Development, the newest department at ARRL HQ, was established to ensure the continuation of ARRL funding long into the future. All hams--whether members or not--now have a clear, consistent avenue to participate in the preservation of their hobby.

Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH.

QST editorials have taken a more strident tone regarding the protection of frequencies assigned to the Amateur Radio Service. The reason is simple. Commercial interests are pushing for less restrictive use of part 15 devices in some amateur bands and other commercial interests also want access to frequencies not presently available to them. The League--which means ARRL members and elected officials--resists this incursion and has mounted a strong campaign to protect our hobby. The benefits of our efforts will accrue to all amateurs, everywhere--members or not.

The important point is that many ARRL services do benefit more than just the membership. ARRL has established an office of Development that is creating an organized system for hams worldwide to participate in these spectrum defense efforts and more. Formerly, gifts came to ARRL from hams who felt the urge to support their hobby. ARRL has accommodated their wishes, but in a somewhat unstructured way. Now, ARRL has found a better way. Development will establish special giving programs, accepting donations from all interested persons.

Operating costs of ARRL are subject to the pressures of inflation just as any other entity. It is imperative that funds be raised in a manner to counter inflationary erosion of fixed assets. Development will call on the expertise of Accounting and Administrative Services for their expertise in investment of these funds. ARRL has always had a high level of professionalism in this as well as in technical matters.

Corporate and Foundation Giving

Development asks for corporate and private foundation support of ARRL goals. Corporate departments responsible for charitable giving have special requirements to test the validity of requests. Usually a requesting organization will be asked to prove that its own membership is fully behind the projects and has demonstrated such interest by measurable financial support. A major task of Development is to convince corporate officials that such is the case for ARRL. Individual gifts, valuable in themselves, have the potential to be a significant multiplier when used to make a convincing argument for the case of corporate giving.

Individual Giving

ARRL is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Gifts of annuities, trust funds and life insurance may have tax benefits to donors. The Development office has more information about gift planning. As always, donors should consult their legal and financial advisors about their plans.

Annual or lifetime membership dues payments are an important source of ARRL income. For some individuals, that annual or one-time payment is a significant contribution. For others the cost of membership is easily attainable. Members might gladly contribute even more if a way was made available, and some incentives offered for their consideration. Development has established new levels of membership. Persons wishing to make higher annual contributions are entitled to additional benefits. An example might be a personalized certificate signed by League officials. Another example might be a special insider's newsletter giving advance notice of special events at a League-approved hamfest or at the Dayton Hamvention. For years colleges have had similar donor programs to honor alumni who donate to their alma mater. For many hams, ARRL is their alma mater.

The Director

Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH, of Wethersfield, Connecticut officially assumed her new duties at ARRL Headquarters in 2001. Prior to coming to the League, Hobart served as vice president for development at Connecticut Public Television and Radio in Hartford, where she managed a comprehensive $6.8 million development program. She has been a development professional for 17 years with a career focus on public broadcasting membership organizations. Hobart's two main passions are gardening and international travel. Among other accomplishments, she has led several safaris in Kenya.