. Your participation makes all of this possible!
A strong Foundation equals a bright future
The NIRSA Foundation is excited about all the opportunities for our members to be engaged with the 2016 Annual Conference theme “A Strong Core, A Bright Future.” We hope you’ve already signed up to participate in one of our NIRSA 2016 activities! We’re looking forward to connecting with you on the prestigious Walt Disney Magnolia and Palm golf courses during the NIRSA Foundation Golf Tournament, and exploring the outside of the Gaylord Palms during the NIRSA Foundation Mark Fletcher Fun Run/Walk.
Members like you have stepped up in the past to make sure we reach our Annual Conference Campaign goal and we need your help again this year! This year’s Annual Conference Campaign goal is one-and-a-half times last year’s goal. Your continued generosity will help us build a stronger foundation and create brighter futures for the NIRSA family! Every gift matters!
We can set up a monthly giving plan for you which does away with the need to contribute one large lump sum. For example, you can donate $100/month to send a student to the 2017 Annual Conference or make a gift of $50/month to become a Foundation Leader. Professional members can also get their names on the Giving Board by making a one-time gift of a minimum of $120+ between now and the annual conference. Whether you choose to make a reoccurring donation or a one-time gift every gift matters!
The Student Leadership Team has partnered with the NIRSA Foundation this year and created the “Give-to-Get” student giving campaign. Student donors will be recognized for gifts of $25+ on the Giving Board. Their commitment to growing the NIRSA Foundation will also be recognized by a special ribbons. A gift of any amount will garner student members a campaign sticker. Be on the lookout for these students and be sure to thank them for investing in our “Bright Future.”
Support the future of campus recreation
We look forward to seeing you help us make magic in Kissimmee, FL from April 3–6! If you’re unable to attend this year’s conference, we encourage you to help us reach our goal by visiting the NIRSA website and making a thoughtful gift. Your contribution will count towards the Annual Campaign goal; you can donate to that goal now through the end of the 2016 Annual Conference.
Thank you for your continuous support of the NIRSA Foundation! Make sure to check the NIRSA website to learn more about NIRSA Foundation activities and events at NIRSA 2016.
For more information about how you can support the NIRSA Foundation’s Annual Giving Campaign, please contact NIRSA Director of Philanthropy Kate Sundstrom.
