Director of Development's Report (October 17, 1995 attachment) Information Item Donor Recognition Program and creation of "Gold Key Circle" ----------------------------------------------------------- The 1995 Development Plan approved by the Board calls for the creation of a recognition category to honour key partners, patrons and others (under the the working title "honorary council"). In the context of revamping NCF's donor recognition categories, the Development Committee will proceed with the introduction of such an honourary group under the name "Gold Key Circle". At present, NCF has several levels for participation by corporate donors/sponsors and individuals as summarized below. I'd like to thank Doug Milne (am319) of our Development Committee for his work defining the corporate supporter/patron categories and beating the bushes for sponsors. The addition of a "Gold Key Circle" will provide an extra incentive for larger donations. To begin with, corporations in the Key Partner categories will be offered Gold Key Circle status for their "CEOs". Circle membership will then be offered to individuals who donate $5,000 and to the CEOs of corporations who support NCF in the "Corporate Patron" category. The guidelines for awarding "Gold Key Circle" recognition are intended to be clear but not rigid. Essentially, the Gold Key Circle brings with it all the incentives and benefits of other donor categories PLUS a token "gold key" presented at a special Gold Key Circle reception (held annually); plus a "patron day salute" on FreeNet with periodic recognition of Gold Key Circle members on the login screen; plus a listing of Gold Key Circle members on NCF letterhead, news releases and other publications. To launch the Gold Key Circle, FreeNet's "Key Partners" will be presented with Circle membership for their CEOs at a reception in early December. The reception, tentatively scheduled for Thursday, December 7th, will be co-ordinated by Rebecca Last (as006) and will be a major event to celebrate NCF's "coming of age" including the milestone of reaching the 50,000-member mark. Rebecca Last has also agreed to chair the 1996 drive to add more Gold Key Circle members with a target of 10 new members. Corporate Donors ---------------- FreeNet Connection Sponsor ($700 annually) - login screen message plus funding area listing - invitations to attend FreeNet news conferences and events FreeNet ShowCase Sponsor ($800 annually) - login screen message with "go showcase" notation plus ShowCase display page in funding area - invitations to attend FreeNet news conferences and events Corporate Supporter $2,000 annually - login screen message (similar to "connection sponsor" message) - inclusion on special list of Corporate Supporters in the funding area - special page in funding area for display of corporate information - invitations to attend FreeNet news conferences and events Corporate Patron $5,000 annually - similar to above plus: - news release announcing support - "patron day salute" on FreeNet - corporate name appears near NCF logo on login screen with instructions to visit the funding area to read corporate message (runs for one week). - CEO's personal message to be highlighted on NCF - one week, any subject - acknowledgement in NCF publications - membership for CEO in FreeNet's "Gold Key Circle" Key Partner (negotiable, implies a long-term commitment) - similar to above - permanent recognition on login screen - pointer from NCF homepage to Key Partner's web site - news conference and reception announcing donation - membership for CEO in FreeNet's "Gold Key Circle" Individual Donors ----------------- NCF currently has five categories for individual supporters. The Development Committee began a re-examination of these categories at its September meeting - the names of the donor levels will be changed and the incentives or benefits attached to each level will be formalized in October 1995. Note that the proposed incentive of a "Personalized ID" at the $100 and above level is subject to policy approval by the Board of Directors. Here is a working draft of the existing categories plus the new "Gold Key Circle" category -- * FreeNet Friends ("Surfers") up to $25 - acknowledgement letter via e-mail; name listed in funding area * FreeNet Fans ("Hackers") $26 or more - as above, plus an e-mailed ascii rose and a chance to win a bound copy of the Survival Guide * FreeNet Boosters ("Programmers") $51 or more - all the above, plus personal invitation via e-mail to attend NCF events * FreeNet Patrons ("Gurus") $100 or more - all the above, plus invitation (for 2) to a special reception and eligibility for a "Personalized ID" (PID program subject to prior approval by NCF's Board of Directors) * FreeNet Benefactors (tba) $250 or more - all the above, plus eligibility for "adopt-a-modem" recognition on login screen * Gold Key Circle $5,000 or more - all the above plus -- - a token "gold key" presented at a special Gold Key Circle reception (held annually) - "patron day salute" on FreeNet - periodic recognition of Gold Key Circle members on login screen - listing of Gold Key Circle members on NCF letterhead, news releases and other publications Our Community. Our FreeNet. Working together. "go funding" / "go helpers" Gordon Pearson (au167), Director of Development, National Capital FreeNet