CAP Talk

General Discussion => Membership => Topic started by: Shotgun on March 05, 2013, 06:59:13 PM

Title: Business Membership Category.
Post by: Shotgun on March 05, 2013, 06:59:13 PM
Does anyone have any experience with companies supporting CAP as "Business Members".


Is that even still an option? It is mentioned in the Great Start Guide, but I can't find any reference in 39-2 or 173-4.


*Correction - I found a reference in 39-2*     

Title: Re: Business Membership Category.
Post by: a2capt on March 05, 2013, 07:36:07 PM
We've had this discussion recently as well, at our meetings.. other than mentioning it in the Great Start booklet,

Quote from: Great StartA business member is any U.S. corporation, partnership, proprietorship, or organization which applies for CAP membership in the name of the corporation, partnership, proprietorship or organization. This category of membership is designed for members of the business community who demonstrate a desire to financially support CAP's missions and programs.
http://www.capmembers.com/media/cms/Great_Start_Guide__lores__cropped_E4FAFED36450E.pdf

Has anyone utilized this as a way to get financial backing/support for your unit?
Title: Re: Business Membership Category.
Post by: Private Investigator on March 06, 2013, 10:42:38 AM
When I was a Squadron Commander we got several donations and usually they (donor) wanted a photo op so they get in the newspaper or at least a press release from us acknowledging them.

Since the economy has gone bad I am not sure if anyone is giving away money like they did to us right after 9/11. YMMV.
Title: Re: Business Membership Category.
Post by: jimmydeanno on March 13, 2013, 05:29:03 PM
Quote from: Private Investigator on March 06, 2013, 10:42:38 AM
When I was a Squadron Commander we got several donations and usually they (donor) wanted a photo op so they get in the newspaper or at least a press release from us acknowledging them.

Since the economy has gone bad I am not sure if anyone is giving away money like they did to us right after 9/11. YMMV.

There is still a TON of money floating around (Remember that the top 1% of Americans hold over 20 Trillion dollars of the nation's wealth).  If you can jump on the "STEM" gravy train, you'll find a lot of businesses lining up to help.  The key is providing them the community recognition to make it worth it.  I used to be treasurer for another non-profit chapter that would get hundreds of thousands of dollars in donation for scholarships and event support because we'd put an 8X10 sign on a table during a lunch (that they paid for), or a banner at a dinner.  It's hard to find businesses that are going to donate to a group of people that stays holed up in the basement of a church with little to no community involvement or public interaction. 

Sure, you might be able to get a hundred buck here, or a five hundred there, but if you can become a recognized name in the community, you can start bringing in the 10k, 25k, donations to support your stuff.