The Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation (NREF) will step up its efforts to advance neurosurgery. But before we peer into the future, a brief history lesson is in order.
The NREF was established in 1980 as the Research Foundation by the leadership of AANS in response to the alarming rate at which federal and private funding for medical research was being cut.
The first Research Fellowship Award, a two-year grant, was given in 1983 to provide funding for research training for neurosurgeons preparing for an academic career as clinician investigators. In 1985, the Foundation began funding a Young Clinician Investigator Award, a one-year grant, given to young faculty members for pilot studies so they could develop preliminary data to support more permanent funding from other sources.
In the early stages of the Foundation, AANS membership accepted the fund-raising challenges of supporting these grants and made a substantial commitment to the future of neuroscientific research through the establishment of an endowment fund. In 1985, the annual campaign to support the Foundation began. Since that time, AANS membership has been solicited yearly by mail for donations.
Each year, the Scientific Advisory Committee of NREF reviews grant applications and makes funding recommendations to the NREF Executive Council based on scientific merit and the value of each proposal. Although both groups would welcome the opportunity to fund all proposals that are recommended, resources are limited.
Improving the Annual Campaign
The 2000/2001 NREF annual campaign is currently in the process of revision. A key element of the campaign is our name change. In the fall of 1999, the foundation’s name was changed to the Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation. This change was made to broaden the mission of the Foundation to incorporate the education of neurosurgeons in research, while at the same time position the NREF as a funder of basic and clinical research for neurosurgery. Hopefully the name change will help us reach all neurosurgeons.
Our goal is to increase AANS membership support above the current level of 4 percent participation. In addition to a yearly mailing and an option to donate on dues statements, leadership will participate in a peer-to-peer solicitation program. People give to people and that is why almost 80 percent of all charitable donations come from individual donors. NREF’s peer-to-peer campaign will be modeled on a typical major gifts program that emphasizes the “Five I’s of Fundraising.”
The first “I” is easy in a membership organization and that is to identify the potential donor. The second “I” is to inform the donor about your organization. This is done through the Bulletin, the AANS Annual Meeting, N://OC ® and other means.
The third “I” refers to the interest or motivation of donors. The Foundation has begun to address this by changing our focus to include both basic and clinical research. Plus, for the 2001 Annual Meeting, the inaugural Hunt-Wilson Lecture has been made possible by a generous donation to NREF from Timir Banerjee, MD. Dr. Banerjee endowed this lectureship out of his desire to honor his mentors in perpetuity.
Involving the donor in your organization is the fourth “I.” Most NREF donors are the leaders in neurosurgery and AANS. The final “I” is investment in your donors. The investment in your donors is the difference between fundraising, which is typically a one-time event or activity, and development, which is a process. Encourage the donors to learn more about NREF and the studies we have funded. If we are able to follow the five “I’s” of fundraising we should be able to receive the best member gift of all-a renewed gift.
Commitment to Research
AANS was founded on a commitment to research and training in the scientific method. NREF was founded to support research endeavors and to expand the field of neurosurgery. With the supportof all AANS members, NREF can fund promising young investigators who will be at the forefront of science, representing the future of neurosurgery.
For information on contributing to NREF, contact Bobbi Burgstone, Director of Development, at (847) 378-0540