Focus on the “Foundation”

Paul Grucza

One of the more compelling elements of the Community Associations Institute was the establishment of the Foundation for Community Association Research, or “FCAR,” approximately 40 years ago.

The Foundation, a national, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, was established initially as a partner entity to CAI to be its exploratory and research arm, to spearhead projects and Best Practices for our industry, provide authoritative research and analysis of community data and trends and so much more. The challenge has always been to create an identity for FCAR and to be able to spread the word on just how valuable and how rich with resource FCAR is to our industry and beyond.

As a re-elected Director to the FCAR board, I have the opportunity to work and interact with professionals across the spectrum, association related and otherwise, who, through their engagement have recognized the increasingly critical importance a group such as FCAR is to the future of our industry.

This coming spring, FCAR will be celebrating its 40th  and Growing” is our theme for the conference and beyond. The Research Foundation is essential to our industry and its research including our Industry Fact Book, the Best Practice Series, endowments to create the Salary Survey and bi-annual visits with Zogby Research providing data on the satisfaction community members have with their associations stands as a testament to the importance FCAR brings to our CAI world.

As the Marketing Co-Chair for our anniversary year, we are spearheading some exciting initiatives to gain increased awareness and engagement among our members and non- members alike. We have created the “Thriving Communities Challenge” investing in the future of our industry and showing that you value the Foundation’s data-driven research projects. This donation driven initiative will demonstrate your commitment to the future of FCAR. It is a unique program in which all individuals who donate will have an opportunity for visibility at conference next year and beyond. Watch for a special email from FCAR on this topic in the near future.

It is so important that you and your boards support and contribute to the Foundation to allow us to continue with important work benefiting our industry. Make sure you mark the dues check off on your CAI membership application or renewal and teach your boards the benefits that Foundation participation provides.

24 Community Associations Journal | October 2014