The following proposal has been prepared by the African Student Association (AFSA) at Utah State University (USU). This proposal includes information about AFSA current needs and solutions that include receiving support from Zions Bank. Also included are several AFSA goals which will allocate any support received to appropriate uses.
Executive Summary
We the African Student Association (AFSA) at Utah State University (USU) exist to promote African culture on the USU campus and in the surrounding community. Due to current needs we propose that Zions Bank, a leader in business and community enrichment, contribute $2,500 to AFSA. The contribution will help finance the annual African Banquet held on USU's campus each year and other club activities which enable us to share many aspects of African culture with a large, and diverse group of people in the Logan area.
Sponsor Appeal
Zions Bank has been a community leader in Logan for many years. Because many Zion's branches are located in Utah and the surrounding area we know that communities like Logan are important to Zions. More specifically we know that Zions is committed to supporting diversity. Zions president A. Scott Anderson said, "It is our goal to select and retain qualified employees that represent all segments of the communities we support." In addition to diverse employment, Zions has supported several diversity projects including the Hispanic Business Awards Ceremony, and the refugee employment program of the Asian Association of Utah. Supporting AFSA will help Zions Bank further their commitment to supporting diversity.
Problem
Each year AFSA holds an African Banquet on the USU campus which focuses on the best of African culture. The banquet has seen increased support and attendance, but is difficult to fund with our limited resources. The African food served at the banquet costs $2,000 alone, and greatly exceeds our annual budget of $500. Without community support, including support from Zions Bank, this banquet which displays the best of African dance, music, food and dress will not continue, and people in the Logan area will lose a valuable opportunity to experience African culture.
Solution
By receiving an annual grant of $2,500 from Zions Bank AFSA will be able to organize and promote the African Banquet each year. AFSA will also be able to pursue our other goals which include cultural programs in the Logan area that will expose the community to African culture. This partnership will be well advertised by AFSA and Zions Bank will be recognized as our major partner at the African Banquet and any other major program that is implemented. All banquet fliers and promotions will include the Zions Bank logo. This promotion will help Zions Bank achieve its desired reputation as a leader in supporting community diversity, and will also build a positive reputation with many people in the community, which in turn will lead to more customers, and more Zions Bank accounts.
Capabilites
AFSA is a International Student Club at USU and has the leadership needed to accomplish the organization's goals of educating USU students and community members on African culture. Newly appointed association president Jojo Beyene and her cabinet are committed to AFSA's growth and success. AFSA has started to actively seek community partnerships with leaders like Zions Bank in order to enrich the existing African Banquet, and create new programs that will expose the community to the best of African culture.
Budget
Our request from Zions is a partnership contribution of $2,500. We will be sending similar proposals to a few local businesses in order to reach our budget goal of $5,000. By contributing half of our proposed budget Zions Bank will be considered our title sponsor and will receive preference in all advertising and promotion performed by AFSA. The $5,000 budget will allow AFSA to lower the cost of admission to the African banquet, and allow for more advertisement. Banquet attendance will double next year and grow steadily after that. Free African culture educational programs will also be implemented with the additional funds.
Conculsion
We encourage Zions Bank to support AFSA and send the proposed grant of $2,500 and a letter confirmation to the address provided. If you have any questions please contact Dexter Summers at dexter.summers@aggiemail.usu.edu
End Matter
"Zions Bank Diversity Commitment." Zions Bank. Zions Bank Human Resource Department, 2009. Web. 14 Apr 2010.
No comments:
Post a Comment