2008-2009: Revitalizing and Revamping
The Specialized Information Publishers Foundation, an IRS 501(c)(3) public foundation, was created in 1982 to further excellence in specialized-information publishing through promoting the medium while attracting and developing its professionals at all levels.
Voluntary contributions from specialized-information publishers and friends of the industry support SIPF. The Specialized Information Publishers Association provides some administrative and staff support for the activities of the SIPF. A board of directors, listed on the SIPF Board of Directors page of this website, controls the operations of the Foundation and is largely responsible for implementing many of the Foundation's programs.
During 2008-2009...
Recognition
Each year the Foundation sponsors the Excellence in Editorial and Marketing Awards program. SIPF Excellence Award winners are recognized at an awards luncheon in conjunction with the SIPA International Conference. Editors and publishers are honored for top-notch journalism and marketers are honored for their strategy, creativity and outstanding bottom-line results. This year, the Foundation was pleased to have NBC correspondent Norah O'Donnell present the first-place awards, as well as serve as the luncheon guest speaker.
A complete list of this past year's SIPF Excellence Award winners can be found at http://www.sipfonline.org/ under the Recognition tab.
Research
A key mission of the Foundation is to provide research for and about the industry. This year the Foundation commissioned new studies and partnered with other research organizations to produce valuable industry information. Highlights include:
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Licensing MarketingSherpa's Best Practices in E-mail Marketing Benchmark Study and providing it to all SIPA members via http://www.sipfonline.org/.
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Commissioning an industry benchmark study that was produced in partnership with MarketingSherpa. The survey results were presented at SIPA's June conference, and can also be found on the Foundation website.
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Commissioning a compensation and benefits survey which is expected to be released by the end of 2009.
Scholarships
In response to current economic conditions, the Foundation launched a new program to provide scholarships to individuals who otherwise would not have been able to attend SIPA's annual conference. As a result of the new program, 28 individuals from companies of all sizes and locations were able to attend all or part of the conference. In some cases, the Foundation provided travel and hotel accommodations. Many of the recipients have been loyal volunteers and friends to SIPA and SIPF over the years. Because of the generous contributions made to SIPF in the past, we were able to give back through these scholarships.
Website
As part of the updating of the SIPA website and its migration to a new publishing system, the SIPF website was re-vamped. Visitors can access the SIPF website through a SIPF home page link on the SIPA site, as well as through separate URLs (www.sipfonline.com and www.sipfonline.org). New features for the SIPF site include: Foundation-sponsored research, the updated Career Guide, a special Awards section featuring the Excellence Award winners in Editorial and Marketing, as well as entry forms and brochures for the competition; the Foundation's Hall of Fame winners, and more.
SIPF Grants
With a $3,000 grant, the Foundation continues to support the University of Georgia's Annual Survey of Journalism & Mass Communication. Of special interest is the Annual Survey of Journalism & Mass Communication Graduates, which once again reports that compared with all recent graduates, those working in specialized information publishing were among the very highest paid. Click here to access the survey.
SIPF In Review 2008-2009
Statement of Income & Expenses for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2009
|
EXPENSES |
|
|
University of Georgia Study |
$ 3,000 |
|
Recognition Awards |
17,878 |
|
Research |
34,000 |
|
Career Guide |
1,850 |
|
|
|
|
Scholarships |
17,290 |
|
Other |
12,404 |
|
Total Expenses |
$ 86,422 |
|
|
|
|
NET |
$ (41,767) |
SIPF In Review 2008-2009
Balance Sheet As of June 30, 2009
|
ASSETS |
|
|
Cash in Bank/Investments |
$ 319,942 |
|
Accrued Interest |
4,697 |
|
Accounts Receivable |
6,545 |
|
Total Assets |
$ 331,184 |
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES & FUND BALANCE |
|
|
Liabilities: |
|
|
Accounts Payable $ 20,884 |
|
|
Total Liabilities $ 20,884
|
|
|
Fund Balance, 7/01/08 |
$ 352,067 |
|
Decrease in Fund Balance, 7/01/08 to 6/30/09 |
(41,767) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Liabilities & Fund Balance |
$ 331,184 |