CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP OF VARUNA, THE WRITERS' HOUSE

WHY DOES VARUNA NEED SPONSORSHIP?

Writing is a long and personal journey. Unlike many arts disciplines the final output or production of the work may take years of continuous review and revision. For 15 years The Eleanor Dark Foundation at Varuna has provided a unique environment in which Australian writers from all genres and disciplines can meet as a community of writers, retreat to work, and gain support from peer artists.

Varuna's government funding from the NSW Ministry for the Arts and the Australia Council for the Arts comprises less than 50% of the income we need to provide services to writers and maintain Varuna as a viable entity. Our income is supplemented by contributions from our Alumni and Community Associations, and from the writers attending Varuna on retreats and programs.

We are very grateful for this support but in order to maintain and extend our programs we need to seek additional funds and seek sponsorship for specific elements of our program.

WHAT IS SPONSORSHIP?

A sponsorship as defined by ICAC is a contribution in money or kind, generally by the corporate and government sector or private individuals, in support of an individual related activity, in return for agreed benefit(s). It is an agreement between Varuna and another organisation in which the sponsor publicly endorses an activity and ties its reputation with Varuna.

SPONSORSHIP PRINCIPLES - INFORMATION FOR POTENTIAL SPONSORS

MUTUAL BENEFIT

• Varuna recognises that successful partnerships depend on both parties gaining something. Each should make efforts to understand the internal culture of and external pressures on the other.
• The broad benefits which each expects to gain should be openly set out during initial discussions.

INTEGRITY AND OPENNESS

• Sponsorship is considered a business arrangement; therefore all aspects must be clear and explicit to all parties involved.
• All agreements are exchanged in writing and sponsors are required to endorse and abide by Varuna's sponsorship policy.
• All sponsorship agreements shall be evaluated and approved by Varuna's Board or designated Board representative.
• There will be an annual review
• Board Members or employees of Varuna will receive no personal benefit from a sponsor/sponsorship.

RECOGNITION

Varuna supports a formal Recognition Program for sponsors to acknowledge their contributions. Form and content of such recognition will be approved by the Board, based on recommendations from the Management Team, and specified in the sponsorship agreement.

ALIGNMENT WITH VARUNA'S VALUES

• Varuna is located in a UNESCO designated World Heritage Area. The Dark family has long been associated with protection of the environment. Any organisation that is or perceived by the Varuna Board to be associated with negative impact on the environment is not acceptable for sponsorship.
• Sponsoring organizations must have no expectations of having any impact on any values, policies, goals, objectives, services or operations of Varuna.
• The Board reserves the right to refuse any sponsorship opportunity deemed to be inappropriate to the mission, goals and best interests of Varuna.
• The Board reserves the right to terminate existing agreements should conditions arise during the life of the agreement that no longer support the interests of Varuna or conflict with the Sponsorship Policy.
• Sponsorships do not automatically imply exclusive endorsement by Varuna.
• Any use of the name and/or logo of Varuna must be approved by the Board. Varuna should be consulted whenever and wherever sponsors, for both internal and external communications, use its name. Approval must be sought for any copy produced which refers to Varuna.

SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT

All sponsorship proposals and agreements are to be appropriately documented outlining terms and conditions, and expectations of both parties of the sponsorship. It should include but not be limited to:

• Objectives of the sponsorship
• Conditions of the sponsorship
• Period of the sponsorship
• Recognition to be provided by Varuna
• Evaluation strategy

Sponsors may provide their sponsorship agreement OR a standard agreement for sponsorship will be provided to sponsors by Varuna. The Board and sponsor representative will approve any modifications by the sponsor

If you are considering becoming a sponsor please contact the Executive Director, Madeleine Dignam, at Varuna.

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