Walk to create a world free of MS

Sponsorship Proposal

2011

Prepared For:

October 26, 2010 Mary Zarcone Regional Vice President GEICO One GEICO Center Macon, GA 31296 Dear Ms. Zarcone: On behalf of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Georgia Chapter, I want to congratulate you on your recent appointment as southeast Regional Vice President. For the past two years, The National MS Society and GEICO have partnered together for Walk MS: Georgia. Through GEICO’s partnership, Walk MS: Georgia has grown over 20 percent to over 5,100 participants across the state. I am pleased to submit this sponsorship request for your review. We look for-ward to your partnership in our cooperative efforts in 2011 as we move another step closer to a world free of MS. The National MS Society believes that moving is not just something you can or can’t do, but rather is who you are. This is why we sponsor events like Walk MS — to continue to be the driv-ing force behind the MS movement through investing over $48 million in research and providing programs and services that address the challenges of each person whose life is affected by MS. It is our firm belief that corporate support and employee volunteer engagement have a direct correlation to the success of moving our mission forward. As you carefully review the informa-tion in the following pages, you will note how we rely on the generous support of our sponsors, major donors and event participants to increase awareness and profits needed to fund research, programs and services for the 9,000 Georgians living with MS. Please contact me with any additional questions you may have regarding this sponsorship pro-posal. I can be reached at 678.501.6614 or ailena.parramore@nmssga.org. Best regards, Ailena Gibby Parramore Director of Special Events Tax ID #58-0652901

2011 Sponsorship Propsoal

YOU’RE IN GOOD COMPANY!

These are just a few of the companies that have already joined the movement with sponsorship of Walk MS and Bike MS in Georgia

MS FACT

WHY SPONSOR WALK MS: GEORGIA?

Not only will your support help the National MS Society fund vital pro-grams and services that help people with MS and lead the way in ground-breaking research to find a cure, but it also provides unparalleled exposure for your company:

⟩ Exclusive exposure to 5,500+ walkers and volunteers in 9 regional market areas, effectively cover the entire state of Georgia

⟩ Increased corporate identity through company inclusion in the Walk MS media campaign ⟩ Brand exposure through collateral materials, website and

newsletters ⟩ Promotional benefits through on-site product/service showcases ⟩ Strong community relationships built through community in-

volvement. ⟩ Corporate pride and employee retention through creative

volunteer and participation opportunities. Every hour

WHAT SPONSORS ARE SAYING Georgia Power is a proud supporter of the National MS Society - Georgia Chap-ter because we support the organization's efforts to improve the lives of people living with MS in the communities we serve. MS Society events raise funds for the organization -- and provide sponsors with exceptional opportunities to reach target audiences. These events have provided opportunities for our employees to give back to their communities, to showcase our core values, and to connect with customers and business leaders throughout the state.

Tal Wright, Director, Corporate Communication Georgia Power Co.

We’re proud to support the National MS Society Georgia Chapter in their efforts to end the devastating effects of MS. Not only does raising money to battle MS matter to many of our employees, but the ride also provides us with great team-building opportunities.

Jessica Laiti, Corporate Responsibility Communications Specialist

Cox Enterprises

89% of Walk MS participants believe

companies that sponsor Walk MS

are demonstrating commitment to

their community – 2010 Walk MS

Survey

EVENT DETAILS Walk MS: Georgia is a series of 9 fundraising 5k walks held in regional locations throughout the state of Georgia. The purpose of Walk MS is to raise funds for client programs and research as well as heighten pub-lic awareness of the disease. The success of each Walk MS event is a reflection of the great work initiated by dedicated staff and local com-munity volunteers. In 2011, the Georgia Chapter will host nine regional walks throughout the state. The goal for Walk MS: Georgia 2011 is 5,750 participants raising $700,000.

PARTICIPANT DEMOGRAPHICS

Approximate Household Income

37.7% below $50,000 24.5% $50,000-$74,999 17.0% $75,000-$99,999 20.7% $100,000 or more Education

14.5% High School Degree 24.2% Some College 37.1% Bachelor’s or equivalent 19.4% Master’s Degree

Gender

71% Female 29% Male Age

58% 20-40 40% over 40

2011 WALK MS DATES (Regional Map on Next Page)

Walk MS: Georgia 2011 Participant Goal

by Location

Location 2010

Participants 2011 Target

Atlanta 1,975 2,200

Marietta 1,225 1,250

Albany 167 240

Athens 374 450

Augusta 425 500

Columbus 179 200

Macon 262 300

Rome 327 350

Savannah 274 300

Total 5,151 5,750

March 19, 2011 ⇒ Walk MS: Southwest GA ⇒ Walk MS: Chattahoochee Valley ⇒ Walk MS: East Central GA

April 2, 2011 ⇒ Walk MS: Northeast GA ⇒ Walk MS: Northwest GA ⇒ Walk MS: Coastal Empire ⇒ Walk MS: Middle GA

April 9, 2011 ⇒ Walk MS: Atlanta

April 30, 2011 ⇒ Walk MS: Marietta

Walk MS: Georgia 2011 Regional Map

78 cents of each dollar raised in Georgia goes to ending

multiple sclerosis

WHERE THE MONEY GOES

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Sponsorship opportunities for Walk MS range from Ex-clusive Title Sponsor($50,000) to Break Point Sponsor ($1,000). Sponsors of Walk MS are visible, recognized, and cele-brated for their partnership and commitment to achiev-ing a world free of multiple sclerosis. MS research and programs are expensive, but community-supported events such as Walk MS allow us to generate a signifi-cant amount of funding and give us the opportunity to engage the community in a successful and inspiring way. You have the opportunity to show support for the com-munity, be a good neighbor, and join the National MS Society in our relentless fight against multiple sclerosis. In exchange for your sponsorship, we will provide your organization with exciting marketing benefits that may include: • Media Exposure • Brand Exposure • On-Site Event Benefits • Chapter Benefits IN-KIND DONATIONS While cash sponsorships allow us to underwrite the cost of the event, in-kind product and service donations al-low us to keep the cost of our events low, putting more money raised towards our goal of achieving a world free of MS. Opportunities include: • Breakfast • Lunch • Entertainment • Medical Supplies • Massage Therapy Pavilion • Rest Stop Snacks • Top 100 Club • Printing • Supply Trucks • Ice

84% of adults believe that cause marketing

creates a positive company image.

78% would be more likely to

buy a product associated with a cause they

care about.

66% would switch brands and 62% would switch retailers to

support a cause they cared about.

54% would pay more for a

product that supports a cause they care about.

Cone Roper Benchmark Study

on Cause Related Marketing

86% of Walk MS participants are more likely to patronize a company that sponsors a Walk MS.

– 2010 Walk MS Survey

78% Programs/ Education Research

22% Fundraising / Administration

GEICO—SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Sponsors of Walk MS are visible, recognized, and celebrated for their partnership and commitment to achieving a world free of multiple sclerosis. MS research and

programs are expensive, but community-supported events such as Walk MS allow us to generate a significant amount of funding and give us the opportunity to engage the

community in a successful and inspiring way. You have the opportunity to show support for the community, be a good neighbor, and join the National MS Society in our relentless fight against multiple sclerosis. PROPOSAL A : $50,000 Benefits:

⇒ Statewide Title Sponsor of Walk MS: Georgia 2011 ⇒ GEICO Logo included within the Event Logo ⇒ GEICO logo displayed on Start/ Finish Line Banner ⇒ Company representative on Atlanta/ Marietta Event Commit- tee

(optional) ⇒ Additional benefits listed on the following pages

PROPOSAL B : $25,000 Benefits:

⇒ Statewide Presenting Sponsor of Walk MS: Georgia 2011 ⇒ GEICO Logo included below event logo ⇒ Additional benefits listed on the following pages

SAMPLE LOGO

SAMPLE LOGO

Title ($50,000)

Presenting ($25,000)

Platinum ($15,000)

Gold ($10,000)

Silver ($5,000)

Bronze ($3,500)

Break Point

($1,000)

Title & Presenting Sponsor Recognition

Company logo and name included in event logo and title

√ √

Exclusivity in your business category √ √

Company representative on Event Committee (optional)

√

Promotional Rights Increase sales and corporate identity with event themed promotions

√

√

√ √ √ √

Permission to use National MS Soci-ety and event logos on web and print materials

√ √ √ √ √ √

Company recognized at post-event party

√ √ √ √ √ √

Corporate Team Opportunity √ √ √ √ √ √

Use of Georgia Chapter and event logos signaling your commitment to your clients and employees

√ √ √ √ √ √

Multi-year lock-in agreement available

√ √ √ √ √ √ √

Recognition as state-wide sponsor √ √ √ √ √

Media Exposure

Company name associated with pro-motional media (radio, television, print)

√

√ √ √

Company name included in all media releases

√

√ √

√

Name inclusion on Media Kits √ √

Public mentions at Day of Event (PA) √

√

√

√

√

√

Walk MS Sponsor Benefits One-Year Entitlements

Presented by Your logo here

Sponsorship Benefits Cont.

Title ($50,000)

Presenting ($25,000)

Platinum ($15,000)

Gold ($10,000)

Silver ($5,000)

Bronze ($3,500)

Break Point

($1,000)

Brand Exposure

Company name included on 10,000 Event Flyers

√ √

Company logo placed on posters dis-tributed throughout Georgia

√ √ √ √

Company highlight, logo and link to website included in pre- and post-event e-newsletters

√ Company

profile

√ Company

profile

√ Company

profile

√ √ √

Company logo on event website’s sponsor page with link to company website

√

√ √ √ √ √

Company logo in Event Manual √ Cover &

Sponsor Page

√ Cover &

Sponsor Page

√ Sponsor

Page

√ Sponsor

Page

√ Sponsor

Page

√ Sponsor

Page

Company logo on participant t-shirts

√ Front & Back

√ Front & Back

√ Back

√ Back

√ Back

√ Back

Company logo on cover of Team Cap-tain’s Manual

√

√

Sponsorship Benefits Cont.

Title ($50,000)

Presenting ($25,000)

Platinum ($15,000)

Gold ($10,000)

Silver ($5,000)

Bronze ($3,500)

Rest Stop ($1,000)

On-Site Event Benefits

Opportunity for company representative to speak from stage at the event

√

On-site sales/concession rights √ √ √

Display or showcase product/service √

√

√ √ √ √

Company recognition from the stage √ √ √ √ √ √

Product sampling at various locations along route

√ √ √

Company logo displayed on start/finish line banner

√

Onsite signage during event *sponsor provides banners

√ Start/Finish

√ Start/Finish

√ Start/Finish

√ Start/Finish

√ Start/Finish

√ Start/Finish

√ Only at Break Point

Onsite signage at Media Event √

√

√ √

Ownership of specified break point during the Walk MS event, with li-cense to display banners and provide volunteers wearing company attire.

√

Please make note of the following deadlines as they relate to sponsorship benefits:

To be included on the collateral materials (i.e. poster, flyers, etc.) a signed sponsorship commitment form must be received prior to January 1, 2011 To be included in TV and radio advertising, a signed sponsorship commitment form must be received prior to February 1, 2011. To be included on the event t-shirts a signed sponsorship commit-ment form must be received prior to February 15, 2011.

the box We believe that a sponsorship relationship should be mutu-ally beneficial. We really do. So help us help you. Think of ways we can partner together to forward both of our mis-sions in creative, engaging ways. Cash sponsorships allow us to underwrite the cost of the event, putting more of the money raised toward our goal of achieving a world free of multiple sclerosis. In-kind product and service donations allow us to keep these costs low. Out-of-the-Box sponsorships are creative opportunities that increase your exposure and direct publicity. Here are few ideas: • Team participation • Web promotion • Partnership/recognition at external events • MS Awareness Week (March 2011) involvement • Publicity stunts We want to tailor a sponsorship package to meet YOUR business objectives. We are very excited to talk with you about further opportunities to make your sponsorship MORE beneficial for you.

Please share your thoughts with us!

the box thinking outside

Company Name: _________________________ Contact Name: _________________________ Contact Title: _________________________ Address: _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Telephone: _________________________ Fax: _________________________ Email: _________________________ Website: _________________________

____YES! We would like to be part of the effort to achieve a world free of MS by becoming a Walk MS: Georgia 2010 in-kind sponsor by providing the following product/service valued at $________:

____YES! We would like to be part of the effort to achieve a world free of MS by becoming a Walk MS: Georgia 2011 cash sponsor at the fol-lowing level:

___ Break Point ($1,000)

___ # of Break Points Your Company will Sponsor

___ Title- ($50,000)

___ Presenting ($25,000)

___ Platinum ($15,000)

___ Gold ($10,000)

___ Silver ($5,000)

___ Bronze ($3,500)

CASH SPONSORSHIP

IN-KIND SPONSORSHIP

Product Donated ___________________________________

Approximate Value of Donation ______________________________

Pickup/Delivery Details _____________________________________

Please return this form: Jared Miley, Walk MS Development Manager

National MS Society – Georgia Chapter 1117 Perimeter Center West · Suite E101 · Atlanta, GA 30338

678.672.1000 phone · 678.672.1015 fax · jared.miley@nmssga.org

————————————————————————-—

_____________________________ Authorized Company Rep (Print) ____________________________ Authorized Company Rep (Signature)

_______________________________ NMSS - GA Chapter Rep (Print) _______________________________ NMSS - GA Chapter Rep (Signature)

_____________________________ Title

_______________________________ Title

_____________________________ Date

_______________________________ Date

STATEWIDE SPONSORSHIP

ATLANTA– MARIETTA ONLY

The National MS Soci-ety believes that mov-ing is not just some-thing you can or can’t do, but rather is who you are. This is why we spon-sor events like Walk MS and Bike MS — to raise funds for re-search, as well as com-prehensive programs and services for peo-ple with MS — moving closer to a world free of MS.

MS is the #1 disabling

disease among young adults in

the United States.

WHAT IS MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS? Multiple sclerosis (MS) interrupts the flow of information from the brain to the body and stops people from moving. Every hour in the United States, someone is newly diagnosed with MS, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paraly-sis. The progress, severity, and specific symptoms of MS in any one per-son 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 more than twice as many women as men contracting the disease. MS affects more than 400,000 people in the United States, and 2.5 million worldwide.

Over 8,500 Georgians

are iving with MS.

NATIONAL MS SOCIETY, GEORGIA CHAPTER Since its founding in 1946, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society has been the leader in the fight against MS. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society supports more MS research, offers more services for people with MS, provides more professional education pro-grams, and furthers more MS advocacy efforts than any other MS organization in the world. The Georgia Chapter is one of a 50-state network of chapters and branches that represent the Na-tional MS Society. The Chapter offers education, support, and wellness programs to people living in all 159 counties in Georgia, and serves more than 8,500 people who live with MS as well as their families, friends, caregivers, and health care providers.

For more information about Walk MS sponsorship or

involvement, contact:

Jared Miley Development Manager

678.501.6622

1-800-FIGHTMS jared.miley@nmssga.org

National Multiple Sclerosis Society Georgia Chapter

1117 Perimeter Center West, Suite E101 Atlanta, GA 30338

www.nationalMSsociety.org/gaa

WHY WE WALK

Multiple sclerosis stops people from moving. We exist to make sure it doesn’t.

This is why we walk. Many who participate have a common bond, they or someone they know has multiple sclerosis and they feel strongly about finding a cure. Walkers dedicate months of preparation to en-courage their friends, families and coworkers to JOIN THE MOVEMENT. They motivate them to make a personal pledge or join their team to individually raise money to benefit the Georgia Chapter of the National MS Society. They know that funds raised sup-port many programs to help those in our community who are affected by MS. With every dollar raised, 78 cents directly supports client pro-grams/ services and global research to develop treatments and ultimately find a cure for MS.

JOIN THE MOVEMENT!

“It was the most amazing day of my life and the best

thing I have done since finding out I had MS”

– 2010 Walk MS: Georgia Participant