HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Resolution authorizing the expenditure of $1,000 from Council Contingency Account to sponsor 2025 NAACP Freedom Fund BanquetITEM #:1
DATE:01-31-25
DEPT:ADMIN
SUBJECT:2025 NAACP FREEDOM FUND BANQUET SPONSORSHIP
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
At the January 28, 2025 City Council meeting, the Council reviewed a request (attached) from Pastor
Moses Ward, President of the Ames Branch of the NAACP for sponsorship of the 2025 NAACP
Freedom Fund Banquet. The Council directed that the request be placed on the January 31, 2025 agenda
for Council consideration.
The letter from Pastor Ward describes the scheduled program for the 2025 event, which will be held on
February 20 beginning at 5:30 p.m. The keynote speaker will be Sharon Weston Broome, the first
African American female Mayor-President of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The City Council is being asked whether it wishes to participate as a sponsor in the event. Five
sponsorship levels are offered, along with individual/single ticket pricing. The sponsorship levels are
summarized below:
Diamond Sponsor: $5,000, includes 20 guests at the event
Platinum Sponsor: $3,500, includes 16 guests at the event
Silver Sponsor : $2,500, includes 10 guests at the event
Bronze Sponsor : $1,000, includes 8 guests at the event
Sustaining Sponsor/Faith-Based: $500, includes 5 guests at the event
In 2024, the City participated in the event as a Bronze Sponsor. It should be noted that separately from
the sponsorship being requested from the City Council, the Police Department plans to participate again
this year as a Bronze Sponsor. The Library is exploring participating as a sponsor this year as well, but
has yet to determine which level of sponsorship to pursue.
Funding to support the request is available from the Council Contingency account, which has a current
balance of $123,872.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Authorize the use of $1,000 from the Council Contingency Account for a Bronze Sponsorship
level for the 2025 NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet.
2. Authorize a sponsorship at one of the other sponsorship levels.
3. Decline to sponsor the 2025 NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet.
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CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
The NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet is a signature annual event for the Ames Branch of this important
organization. Through this and other events, the NAACP facilitates meaningful conversations to strive
for equitable outcomes for the whole community. In 2024, the City participated in this event as a
Bronze Sponsor. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt
Alternative No. 1, as described above.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Ames NAACP 2025 Freedom Fund Sponsor Request- City of Ames.pdf
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NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE
Ames Branch #4120 – P.O. Box 529 – Ames, Iowa 50010
2025 Annual Freedom Fund
Thursday, February 20, 2025
Registration and Social 5:30 p.m.
Dinner-6:30 p.m.
January 22, 2025
Mayor and Ames City Council
Attention: Steven L. Schainker, City Manager
Ames, IA 50010
Greetings Mr. Schainker
As we enter a new year, we know that the Ames Branch of the NAACP must continue to lead the work, ensuring that
all community members can contribute and are valued. Now more than ever, we must lead, listen, partner, provide
tools and resources, and sponsor meaningful programming with community organizations and local governments.
To ensure this work continues locally, we invite you to attend our 2025 Freedom Fund Banquet on Thursday, February
20th. Registration and a social hour begin at 5:30 p.m., and the program and dinner begin at 6:30 p.m.
The theme of our 2025 event focuses on "Our Mission Continues...” in conjunction with the NAACP's Enduring
Commitments to Civil Rights, Social Justice, Health, and Well-Being, to name a few. Our goal for Ames is the
continuation of meaningful conversations and positive interactions that lead to equitable outcomes for all who reside
in our community. To help us continue to build on this vital work, The Honorable Sharon Weston Broome will be our
Keynote Speaker. Mrs. Broome served as the first African American female Mayor-President of the City of Baton
Rouge and East Rouge Parish from 2017-2025. She previously served as a Baton Rouge Metro City Council Member, a
Louisiana State Representative, and a Louisiana State Senator. Mrs. Broome also served as President of the National
League of Cities. Ms. Broom holds a B.A. in Mass Communication from the University of Wisconsin – Lacrosse. She
received her M.A. in Communications from Regent University. This lifetime public servant is also president of Sharon
Broome Communications and is nationally recognized as one of our country's most motivational and passionate
speakers. With warm-hearted exuberance, Ms. Broome helps people move from seeking success to pursuing
greatness. She has been described as knowledgeable, inspirational, and a visionary. We are excited about what she
will share to enhance and expand our community's efforts to engage more with all our community members.
As a corporate sponsor, the City of Ames's footprint will be recognized for its continued support and commitment to
the betterment of the community of Ames/Story County. The 2025 sponsorship levels are attached for your
consideration. We hope we can again count on your support for this event.
We want to thank the City of Ames in advance for considering this partnership and sponsorship opportunity. We look
forward to hearing from you soon. Please visit our website at www.amesianaacp.org to register for the event. If you
have any questions or need additional information, contact our Freedom Committee Chair, Vanessa Baker-Latimer, at
ffbames@gmail.com.
Kindest Regards,
Pastor Moses A. Ward, President, Ames NAACP Branch
2025 Freedom Fund Event Committee:
Vanessa Baker-Latimer-Chair; Anita Rollins & Timothy L. Gartin;-Co-Chairs
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Ames Branch NAACP Freedom Fund Event
Thursday, February 20, 2025
Gateway Hotel and Conference Center, Ames, Iowa
Social 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Program 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
2025 Corporate Sponsorship Levels and Benefits
Diamond Sponsor: $5,000
• 20 guests at the In-Person Event (10 per table)
• 20 one-year NAACP memberships*
• Logo recognition as Diamond Sponsor during the program
• Verbal recognition during the program
• Logo and link placement on the NAACP Ames website for one year
• Recognition Plaque
• Opportunity for 1–4-minute “live or pre-recorded” message during the event.
Platinum Sponsor: $3,500
• 16 guests at the In-Person Event (8 per table)
• 16 one-year NAACP memberships*
• Logo recognition as Platinum Sponsor during the event program
• Verbal recognition during the program
• Opportunity for 1–3 minute “live or pre-recorded” message during the event.
• Logo and link placement on NAACP Ames Web Site for program year
Silver Sponsor: $2,500
• 10 guests at the In-Person Event (10 per table)
• 10 one-year NAACP memberships*
• Logo recognition as Silver Sponsor during the program
• 1–2-minute pre-recorded message during the event
• Verbal recognition during the program
• Logo placement on NAACP Ames Web Site for program year
Bronze Sponsor: $1,000.00
• 8 guests at the In-Person Event (8 per table)
• 8 one-year NAACP memberships*
• Logo recognition as Bronze Sponsor during the program
• Recognition as a Bronze Sponsor on our website for one year
Sustaining Sponsor/Faith-Based: $500.00
• 5 guests at the In-Person Event (5 per table)
• 5 one-year NAACP memberships*)
• Recognition as a Sustaining Sponsor on our website for one year
Individual/Single Ticket: $160.00
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