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Dive into the details and strategies behind the Metro Atlanta Regional Transportation Referendum, including fundraising insights, public opinions, and key stakeholders. Learn about MAVEN, CTM, fundraising sources, learning points, and the importance of securing votes alongside dollars.
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Metro Atlanta Regional Transportation Referendum Fundraising Overview
GA Regional Referenda101 • HB 277 passed in April, 2010 • July 31, 2012 election, simple majority • 10-year, 1 penny sales tax • Georgia divided into 12 regions; regions vote separately • Effort in metro Atlanta managed by MAVEN/CTM • Other 11 regions managed by GA Chamber of Commerce • Metro-Atlanta 10-county region will generate $7.2 billion over 10 years • 52% Transit • 48% Roads, interchanges, bike/ped, aviation
Baseline Data • May 2011 benchmark poll: majority of voters unaware or undecided; balance favor the tax, by small margin. • Overwhelming majority of Atlanta voters agree traffic congestion is a serious problem, and if un-addressed, we will lose jobs, economy will suffer. • Large majority of voters plan their day to avoid congestion. • 200,000+ citizens participated in outreach efforts to develop the 157-project list. • Consensus among Governor, Speaker, Mayor Reed, majority of local elected leaders, biz community, 100+ org. coalition
MAVEN and CTM • 501 (c)(3) MAVEN $2.0 million budget • Neutral, non-partisan education, research, etc. • No limit on contributions • Generally tax-deductible • 501 (c)(4) CTM $6.8 million budget • “Vote Yes” activities, persuasion and advocacy • No limit on contributions • Not tax-deductible • Subject to state campaign disclosure requirements
Fundraising Sources • MAVEN Donors $2.0m of $2.0m committed • Community Improvement Districts (BIDs) • Corporate and family foundations, universities • Individuals • CTM Donors $4.2m of $6.8m committed • Public and private companies • Associations, membership & industry organizations • Individuals
CTM Structure • Major targets: companies who “get it” (engineering, consulting, construction, real estate, banking, technology, supply chain/logistics, etc.) • Finance Committee: peer-to-peer asks, targeting, triangulation • Geometry is important: associations, targeting within industries, special events, connectivity, etc. • Seth Godin, author of TRIBES: “best donors are the ones engaged in working toward the mission of the enterprise”
Fundraising Learning • Signature gifts- Set the bar high • Special events- Create deadlines • Fill up the room- Use peer pressure to your benefit • Start at the top- The $ get smaller as you go down • Don’t ask for no’s- Get the right person to ask • Don’t get snoozed- Be persistent • Water the flowers- Turn your donors into askers
Remember the Mission • Win. • The ultimate currency of your campaign is VOTES, not dollars. • Use the fundraising effort to secure VOTES, not just dollars. (sell shares)
Information Sources • TransformMetroAtlanta.com • AtlantaRegionalRoundtable.com • @TransformATL • Transform Metro Atlanta
Contact Info Dave Williams VP Transportation, Metro Atlanta Chamber dwilliams@macoc.com 770-846-9000