18TH ANNUAL GALA
Saturday, March 28, 2020
HISTORY OF THE TORCH In 1972, Florida International University dedicated the Torch of Knowledge, Service and Understanding in memory of the late Ernest R. Graham, the forward-thinking senator who championed the university’s creation. On FIU’s 25th anniversary, the FIU Alumni Association established the Torch Awards Gala to honor successful individuals who have had a positive impact on their professions, the community and the university. The alumni and faculty who are selected represent FIU’s finest – they are our Torchbearers.
ABOUT THE TORCH AWARDS On March 28, 2020 the FIU Alumni Association will host the annual Torch Awards Gala at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami. The Torch Award was created in 2000 and is the highest honor bestowed on alumni by the FIU Alumni Association. Recipients are recognized according to their achievements in their professional industries and their contributions to society. The FIU Alumni Association will celebrate the accomplishments of these prominent alumni and faculty members in style, offering dinner and musical entertainment. Whether you enjoy fine dining or the opportunity to network with members of the community, this evening will prove to be unforgettable. Net proceeds from the gala will support the future construction of the FIU Alumni Center. Set to open in fall 2021, the facility will become the new home of the FIU Alumni Association and will foster lifelong connections among students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends. A multipurpose, stateof-the-art facility for academic, social and business gatherings, the center will recognize donors, share university history and showcase both student and alumni accomplishments. The Alumni Center is funded through private support of Next Horizon: The Campaign for FIU; it is part of a larger, publicprivate partnership recently approved by the Florida Board of Governors to build a combined alumni and conference center and hotel on the Modesto A. Maidique Campus. Proceeds from the event also benefit FIU’s First Generation Scholarship Fund, which supports students who are among the first generation in their families to earn college degrees. Nearly a quarter of undergraduates at FIU are firstgeneration college students, and 90 percent of fund recipients are minorities, making this fund a critical priority for the institution. The state of Florida matches philanthropic support of the fund by 200 percent, so the proposed gift offers a unique opportunity to enhance the university’s ability to effect transformational change in the lives of South Florida’s underserved students.
BECOME A SPONSOR The annual Torch Awards Gala attracts our community’s most influential business and community leaders. This event gives corporate sponsors a variety of ways to showcase their brand and commitment to the community. Our partners not only appreciate the opportunity to showcase their brand at this signature event, which in 2018 brought together 1,000 guests, but they also understand their generosity directly supports Florida International University. Beyond paying tribute to FIU’s impressive supporters, the event presents sponsors with a unique opportunity to support Next Horizon: The Campaign for FIU, a landmark effort to raise $750 million to advance student success and research excellence at the university. The comprehensive undertaking encompasses all areas of need at the university and will benefit students, faculty and the broader South Florida community by creating a better, bolder future for FIU.
SPONSORSHIP LEVELS PRESENTING SPONSOR — $35,000
PLATINUM SPONSOR — $25,000
Exclusive Presenting Sponsor
10 tickets, which include cocktail reception and preferred dinner seating.
10 tickets, which include cocktail reception and VIP dinner seating. 10 student tickets sponsored in priority dinner seating, selection of student major or industry of choice. One-minute video highlighting your company’s philanthropic activities shown during the program or opportunity to speak during program. A full-page, full-color ad on the back cover of the Torch Awards program. Recognition as Presenting Sponsor on all materials promoting the event, including logo on the event invitation. Recognition as Presenting Sponsor on the event website and on video screens during the dinner and program. Recognition from the stage during the ceremony. Opportunity to provide one branded premium item to be given as a gift to our guests (approximately 800). Item must be approved by event committee.
A full-page, full-color ad with priority placement (inside cover if available) in the Torch Awards program. Recognition on all materials promoting the event. Recognition as a Platinum Sponsor on the event website and on the video screens during the ceremony. Recognition from the stage during the ceremony. Opportunity to provide one branded premium item to be given as a gift to our guests (approximately 800). Item must be approved by event committee. Acknowledgement space on FIU Alumni Association e-newsletter sent to our Miami distribution list. Two season passes to live performances hosted by the FIU School of Music and FIU Theater. Opportunity for speaking to students.
A dedicated e-blast to our event distribution list.
GOLD SPONSOR — $15,000
SILVER SPONSOR — $10,000
10 corporate tickets which include cocktail reception and priority dinner seating.
10 tickets, which include cocktail reception and priority dinner seating.
A full-page, full-color ad with priority placement in the Torch Awards program.
A full-page, full-color ad in the Torch Awards program.
Recognition on all materials promoting the event.
Company listing on all materials promoting the event. Company listing as a Silver Sponsor on the event website.
Recognition as a Gold Sponsor on the event website and on the video screens during the ceremony. Recognition from the stage during the ceremony.
PRINTED PROGRAM ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Full-page: $2,000
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Half-page: $1,000
Note that your contribution may be considered tax deductible, where allowed, to the fullest extent under the law as allowed by IRS regulations. Any and all net proceeds from this event, after payment of associated expenses, may be used to support FIU’s Torch Awards, benefitting the First Generation Scholarship Fund and Alumni Center Building Fund. The amount of your contribution that is deductible is limited to the excess of your contribution over the value of the goods and services provided to you. In accordance with Foundation policy, the FIU Foundation, Inc. may assess a one-time Advancement Initiative fee in the amount of 3% of the gift (“initiative”) to support the University’s general fundraising and capital campaign expenditures. The Initiative will be collected with the first installment of the gift (and any subsequent installment, if necessary) in order to fulfill the Initiative as soon as practicable.
TABLE OPTIONS VIP TABLE — $6,000 Premier table placement adjacent to the stage, FIU’s President Mark B. Rosenberg’s table and presenting sponsors’ tables.
PREMIUM TABLE — $5,000 Exceptional table placement at a close proximity to the stage. You will be seated alongside university leadership and top donors.
PREFERRED TABLE — $4,000 Quality table placement with an optimal view of the stage from the exterior edges of the ballroom.
18th Annual Gala
SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2020 JW Marriott Marquis Miami 255 Biscayne Boulevard Way Miami, FL 33131
Thank you for your commitment to the FIU Alumni Association’s 18th Annual Torch Awards Gala. If you are interested in any of the aforementioned sponsorship opportunities, please contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 305-348-3334 or email Susie Vicaria Castillo, Director of Alumni Relations, Corporate Sponsorships at: Susie.Castillo@fiu.edu.
*Please note that February 3, 2020 is the deadline to submit artwork for program acknowledgements. Designed and printed by Division of External Relations, Strategic Communications and Marketing 19397_06/19