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Partnership Opportunities

2012

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Who We are & Why We Need Your Support Multiple Sclerosis What if you got up from your desk for a glass of water and your leg would not move? What if you got home tonight, grabbed a saucepan to start dinner and could not feel your hand? What if you awoke tomorrow morning opened your eyes and saw darkness? Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic often disabling disease of that randomly attacks the central nervous system. It is the number one neurological disease of young adults . The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS vary from person to person and cannot be predicted. Advances in research and treatment are moving us loser to a world free of MS but we still have a ways to go. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) interrupts the flow of information from the brain to the body and stops people from moving; The National MS Society exists to make sure it doesn’t.

National MS Society & The North Florida Chapter The National MS Society, established in 1946, is dedicated to our mission to mobilize people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by MS. The Society is the largest private funder of MS research in the world and provides services and support to over 400,000 Americans living with MS. The North FL Chapter was chartered in 1973 and currently serves nearly 18,000 people living with and affected by MS in a 34 county area. We do this with a wide range of programs and services designed specifically to meet the varied needs of those dealing with the unpredictability’s of MS. We do this with your help!

OUR MISSION: To mobilize people and

resources to drive research for a cure and

to address the challenges of everyone

affected by MS. How Your Support Makes a Difference:

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The Role of Corporate Partnerships

“The practice of corporate philanthropy has evolved significantly over the past several decades to a point where it is becoming an

important part of corporate strategy.” - California Management Review

Cause-Related Marketing Through Walk MS Sponsorship A recent article in Advertising Age magazine says that companies are actually increasing their cause-related marketing despite challenging economic times. It names Sears, Target, OfficeMax, General Mills and Proctor & Gamble as companies that believe in the approach as a means to encourage consumers to spend on their products. Sponsorship of one of Walk MS is an effective way to meet cause-related marketing objectives.

Over 7,500 people are engaged in the chapter each year

through one of our fundraising events.

Employee Engagement Through Teams and Volunteerism Registering and supporting a corporate team for Walk MS is easy to implement; while fun and rewarding for a company’s employ-ees. In addition to teams, our events and programs offer many opportunities for employees to volunteers together as a group representing their employer. Support of teams and employee volunteerism adds value to both the organization and their employees through:

• Greater employee pride and commitment • Increased community awareness • Improved internal communication • Improved employee camaraderie • Organization’s enhanced reputation • Employee’s personal fulfillment

Developing Powerful Partnerships The North FL Chapter is committed to developing strong and effective relationships with community partners and leaders. We aggressively seek out natural partnerships with which we can build mutually beneficial alliances in order to move the us closer to realizing a world free of MS. These collaborations provide us with funding and access to specific expertise to address the complex issues facing people affected by MS. In turn, to offer exclusivity and access to a distinct and desirable population of chapter friends to whom our partners can market and promote their support of our organization.

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Walk MS North Florida

Event Description The North Florida Chapter hosts one-day 5k Walk MS events in each of it’s 6 major market areas. Each walk varies in size with the largest one held in Jacksonville. Whether it be a client who has had MS for 10 years or the uncle of someone recently diagnosed, Walk MS is a day for everyone to come together to raise aware-ness and funds to create a world free of MS.

Walk MS is the rallying point of the MS movement, a community coming together to raise funds and celebrate

hope for the future.

Event Details Annual Fundraising for Entire Campaign: $250,000 Partnership Opportunities: Team Participation, Volunteer, Sponsorship, In-kind Donations, Pin-up Sales Location: Event Size: Date: First Coast 1000 walkers April 14th, 2012 Pensacola 500 walkers April 21st, 2012 Tallahassee 250 walkers April 21st, 2012 Orange Park 200 walkers March 31st, 2012 Gainesville 200 walkers April 21st, 2012 St. Augustine 200 walkers April 14th, 2012

Walk MS Demographics* • 82% of walkers are female • 63% of walkers have children • 61% have an undergraduate of higher degree • 64% have a household income of over $50,000 • Walking, Health and Fitness, Reading and Cooking are listed as

interests and activities by over 50% of Walk MS participants • Walk MS participants are technologically savvy; 88% gather

event information through emails and 57% use social media sites.

* based on a 2009 national Walk MS Survey

89% of Walk MS participants said they are more likely to support a company who sponsored Walk MS.

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Walk MS Sponsorships

By sponsoring Walk MS, your company will be reaching the heart of the MS Community. Below are the Walk MS Sponsorship

Opportunities. Upon review we would love to meet with you to discuss how Walk MS Sponsorship can meet your marketing

needs.

89% of Walk MS participants said they

are more likely to support a company who

sponsored Walk MS.

Event Sponsorships Event sponsorships include all 6 Walk MS sites and exposure through Walk MS Mass Communications. Walk MS North Florida Partner—$1,500 As a partner your company will receive the following benefits: - Logo inclusion on event t-shirt - Signage at Walk MS North Florida events - Vendor Space at any Walk MS North Florida events - Recognition as a sponsor on website and newsletter High Rollers Club (Top Fundraiser Program) Title Sponsor-$3,000 The High Rollers, our Top Fundraisers of $500 or more, are passionate walkers encouraged by the mission and are the VIPs of Walk MS. Title sponsorship includes exclusive naming rights, logo inclusion on all High Roller Communication and Partner Sponsorship Benefits. Presenting Sponsorship- $7,500 Presenting Sponsorship of Walk MS North Florida will include, exclusive logo inclusion in the Walk MS North Florida logo. This logo will be included on all Walk MS Marketing Materials as well as Chapter-wide Marketing Materials. Sponsorship benefits additionally include, “Partner” benefits listed above. Site Sponsorships Site sponsorships provide an opportunity to reach the local community by sponsoring individual walk sites.

Rest Stop Sponsorship - $500 Rest stop sponsorships are a great way to directly reach Walk MS Partici-pants and involve employees! Rest stops along the walk MS route provide refreshments for walkers along their journey. As the reststop sponsor com-panies have the opportunity to make a fun and festive atmosphere and promote the companies involvement in Walk MS. Sponsorship includes signage at the Start/Finish and Walk T-Shirt logo inclusion.

Entertainment Sponsor- $750 Sponsor the live entertainment at one of 6 Walk MS sites! Sponsorship includes stage signage, recognition as the Walk MS Entertainment Sponsor and Walk MS T-Shirt logo inclusion

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Form a Walk MS Team

MS Society’s Walk MS Staff will provide you with everything needed from team materials to fundraising ideas and unlimited one-on-one support for your team captain!

Our team is always a phone call away!

How will the NMSS support your team? • MS Society staff member assigned to your team • Recruitment support, including onsite presentations and

pep rallies • Brainstorming and idea sharing • Fundraising support including access to easy-to-use

customizable online fundraising tools for each team member • Customizable team webpage • Sponsoring the Walk MS Event • And we’ll put on a FUN event for the team to enjoy!

step 1: recruit a Team Captain Selecting the right captain is the key to building a successful team. the captain: • Spearheads recruitment • Monitors fundraising • Coordinates team activities step 2: register as a team To register simply go to: www.nationalMSsociey.org/FLN

step 3: provide incentives to encourage participation • additional vacation days • recognition in corporate • communications • reserved parking spots • an opportunity to walk or ride • with corporate leaders • branding the team with company

jerseys, hats, water bottles, etc.

All it takes is three easy steps!

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Thank you for your interest in the Walk MS!

What’s Next? Our goal is to create partnerships with companies that are mutually beneficial. So help us help you! We will be happy to meet with you to discuss Walk MS. We will then work with you on starting a team or tailoring a sponsorship package that meets your business objectives. We look forward to creating a partnership with your company.

Cara O’Reilly, Director of Special Events Cara.oreilly@fln.nmss.org

Lacey Mitchell, Event Coordinator Lacey.mitchell@nmss.org

National MS Society North Florida Chapter

4237 Salisbury Road Suite. 406 Jacksonville, Florida 32216

Phone: 904-332-6810 Fax: 904-332-0898

VISIT OUR WEBSITE:

www.nationalMSsociety.org/FLN

Local Sponsors Include: Enterprise Rent-A-Car

People’s First Community Bank Starbucks

CW-17 PGA TOUR

Citi State Farm

Bryant Air-Conditioning Select Portfolio Services

ParkerVision Florida Coastal School of Law

Jacksonville Neurological Clinic Century 21

National Corporate Stars

Bank of America Bayer HealthCare

biogen idec BP

KPMG ClearChannel

Deloitte DOW

EMD Serono Pfizer FedEx

Genentech biogen idec GIANT

GM Microsoft

TEVA Neuroscience Wachovia

Wieden +Kennedy