The PRSA Foundation is an independent, 50l (c) 3 charitable foundation which enhances the role of the public relations industry in serving the public good, by raising funds to support scholarships for public relations students, research projects that impact the
practice of public relations, and public education initiatives that build greater awareness among business and government leaders about the role of public relations in serving the the public good. Our role is to be a small foundation that serves as catalyst and convenor. Research Goal is to fund significant research projects that will generate findings that impact the entire public relations profession and thus, its ability to serve the public good. 2009: $20,000 grant to the Commission on Public Relations, working with the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communications Management, to enhance professional standards by identifying how PR is taught around the world, identifying best practices, common and unique methods. Click here to read the report. Education/Scholarships Assist in providing financial support to the next generation of professionals who will help the industry fulfill its role of serving the public good. 2009: Completed funding Plank Endowment fund ($100,000, largest fund of the Foundation; secured new John D. Graham annual $5,000 scholarship, largest annual individual award. We’re now working on efforts to help address the current situation where more and more academically qualified students have significant financial need that may threaten their ability to successfully complete their studies and join our ranks. Working to help chapters with scholarship funds enhance their efforts, and encourage other chapters to create such funds.
| | Education/Public Education Focused on educating the public, particularly business, government and community leaders, about the role that public relations can play in helping to address societal issues. Strategic approach: “educating by demonstrating,” spearheading initiatives that demonstrate to how public relations works and delivers results. We will work as catalyst to identify key issues to be addressed, and a convener to bring together like-
minded partners from the public relations industry as well as other partners to address these issues. We will provide financial support in the form of seed money to help incubate ideas and launch partnerships, as well as launching specific fund-raising campaigns to support designated initiatives. 2009: Pursuing role Foundation can play in developing public-private partnerships to assist in rebuilding public trust in American business, with a specific focus on the banking industry. Paladin Dinner – Uniting and Honoring Industry Leaders: The Foundation created the Paladin Dinner and Award to bring together and honor industry leaders who have been advocates for the profession. (Paladin – in Medieval times, an heroic champion, a determined advocate or defender of a noble cause.) 2009: The 2009 Dinner was held in NYC on April 20, with guests from PRSA Board, College of Fellows, andSections, Arthur Page Society, Council of PR firms, The Wisemen, (PR) Seminar, global PR agencies and major corporations. The first Paladin Award was presented to John D. Graham, chairman, Fleishman Hillard. |
