Sponsorship Policy
Preamble
CFA Society San Francisco values financial support from reputable corporations to further the organization’s mission to promote the highest ethical standards, best practices and professional development within the investment industry to educate and build trust in the community it serves.
Financial support from sponsors allows the organization to engage in mission-focused programs and activities “Events” that could not otherwise be pursued. The following guidelines have been established to ensure that all of CFA Society San Francisco’s sponsorship arrangements advance the Society’s mission and strategic goals, serve the best interests of the organization, retain the Society’s independence, and avoid conflicts of interest.
Definitions
“Event Sponsorship” is any sponsorship arrangement in which a commercial or non-profit entity or individual provides money, in-kind support, products, services, or other thing of value to CFA Society San Francisco as consideration for the Society advertising the entity’s brand at one or more Events or any portion of an individual Event. The entity’s role in the Event is passive, in that the entity is not involved in the planning, preparation or presentation of the Event.
“Event Co-Sponsorship” is any sponsorship arrangement in which a commercial or non-profit entity or individual, jointly and actively with the Society, plans, prepares, presents, and sponsors or markets a Society Event for the purpose of advertising of the entity’s brand, increasing attendance and/or participation at Society Events and Outside Events, and/or for other reasons.
“Outside Events” are those events held and organized by third parties that the Society may choose to co-sponsor.
Generally Applicable Policies
The following policies apply to CFA Society San Francisco Event Sponsorships and Co-sponsorships.
Consistency with CFA Society San Francisco Mission
CFA Society San Francisco will not partner with businesses for sponsorships if the business or products sold are inconsistent with the Society’s mission. This includes, but is not limited to, organizations within the tobacco, drugs or alcohol industry.
Criteria for Sponsorship
In reviewing sponsorship opportunities, factors to be considered include:
- Compliance with Society policies.
- Effect on membership or membership programs, services, and activities.
- Relevance to the sponsored event or activity.
- Effect on other Society programming.
- Effect on existing or anticipate revenues.
- Impact on the reputation or identity of the Society and its respective programs and services.
- Legal or political implications.
Review and Approval
CFA Society San Francisco reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject any proposed sponsorship for any reason or no reason at all. Any proposed new sponsorship must be reviewed and approved by the CEO to ensure that the arrangements are consistent with the Society’s mission and goals, and that any potential conflicts of interest are disclosed and addressed in accordance with the Society’s Conflicts of Interest and Disclosures of Certain Interests Policy. The CEO may request support from the Board of Directors in the review and approval process if it is deemed necessary.
No Endorsement
CFA Society San Francisco does not endorse its sponsors, their policies, products, or services, nor imply that the Society will exert any influence to advance the corporation’s interests outside the particulars of the arrangements made for the sponsored event or activity. The Society’s name or logo may never be used in conjunction with a sponsor’s product, or service without the express written permission of the Society. Sponsors may not use the CFA Society San Francisco name, logo and/or identifying information in a manner by the corporate sponsor that would express or imply the Society’s endorsement of the corporation or its products, services or policies. Any use of the Society’s name, logo, or any other Society trademark on advertising or other promotional offerings must comply with the Society’s Trademark Policy.
Written Agreement
The terms, conditions, and purposes of the financial support will be documented by a signed agreement between the sponsor and CFA Society San Francisco. Completed sponsor forms serve as the agreement with the Society.
No Free Advertising or Return Benefit
Sponsors are contributing to support CFA Society San Francisco specific events or the Society’s mission and are entitled to the benefits outlined in the specific sponsor agreement. Sponsors are not entitled to receive free advertising (as that term is defined by the Internal Revenue Code [IRC] or Internal Revenue Service [IRS] rules and regulations) or other substantial return benefits from CFA Society San Francisco.
Event Sponsorships of Society Events by Other Parties
CFA Society San Francisco will have complete control of the content and speakers at any sponsored activity or event. Sponsors will not control the planning, content, or execution of the activity or attempt to direct or influence the content of the Society’s programs, except that CFA Society San Francisco may ask the sponsor for suggestions to enhance the experience for the sponsor.
Identity
In any Event Sponsorship, the identity or presence of the Society must predominate and must never be compromised or confused by Society with the sponsor. The Society’s name or logo may never be used in conjunction with a sponsor’s product, or service without the express written permission of the Society. The Society’s name and logo should never be used in such a manner as to express or imply an endorsement by the Society of a sponsor’s product, publication, or service.
Acknowledgment
Acknowledgment must not be so extensive as to suggest the sponsor “owns” or “controls” the sponsored entity or its programs, products, or events. Additionally, descriptions of the relationship between a sponsored entity and its sponsor must not imply endorsement of the sponsor. Words that imply endorsement, such as “preferred,” or “endorsed” must not be used in describing such relationships. Suggested wording for Event Sponsorships is as follows:
- The reception by CFA Society San Francisco is presented with the generous support of ABC Company and the following additional sponsors.
- ABC Company is a proud sponsor of the CFA Society San Francisco Golf Tournament and Reception.
Termination
CFA Society San Francisco reserves the right to terminate any sponsorship if the sponsor or its representatives or agents engage in any conduct that would lead the Society to reasonably determine that its continued participation in the arrangement with a particular company would adversely affect the goodwill and reputation of the Society or its members. In the event of any such termination, the Society will relinquish the sponsor's contribution and return all unused funds.