2011 NAIAS Charity Preview Organizational Re-Alignment

TROY - September 14, 2010 - The 2011 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) Charity Preview announced today that it will provide a new structure to maximize proceeds from the annual black-tie gala, one of the top single-night fundraising events in the nation. Under the new structure, two of the event's traditional beneficiaries - Northeast Guidance Center and Easter Seals Michigan - will now receive support through the Detroit Auto Dealers Association Charitable Foundation Fund, a fund of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. The remaining organizations will continue to receive funds from the Charity Preview tickets sales directly.

Those organizations include: Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan; Boys Hope Girls Hope of Detroit; The Children's Center; Judson Center; The Detroit Institute for Children; Think Detroit PAL; March of Dimes; The Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation; and the DADA Charitable Foundation Fund, a fund of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.

"Like the automotive industry itself, there are charity organizations which are larger or smaller and of varying capacity," said Barron Meade, 2011 NAIAS Chairman. "However, like the smaller and larger companies in our industry, that size doesn't diminish the level of good, quality product. Each of the charities involved with NAIAS Charity Preview do outstanding and necessary work in this community. Allowing two to be supported outside the normal ticket sales structure allows those organizations to still receive funding even though staff size and resources might not be equal."
Bill Perkins, 2011 NAIAS Vice Chairman, noted that last year saw a 25-percent increase in ticket sales over 2009, but because a lower ticket price was established due to the economy, approximately $2 million was raised at the 2010 event. That number is about the same amount raised in 2009. The economics of trying to spread the funds from a steady-but-limited amount is a challenge, he said, but not insurmountable because of the dedication of the charities doing vital local work. "The marketing effort that each organization makes during Charity Preview and throughout the year for funding in tough times is intense," Perkins said. "Smaller organizations may do outstanding work that needs to continue but may be limited by staff, targeted markets or name recognition. Children's futures are at stake when times are hard as those who need help in good times are even more at risk in times of economic challenge like we've seen here. I'm proud the DADA Charitable Foundation Fund can step up to make the load of significant organizations a bit lighter despite external conditions."

Since its inception in 1976, Charity Preview has raised more than $82 million for children's charities in metro Detroit, over $37 million of which was raised in the last seven years alone. Medical treatment, clothing and support services for local kids in need all are made possible through the purchase of Charity Preview tickets.
Tickets for the 2011 NAIAS Charity Preview can be purchased at www.naias.com.

Beneficiaries of the Charity Preview include: Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan; Boys Hope Girls Hope of Detroit; The Children's Center; Judson Center; The Detroit Institute for Children; Think Detroit PAL; March of Dimes; The Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation; and the DADA Charitable Foundation Fund, a fund of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.