It’s no secret to most of you in the electronic security industry that consolidation dries up funds for non-profit and association activities that support our industry. This trend has been significant the past 6-8 years. State and national associations reliant on contributions have found fewer sources of funding available.
That provides challenges for us here at SIAC, as well as organizations and associations that serve our industry. Not only is the total amount of potential donations reduced, but there can be greater competition for the funding that companies make available as part of their annual mission to keep these non-profits entities healthy.
What’s to be done? We’ve focused on a number of newer avenues that past five years or so. Our approach continues to be finding other alternatives to get SIAC’s work in front of others so companies understand our value to the security industry.
First and foremost, from SIAC’s perspective, we want to continue our service to the industry without depleting any assets, whether those be financial or human. We recently put together a Financial Working Group, headed by long-term industry leader Tim Creenan. He and his group will look into innovative ways to secure longer term funding.
We emphasize the phrase “long-term.” Short-term funding is more of a “band-aid.” Long-term means we can map out the solutions and investments necessary for us to provide education and information materials, as well as on-the-ground support to local and state associations who need our help to fight onerous alarm ordinances.
Tim and the Working Group will research alternatives. Meetings have begun. We expect to have an expanded advisory counsel also looking at alternative funding opportunities, including endowments and grants. Quite frankly, if you have ideas to help us on this front and believe in SIAC’s mission, please reach out to Stan Martin direction at stan@siacinc.org. We need your engagement.