The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About07. CMSSLC - Contribution Categories AGENDA MEMO DATE:January 25, 2011 TO:Mayor and Members of the City Council FROM:Office of the City Manager By: Scott K. Pomrehn, Executive Director SUBJECT: Columbia Memorial Space Science Learning Center Establishment of Contribution Categories and Participation Levels RECOMMENDATION That the City Council approve the charitable contribution program as proposed in detail in the following report, but generally described as “Scholarship”, “Sponsorship”, and “Donation” categories with each category receiving similar recognition and benefits based on varying levels of participation. BACKGROUND The Columbia Memorial Space Science Learning Center has received two monetary contributions since opening in October 2009. The first contribution was received in May 2010 in the amount of $100,000 from the Downey Kiwanis Foundation and Downey Los Amigos Kiwanis. This contribution, originally pledged in 2006, was for sponsorship of the Columbia Memorial Mosaic Exhibit located in the lobby of the center. The second monetary contribution was received in January 2011 in the amount of $15,000 from the Mary R. Stauffer Foundation. This contribution was specifically designated to th establish a scholarship program to give local 5 grade students in the Downey Unified School District the opportunity to experience the Challenger Center for Space Science Education’s “Return to the Moon” simulated space mission. DISCUSSION Monetary contributions to the center have the potential and in fact are anticipated to fund many of the costs associated with operating, maintaining, and upgrading the center over time. For this reason, staff is proposing a program to not only distinguish between the types of monetary contribution, but also to outline the benefits and recognition for the varying amounts of each contribution. This program is intended to apply to both contributions made directly to the City of Downey, as the owner/operator of the center, as well as, the Columbia Memorial Space Science Learning Center Foundation, the 501(c)(3) fundraising arm of the center. The proposed program includes three different contribution categories. These include “Scholarship”, “Sponsorship”, and “Donation” contribution categories. As described above, the Mary R. Stauffer Foundation established the center’s first scholarship program with a monetary contribution of $15,000. Scholarship contributions are intended to offset costs and/or pay standard fees associated with specific programs, activities, or events. In the th case of the Stauffer Foundation, the $15,000 will be drawn down as each of the 5 grade class visits the Challenger Center. The scholarship will remain active until the funds have been depleted. CITY OF DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA CMSSLC – Establishment of Contribution Categories and Participation Levels January 25, 2011 Page 2 of 4 The next category is the “Sponsorship” category. The sponsorship category is intended to offset costs associated with a specific exhibit, room, or exterior area surrounding the center. The $100,000 contribution by the Downey Kiwanis Foundation and Downey Los Amigos Kiwanis was a specific sponsorship contribution for the Columbia Memorial Mosaic Exhibit. Sponsorships are intended to remain in effect for the life of the exhibit. In the case of the mosaic, the sponsorship will likely continue indefinitely. Lastly, is the “Donation” category. The donation category includes all contributions not otherwise classified as scholarship or sponsorship. These contributions are anticipated to be smaller amounts, but the overall total could be significant in any given year. As these funds grow from year to year, new exhibits and or programs could be established. The allocation of these non-specified donations will occur each year as part of the operating budget process. Likewise both scholarship and sponsorship contributions will be included in the annual budget process. The table below outlines the recognition and benefits an organization would receive for varying contribution levels within each of the three categories. Scholarships Level 5 Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1 $999,999$499,999 $99,999 $9,999 1,000,000+ $500,000$100,000 $10,000 $5,000 Fixed Recognition Donor Wall XXXXX Local Area / Room XXXX T-ShirtsXXX JacketsXX Media Recognition Press Releases XXXXX Donor Lists (newsletter, web, ads) XXXX Opening of Events / Programs XXX Event Recognition Graduation/Awards Dinner (# per yr) 21 Benefits Governing Board Meetings (# per yr) 6421 CMSSLC – Establishment of Contribution Categories and Participation Levels January 25, 2011 Page 3 of 4 Sponsorships Level 5 Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1 $999,999$499,999 $99,999 $9,999 1,000,000+ $500,000$100,000 $10,000 $5,000 Fixed Recognition Donor Wall XXXXX Local Exhibit XXXX Media Recognition Press Releases XXXX Donor Lists (newsletter, web, ads) XXXX Opening of Events / Programs XXX Logo on Programs / Flyers XX Logo on brochuresX Event Recognition Exhibit Unveiling / Ribbon Cutting XXXX Benefits Governing Board Meetings (# per yr) 6421 General Group Meetings (# per yr) 221 Entry Passes (# per yr) 1,00050025010025 20% Corporate Membership Discount XX Corporate Day X Donations Level 5 Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1 $999,999$499,999 $99,999 $9,999 1,000,000+ $500,000$100,000 $10,000 $50 Fixed Recognition Donor Wall XXXXX Media Recognition Press Releases XXXX Donor Lists (newsletter, web, ads) XXXX Opening of Events / Programs XXX Logo on Programs / Flyers XX Logo on brochuresX Benefits Entry Passes (# per yr) 1,000500250100 20% Corporate Membership Discount XX Corporate Day X CMSSLC – Establishment of Contribution Categories and Participation Levels January 25, 2011 Page 4 of 4 FISCAL IMPACT The establishment of a monetary contribution program will increase revenue for the operation, maintenance, and upgrade of the Columbia Memorial Space Science Learning Center.