Element Fleet Management contributes $15,000 to kick-start NAFA Foundation Fundraising Campaign

PRINCETON, N.J. – (May 23, 2018) – The NAFA Foundation, a not-for-profit charitable organization formed in 1976 to support the vehicle fleet industry, reached a milestone by raising more than $26,000 in just 10 days – headlined by Element Fleet Management’s $15,000 kick-off pledge.

The NAFA Foundation launched its capital campaign on April 24, 2018, at NAFA Fleet Management Association’s (NAFA) annual Institute & Expo. Element announced its pledge that day, providing significant momentum to the campaign.

“We are inspired by what the NAFA Foundation is going to focus on in 2018,” said Mary Sticha, CAFM®, Senior Vice President of Operational Excellence for Element. “We are particularly interested in the mobility study it has committed to. We feel this is something Element must invest in as it’s a critical component to the future of our industry.”

In addition to Element, several other fleet organizations – including Merchants Fleet Management, Altec, and Lyft – made gifts to the Foundation, as well as many individual donors through an at-event text-to-donate program.

“As the fleet industry makes a rapid transformation into the ‘mobility’ industry, the NAFA Foundation is providing fleet professionals with the building blocks to transform their units, teams, and personal careers to a mobility orientation,” said Phillip E. Russo, CAE, CEO of the NAFA Foundation. “We see a significant need to arm every fleet professional with tools to help them clearly demonstrate their contributions and value to their senior leadership. The industry is enthusiastically embracing these Foundation initiatives.”

The NAFA Foundation will use these funds, plus future support, to engage in multiple efforts to increase the knowledge base of the feet industry, guide professionals through the significant changes impacting the industry, and fund research to advance fleet professionals’ growth.

Among the near-term initiatives of the NAFA Foundation are:

• Commissioning an “issue definition paper” that will offer guidance on how fleet and procurement teams can form a productive partnership that fosters better fleet performance.  This paper will be available in May.
• Teaming up with international mobility expert Lukas Neckermann to develop an in-depth white paper that will include immediate steps for fleet managers to take to embrace mobility options
• Presenting a webinar about the Neckermann mobility paper in early Fall 2018, followed by an in-person workshop on the subject next Spring

Although the campaign kick-off was notable in its success, the NAFA Foundation continues to seek gifts and donations throughout the fleet industry.  Contributions to the NAFA Foundation are tax-deductible under IRS guidelines.  To donate, visit this link.

About the NAFA Foundation
The NAFA Foundation (www.nafafoundation.org) was formed to promote, encourage, support, and assist the vehicle fleet industry.  It also makes grants and gifts to aid in and support persons, institutions, and organizations in the development, maintenance, and expansion of educational programs related to the management of motor vehicle fleets.

About NAFA Fleet Management Association
NAFA Fleet Management Association is the trade organization for professionals who manage the mobility requirements and vehicle fleets of sedans, public safety vehicles, trucks, and buses of all types and sizes; and a wide range of military and off-road equipment for corporations, governments, universities, utility fleets, and law enforcement in North America and across the globe. NAFA’s members are responsible for the specification, acquisition, maintenance, repair, fueling, risk management, and remarketing of more than 4.6 million vehicles that drive an estimated 50 billion miles each year. NAFA’s members control assets and services well in excess of $100 billion each year.

For more information, please visit www.nafa.org, and communicate with NAFA on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.