the industry count

Creating big, fast change isn't easy. It requires strong financial and personnel resources. Recognizing this, in the summer of 2004, the SSF Board of Directors and International Advisors launched the year-and-a-half long SSF Enterprise & Endowment Drive (aka "SEED") to build both operating income and an endowment to ensure the long-term viability of SSF. SEED will allow us to expand our education, awareness and support programs, hire additional development and program staff, launch our global awareness Element Events, begin planning the first ever style summit and continue to develop even more innovative programs and campaigns. To this end, ten percent of all funds raised will go into SSF's Enterprise Fund to support our operations, programs and campaigns with the remaining 90% going to the Endowment Fund.

Along with support from foundations and contributions from major donors, the goal of SEED is to raise $1 million in each of the 15 style/design industries that SSF works within. Most industry contributors view SEED as a corporate social responsibility marketing and public relations opportunity and thus access marketing/PR budgets rather than traditional corporate giving allocations, which often have a very defined scope and amount.

The first group of SEED sponsors will be recognized in November of 2004 in association with the first OSSA Awards press release.

Please take a moment to review the SEED giving levels below. Feel free to contact our office at 206-324-4850 if you have any questions or if would like more information on how to contribute to SEED.