Southern California Company Announces Call for Entries for the $10,000 Grand Prize for Its 2012 Gift of Hope Award for Outstanding Southland Non-Profit Service

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Due to a tough economic climate with non-profit organizations receiving fewer donations, Los Angeles/Orange County charities are invited to compete for $10,000 in publicity & marketing services for 2012.

According to Giving USA, a report by the American Association of Fundraising Counsel, American philanthropy in 2010 showed individuals & bequests contribute 80% of donations. That number is 87% including family foundations. Corporate giving falls in the minor 15%. Entering 4th quarter of 2011, more than half of contributions to non-profits are down from 2010.

Mary Ann McQueen Butcher, Partner - Authentic-PR said, "If you study the statistics or read the news, it's obvious that a large segment of the population is barely getting by. That means many of them need and, hopefully, get help from local charities. It's local charities that need as much of our support as possible. Further, we want to do our part after the holidays when contributions slow down."

"We have the expertise to make a difference for at least one non-profit," remarked Dustin Parker, Partner. "There are many non-profits helping families, animals, homeless, environment, etc. We'll handle publicity & marketing for the winner so they can apply more donations to needs of the community while we increase cause-awareness which can become more contributions."

Submissions are accepted December 2, 2011 - January 6, 2012.

Winners announced on January 17, 2012.

TO BE CONSIDERED:

• Be a current/good standing 501(c)(3), minimum 3 years
• Based in Los Angeles-Orange County (may be affiliated with national charity).
• Organizations may self nominate or have someone/company apply
• Submit 500-word narrative or 5-minute video including a description of the charity's work, who it serves and why it needs services
• Three references can include board members, funders, community partners or other stakeholders, but are preferably not staff members
• Immediate past year's financials - 990. If the 990 is not available, then internally produced financials
• Letter of recommendation who isn't a staff/board member or making the nomination & can corroborate/validate the information submitted

HOW TO NOMINATE A NON-PROFIT:

Visit Authentic-PR on Facebook, http://www.Facebook.com/AuthenticPR. "Like" the page, then gain access to the nomination application.

Submit your video at http://www.YouTube.com/AuthenticPR. Create A Video Response to Gift of Hope Video.

HOW NOMINATIONS ARE EVALUATED:

The Authentic-PR Management & advisors will review all submissions.

ABOUT AUTHENTIC-PR:

While over four years old, Authentic-PR has decades of marketing and public relations experience thanks to its principals and staff members who have worked directly for/with companies like Disney, Intel, Century 21, Pepsi and Frito Lay. The organization builds strategies for traditional marketing and public relations and digital marketing for companies large and small.

CONTACT INFO:
Mary Ann McQueen Butcher, Managing Partner
Authentic-PR
310-492-5815, 714-845-7141
[email protected]
Facebook: AuthenticPR
Twitter: @Authentic_PR
http://authentic-pr.com/

Images available: http://photobucket.com/AuthenticPRPhotos

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SOURCE Authentic-PR