WATERFORD 2015 EAST HARTFORD 2015 HAYLEY (L), DIAGNOSED IN 2015; LYNNE (R) DIAGNOSED IN 2008 TOGETHER.WALK MS. WE RE STRONGER NINE SITES. ONE DESTINATION. A WORLD FREE OF MS. MADISON 2015 PARTNERSHIP PROPOSAL Local Title Sponsor
WE RE STRONGER TOGETHER OUR VISION Walk MS is the rallying point of the MS movement, a community coming together to raise funds and celebrate hope for the future. ABOUT WALK MS Through national efforts and our 50-state network of chapters, Walk MS provides an opportunity to connect people living with MS and those who care about them. This community event raises critical funds to support life-changing programs and cutting-edge research. Nearly 330,000 people come together nationwide to show the power of our connections. WHAT THAT MEANS When you participate in Walk MS, you give hope to the 2.3 million people living with MS worldwide. Dollars raised fuel critical MS research to stop the disease, restore function that has been lost and end MS forever. Fundraising dollars also support programs and services to help people affected by MS address the challenges resulting from the disease and move their lives forward. WALK MS: THE FACTS WALK MS RAISED NEARLY $50 MILLION IN 2015 TO SUPPORT MS THERE ARE NEARLY 550 WALKS ACROSS THE COUNTRY EACH YEAR AND HAS RAISED MORE THAN $920 MILLION SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1988 APPROXIMATELY 330,000 PEOPLE PARTICIPATE IN WALK MS EACH YEAR 2
WALK MS IN CONNECTICUT Walk MS is the Connecticut Chapter s largest event both in participation and dollars raised. In 2015, more than 10,000 participants raised $1.3 million for education, advocacy, research and local programs that enhance the quality of life for people with MS and their families. 4.16.16 Fairfield Jennings Beach 4.17.16 Cheshire Cheshire High School Simsbury Westminster School Waterford Camp Harkness West Hartford UConn West Hartford Campus 4.30.16 East Hartford Rentschler Field Stamford Cove Island Park 5.1.16 Litchfield Litchfield Green West Haven West Haven High School Due to construction at Hammonasset Beach, we are unable to host our Madison Walk MS site in 2016. WALK MS: THE FACTS 85% 92% OF PARTICIPANTS ARE ON FRIENDS & FAMILY OR CORPORATE TEAMS WALK BECAUSE OF A CONNECTION TO MS THERE ARE MORE THAN 680 CORPORATE TEAMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY 3
WE RE STRONGER TOGETHER CHESHIRE 2015 WHY BECOME A CORPORATE PARTNER? Partnering with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Connecticut Chapter, is not only a good community investment it is also a good business investment! Align yourself with a well-respected 501(c)(3) organization with a broad base of devoted consumers. Ninety-two percent of our constituents say they chose to support a company because of its involvement in our cause. Create awareness of your corporate identity and portray a positive image to your current stakeholders and a new audience of potential employees and customers. Provide a great opportunity for employee engagement, whether it is team-building in a group, a volunteer experience, or training for an event. Enhance your partnership with year-round promotional opportunities for your company and product. 4
2016 PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES SPONSOR WALK MS By sponsoring Walk MS, you can help us keep our expenses low so that more money raised can support our mission. In return, you will be prominently promoted throughout the state as an official partner. There are two ways you can sponsor Walk MS: Provide a cash donation to underwrite event expenses. Provide in-kind product, such as food, supplies, vehicles, or media time; or in-kind service, such as truck drivers, medical personnel, communications staff or graphic designers. FORM A WALK MS TEAM Teaming up is a fun, easy and cost-effective way to support a great cause while nurturing camaraderie among your co-workers, friends and family. Teams are made up of four or more members who fundraise for the event. You appoint a captain and pick a name we take care of the rest! Training and fundraising together foster stronger relationships, resulting in better teamwork and morale in the workplace. Contributing to a good cause and taking an active role in the community will instill company pride in your employees. Plus, training for and participating in Walk MS helps your employees get in shape and learn healthy habits, which translates to a more effective work force and health care savings. VOLUNTEER We are always looking for corporate groups who can give their time and talents to help us reach our goals. Whether it is volunteering a day in the office, providing professional pro-bono expertise, or taking the leadership of a rest stop at an event, we have a project that can work for any size group in a variety of locations and times. Several local companies also award grants to the National MS Society when associates volunteer before or during Walk MS events. WALK MS: THE FACTS 65% 75% 48% 65% HAVE A 75% OF 48% ARE HOUSEHOLD PARTICIPANTS ARE INCOME OF $50K+ FEMALE COLLEGE GRADUATES OR HIGHER 55
WE RE STRONGER TOGETHER CHESHIRE 2015 GREAT EXPOSURE: STATEWIDE OR LOCAL As a corporate partner, we will match you up with the program that provides the best demographic base for meeting your goals and objectives. Depending on the size and type of partnership, you may be promoted in the following ways: LOGO OR NAME PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED in all printed materials related to Walk MS. Materials may include brochures, invitations, postcards, banners, t-shirts, and more. POTENTIAL FOR ONLINE EXPOSURE, utilizing our website, e-communications, or social networking opportunities. On average, our website receives 4,300 or more hits per month. In addition, we distribute our e-news communication once a month to over 49,000 people, with a strong open rate. POTENTIAL FOR MEDIA EXPOSURE, either by partnering with one of our media sponsors, or by adding tags to your current ad buys. SHIRTS ADS BROCHURES POSTERS 6
STATEWIDE PARTNERSHIP RECOGNITION PARTNERSHIP LEVEL Title* Presenting Platinum Gold Silver Bronze $50,000 $25,000+ $10,000+ $5,000+ $2,500+ $1,000+ MEDIA & PROMOTION Press release highlighting company partnership sent to statewide media outlets (publication not guaranteed) Company ad in MS Connection 1/4 page 1/8 page Start/Finish Arch company banner center n n Company logo on 250 posters n n n n Company logo/name on 15,000 brochures (2/1 commitment) logo logo logo name name name Company listed on website w/ link w/ link w/ link n n n Logo on 2,500 t-shirts (2/1 commitment) n n n n n n Listed on 3,000 route cards n n n n n n Company logo on local n n n n n n Walk MS e-communications Complimentary Walk MS event t-shirts team up to 25 up to 20 up to 15 up to 10 up to 5 EVENT EXPOSURE NUMBER OF SITES Opportunity to speak with media (cannot be guaranteed) 9 9 6 4 3 2 n Speaking opportunity at event n n Display table and/or provide product/samples Opportunity to display banners (company provided) 18 x 24 coroplast sign along Walk MS route (double signage if company provides) n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n Opportunity to staff a rest stop n n n n n n POST EVENT EXPOSURE Company listed in MS Connection (May issue, ±7,000) Recognition in Wrap-up section of MS Connection (Nov. issue, ±7,000) n n n n n n n n n n n n TITLE SPONSOR 7
WE RE STRONGER TOGETHER LOCAL SITE PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES COURAGE SPONSOR - $500 - $999 Financial Commitment Media and Promotion Company logo with link back to company website on two local e-communications for one Walk MS site. Company logo on site-specific route card which is distributed to each participant. 24 x18 custom coroplast corrugated sign highlighting your company s name or website as a supporter, provided by the National MS Society and displayed along one Walk MS site route. Other option is for company to provide up to two signs to display along one Walk MS site route. Event Exposure Centrally located display table at the Start/Finish location with your banner, sign or other decorations. The National MS Society will provide one table and two chairs. Opportunity to provide product sample, coupons or other materials at one Walk MS site. Opportunity to staff a rest stop at one Walk MS site. Public address recognition throughout the day as a Courage Sponsor at one Walk MS site. Lunch, beverage and Walk MS t-shirt for two company representatives. HOPE SPONSOR - $250 Financial Commitment Company name with link back to company website on one local e-communication for one Walk MS site. Company name listed on site-specific route card which is distributed to each participant. 24 x18 custom coroplast corrugated sign highlighting your company s name or website as a supporter, provided by the National MS Society and displayed along one Walk MS site route. 8
WEST HARTFORD 2014 WE ARE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT MS NOW. ABOUT MS Multiple sclerosis, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system, interrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are moving us closer to a world free of MS. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with at least two to three times more women than men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 2.3 million people worldwide. ABOUT THE NATIONAL MS SOCIETY The Society mobilizes people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by MS. To fulfill this mission, the Society funds cutting-edge research, drives change through advocacy, facilitates professional education, collaborates with MS organizations around the world, and provides programs and services designed to help people with MS and their families move their lives. Through its home office and 50-state network of chapters, the Society devoted $150 million to programs and services that assisted more than one million people. To move us closer to a world free of MS in 2015, the Society also invested approximately $53 million to support more than 380 new and ongoing research projects around the world. The Society is dedicated to achieving a world free of MS. Join the Movement at nationalmssociety.org. 9
WE RE STRON GER TOGETHER SOCIETY CORPORATE PARTNERS AS A SUPPORTER OF THE NATIONAL MS SOCIETY, YOU ARE IN GOOD COMPANY. SOCIETY CORPORATE PARTNERS INCLUDE: 10
2016 PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT Company Name Contact Person Title Address City, State, Zip Phone ( ) E-mail Signature Please indicate your level of participation: TOTAL CONTRIBUTION Title Sponsor $50,000 (nine sites) $ TAKEN Presenting Sponsor $25,000+ (nine sites) $ Platinum Sponsor $10,000+ (six sites) $ Gold Sponsor $5,000+ (four sites) $ Silver Sponsor $2,500+ (three sites) $ Bronze Sponsor $1,000+ (two sites) $ Courage Sponsor $500+ (one site) $ Hope Sponsor $250+ (one site) $ Each participation level includes opportunities at specific sites (see the sponsorship list above). Please mark up to as many site locations as your level allows. Cheshire East Hartford Fairfield Litchfield Simsbury Stamford Waterford West Hartford West Haven Send this completed form and your check made payable to the National MS Society, 659 Tower Ave., First Floor, Hartford, CT 06112 MC Visa AMEX Discover Card # Exp. Date CVV Code Name on Card Address City State Zip Signature For more information call Eric Szafran at 860.913.2550, ext. 52543 fax: 860.761.2466, or e-mail: eric.szafran@nmss.org 11
WE RE STRONGER TOGETHER ADDITIONAL EVENTS Throughout the year, the National MS Society hosts a number of fundraising events and educational programs. A sampling is listed below. If you are interested in learning more about partnership opportunities for any of our events, please call 860.913.2550 or visit our website at ctfightsms.org. Team Finish MS Runners take note! The Ion Bank Cheshire Half Marathon & 5K has partnered with the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter, to help raise funds to finish MS. Participants who register as runners for the National MS Society will receive free registration once they reach the $250 fundraising minimum. Cheshire High School, Cheshire, Conn. April 24, 2016 Golf MS Golfers have the chance to support the National MS Society s vision of a world free of MS while getting the opportunity to play at the private South Course at Lake of Isles, named No. 1 Best Places to Play in Connecticut by Golfweek. Lake of Isles, North Stonington, Conn. May 16, 2016 2016 Bike MS Praxair Ride Bike MS offers a special combination of great roads, beautiful scenery, outstanding people and a great cause. The challenge and camaraderie created by Bike MS makes it the teambuilding event of choice for corporations and organizations. Windsor June 5, 2016 Norwalk June 12, 2016 12 Contact: Eric Szafran National MS Society Connecticut Chapter 860.913.2550, ext. 52543 eric.szafran@nmss.org