Fundraising Initiative for Fleet Education Hits $26,000 in Just 10 Days
The NAFA Foundation, a not-for-profit charitable organization formed in 1976 to support the vehicle fleet industry, reached a milestone by raising more than $26,000 in just 10 days – headlined by Element Fleet Management’s $15,000 kick-off pledge.
The NAFA Foundation launched its capital campaign on April 24, 2018, at NAFA Fleet Management Association’s (NAFA) annual Institute & Expo. Element announced its pledge that day, providing significant momentum to the campaign.
“We are inspired by what the NAFA Foundation is going to focus on in 2018,” said Mary Sticha, CAFM®, Senior Vice President of Operational Excellence for Element. “We are particularly interested in the mobility study it has committed to. We feel this is something Element must invest in as it’s a critical component to the future of our industry.”
In addition to Element, several other fleet organizations – including Merchants Fleet Management, Altec, and Lyft – made gifts to the Foundation, as well as many individual donors through an at-event text-to-donate program.
“As the fleet industry makes a rapid transformation into the ‘mobility’ industry, the NAFA Foundation is providing fleet professionals with the building blocks to transform their units, teams, and personal careers to a mobility orientation,” said Phillip E. Russo, CAE, CEO of the NAFA Foundation. “We see a significant need to arm every fleet professional with tools to help them clearly demonstrate their contributions and value to their senior leadership. The industry is enthusiastically embracing these Foundation initiatives.”
The NAFA Foundation will use these funds, plus future support, to engage in multiple efforts to increase the knowledge base of the feet industry, guide professionals through the significant changes impacting the industry, and fund research to advance fleet professionals’ growth.
Among the near-term initiatives of the NAFA Foundation are:
- Commissioning an “issue definition paper” that will offer guidance on how fleet and procurement teams can form a productive partnership that fosters better fleet performance. This paper will be available in May.
- Teaming up with international mobility expert Lukas Neckermann to develop an in-depth white paper that will include immediate steps for fleet managers to take to embrace mobility options
- Presenting a webinar about the Neckermann mobility paper in early Fall 2018, followed by an in-person workshop on the subject next Spring
Although the campaign kick-off was notable in its success, the NAFA Foundation continues to seek gifts and donations throughout the fleet industry. Contributions to the NAFA Foundation are tax-deductible under IRS guidelines. To donate, visit this link.
