The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery
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The Charitable Campaign
General. The initial assessment of the RCA Heritage Project identified that a capital budget of about $4M would be required. The project was scheduled to start in 2004, but the magnitude of the project has led to delays. While some of the necessary funding now comes from public agencies under current agreements, and some is provided by non-public funds, it was estimated that about $2.2M would have to be raised by public subscription. It was appreciated that a balance of capital, O&M and investment would be necessary. In outline it is planned to ensure that capital projects are not pursued until Heritage Trust Fund is able to fund the concomitant O&M funds necessary to operate any new facility or activities.
Source of Funds
Three separate potential sources of funding have been identified. They include:
Serving and Retired Gunners.Serving and retired gunners can be approached for an annual (or single time) contribution. This has been the traditional method of seeking funds for heritage projects. Unfortunately, few members of this donation set are sufficiently wealthy that major contributions can be expected. Non-traditional contributions through money left in wills, contributions of property or stocks are also possible, and must be encouraged, but are unlikely to lead to the amount of money necessary. Nevertheless, this source of funds continues to be important, and must not be allowed to atrophy.
Governments and Charitable Foundations.There are many government agencies and charitable foundations that provide support to museum and heritage projects annually. RCA heritage efforts have had some success in tapping these sources in the past, but efforts have been concentrated in Manitoba, and in the area adjacent to CFB Shilo. It is considered that a truly national campaign will be necessary to raise the amount of money necessary. At present, the RCA has no facility to identify potential donors nation-wide, or to solicit their support.
Private Corporations. Many private corporations make annual donations to a variety of causes, including military museums and related institutions. The RCA Heritage Project has not made use of these potential donors in the past, and it is considered to be vital to solicit donations from these potential supporters.
Current Posture
The RCA does not, at present, have the organisation, or the expertise to conduct a nation-wide heritage oriented solicitation campaign. While there is an outline managerial structure for the RCA Heritage Project in place, this has not been developed in sufficient detail to allow effective fund raising. The following paragraphs outline the nature of the organisation necessary, and suggest channels of responsibility and accountability. It is important to recognize, however, that this project will need encouragement from all levels of the RCA community, and will involve most serving and retired members of the RCA. This will be a major demand on their time and professionalism, and must be supported by all levels of command.
Structure
The campaign will be based on regional chairmen, who will be the principal RCA solicitor in their designated area. The Heritage Council Chairman will be responsible for co-ordinating and de-conflicting the efforts of the regional chairmen.
Regional Heritage Committees. The regional Heritage Committees will meet on the call of the Regional Chairmen. It is anticipated that there will initially be at least four regional committees – Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, and the West, but many more Committees are likely necessary. Boundaries will be adjusted by the Heritage Council to reflect changing circumstances and differing opportunities. These agencies are the principal means whereby potential donors are identified, cultivated and donations are sought. The principal responsibilities of the Regional Heritage Committees, under the leadership of the Regional Chairmen, include:
Surveying their area of responsibility for potential donors. Priority should be given to identifying foundations, governments and corporate agencies, as the solicitation of serving officers and retired personnel will largely undertaken by the Director of Artillery, unit COs and the RCAA;
Advising the Heritage Council on likely donors in their area, together with recommendations for any additional assistance necessary to cultivate the donor(s) identified;
Recommending the nature and type of team necessary to solicit the donation(s), including suggesting members of the team and the most suitable approach;
Co-ordinating the visits of national campaign personnel to selected donors, including visit schedules and contacts to be made;
Establishing solicitation teams and conducting donor requests in their area. It is foreseen that most solicitations will be made by Regional Chairmen, or by individuals representing them. Only in special cases will national campaign personnel be involved. Nevertheless, considerable liaison will be essential between national and regional efforts to ensure that there is no duplication of effort and that individual donors are not approached by two separate agencies;
Facilitating the auditing and administrative follow up for all donations, including recommendations for public announcements and the processing of donation paperwork; and
Seeking assistance, as necessary, from the National Campaign Staff.
National Campaign Staff. The national campaign staff will be provided primarily by the Director of Artillery and the Commander of the Home Station. They will be assisted by the Chairman of the Heritage Council and the Director of Artillery Heritage. Their principal tasks include:
Maintaining the appropriate files and receipts for each donation, including issuing tax receipts. The principal action officer will be the Regimental Major;
Co-ordinating the movements and employment of the Colonel Commandant, the Director of Artillery and any other personnel used to assist in seeking donations;
Facilitating potential donor invitations to social events, operational sites and exercises, which are designed to interest and involve potential donors in RCA functions;
Ensuring that national campaign personnel involved in solicitation are fully briefed on the task, the personalities involved and any sensibilities the potential donor(s) may have; and
Arranging for the routine audit of all RCA Heritage Project functions.
Campaign Support. It will be essential for all members of the RCA community to support the various aspects of the RCA Heritage Project. In particular, the identification of potential donors should be a priority effort. Any potential donors should be identified to responsible Regional Chairman with dispatch.
Administrative Issues & Priorities. The administrative procedures necessary to operate the RCA Heritage Project will be developed by the Director of Artillery Heritage and the Regimental Major. These procedures will include standing priorities.
Coordinating Issues. Transfer of funds to and from the RCA Heritage Trust fund to any other fund will only be undertaken with explicit approval of the Heritage Council. Moneys from other accounts may be transferred into the RCA Heritage Trust Fund with the approval of the Artillery Council.