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    Peach Belt donor program reflects DII values

    Jan 28, 2010 9:00:58 AM


    The NCAA News

     

    The Peach Belt Conference has developed a creative approach to attract corporate support and at the same time honor Division II's key attributes by establishing a student-athlete development fund that allows tier-level contributions.

    The fund supports the conference's student-athlete programs, including league championships, life skills programs, professional-development efforts, postgraduate scholarships and community engagement.

    Six of the seven contribution levels are named after the key attributes identified in the Division II strategic-positioning platform:

    A seventh level, the Peach Belt "20th Anniversary Fund" is available for a $20 contribution.

    In return for their contributions, donors receive gifts ranging from championship passes and sports banquet tickets to Peach Belt apparel and online recognition.

    Peach Belt Commissioner Dave Brunk said the effort designed primarily for corporate interests but also for individual donors provides flexibility while remaining true to what Division II represents.

    "With the economic situation the way it is, we want to have an aggressive corporate-partner program because it creates so many great opportunities for our student-athletes and membership," Brunk said. "But the trick was with times the way they are, how can we get more involvement?"

    Brunk said the concept provides "the best of both worlds" because first, it helps tell the Division II story with references to the key attributes and strategic platform.

    "But also it helps the Peach Belt to tell its own story about how we align locally with the Division II platform to help our conference grow and be a good steward of what Division II is all about," Brunk said.

    Also as part of the campaign, 5 percent of all monetary contributions will go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the charity that has become synonymous with Division II outreach over the past six years.

    "I've been so proud of our campus SAACs and conference SAAC that have carried the torch for Make-A-Wish," Brunk said. "We wanted to do something along those lines from a conference office perspective, too."

    Brunk said the program reflects the Peach Belt's own resourcefulness to meet a league need even in times of economic stress.

    "We've been hearing from potential donors that they'd love to be a full corporate partner but they just can't right now because of the economy," he said. "Well, here's a way that those interested companies and individuals can become involved at a level that is more comfortable for them at this time."

    For more information on the program, see the Peach Belt Web site at www.peachbeltconference.org.