Corporate Donations

As with past efforts to preserve significant symbols of America's history, heritage and freedom (the Statue of Liberty and recent Ellis Island restorations representing two such examples), we offer corporate America the exceptional opportunity to support such a worthy and high profile effort  - this time to “Save The JFK.”  We encourage corporate leaders and marketing chiefs to contemplate the long term value of a category exclusive John F. Kennedy Maritime Museum sponsorship.

While President John F. Kennedy’s legacy resonates worldwide, his lasting historical impact in the United States underscores the business case for a brand partnership with the John F. Kennedy Maritime Museum.

Since its founding in the 1930’s The Gallup Organization has compiled an annual List of Widely Admired People based on a question to United States citizens to name the individuals whom they most admire.  In December 1999, they consolidated these results for their final survey for the 20th century into a list of eighteen people from the century previously identified as “most admired,” resulting in the following rankings:

   1. Mother Teresa
   2. Martin Luther King Jr.
   3. John F. Kennedy

Additionally, in a Gallup Poll conducted in June, 2004, Americans identified President Kennedy as the most positively rated recent American president, with 78% of respondents rating him as “outstanding” or “above average.”

Unlike traditional naming rights deals featuring the sponsor's name on a stadium or other public facility, we offer a rare and unique opportunity to leave the existing, historical name intact with your corporate name along side. What value can be placed on your brand on this prestigious and popular symbol of America's recent maritime history together with its widely-revered namesake?  What is the value of a brand relationship that transitions from a high-profile national public campaign to “Save The JFK” into a longer term relationship to fund the establishment and operations of the John F. Kennedy Maritime Museum, welcoming 1.2 million visitors annually?

One easily concludes that creative and proactive participation could result in pricless leveraging of this incomparable opportunity.

Founding Sponsor - $5 million (in three installments) – one opportunity:

One Founding Sponsor will forever enjoy the recognition and goodwill that comes from assuming the primary corporate leadership role to “Save The JFK” from its present fate of a mothballed Naval relic - as the largest tourist attraction / learning center / special event venue in the country south of Orlando, Florida. 

Corporate Sponsorship risks:

As with any sponsorship opportunity risks, must be considered.  We have contemplated what those risks are and how the sponsorship agreement addresses them.

Present Situation:

A single “Founder” (Paul Troxell) has committed upwards of $300,000 of his personal funds to develop the strategic and business plans required to present an organized and deliberate plan to the public to enlist their encouragement and support. The JFK CV-67 Memorial Foundation, Inc. has obtained its official 501 (c)(3) charitable designation from the Internal Revenue Service, and is licensed to solicit funds in the State of Florida and beyond.

Although the Foundation has drafted thorough plans to further its mission to Save the JFK, inherent risks accompany any organization as it executes its development strategy.  Specifically, necessary elements for execution of the plans for installation of the JFK Maritime Museum will require local government commitment to permanent public space access as well as agreement by the Department of Navy.

In general terms, we anticipate a multi-faceted public-awareness and business campaign:

We strongly encourage a lively dialogue among the citizens, hospitality industry leaders civic champions and governmental officials in south Florida and beyond.  Remarkable opportunities such as this one require Big Picture Thinking.  As a new tourist attraction and event venue, stakeholders should compare the relative benefits of sponsorship against that at other high-profile venue proposals .

Other attractions have sought public funding and support based on “projected increase in hotel nights and tourism spending” that their projects might generate.  However, no other project - past, present or future - has or can deliver the direct financial and educational benefits that the “Save The JFK” efforts provides.  In fact, our forthcoming request to the Secretary of the Navy for donation of the vessel requires supporting documentation of a viable, self-sustaining business plan.

The Foundation has identified two ideal locations in the United States capable of accommodating “Big John” as a thriving attraction, where it can sustain itself in perpetuity as required by the Navy Ships Donation Program.  We view the fact that these two locations happen to be a mere 25 miles apart as a positive for the entire south Florida economy.  The extent to which Miami or Fort Lauderdale will undertake concerted efforts to clear a path-of-least-resistance to the waterfront real-estate and related infra-stucture support necessary to build a successful long-term business plan will be determined by those with personal and business stakes in those communities.

Contact us regarding a Corporate Donation