Sponsorships
Partnering with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) means increasing your brand recognition, building relations, and boosting sales leads. There are many different collaboration opportunities for your company.
Use the tabs on this page to learn more about each opportunity, or download the PDF version of our sponsorship toolkit here. If you have any questions, are ready to get started, or are interested in discussing a customized partnership, fill out this form or contact Meg Goldberg, engagement manager, at 202.887.5700 x117 or meg@nvfc.org.
What is the NVFC?
Two thirds of the nation’s firefighters are volunteers. As the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services, first responders look to us to provide critical resources, programs, education, and advocacy.
The needs of volunteer first responders are great – and sponsorships provide an opportunity to be a part of ongoing efforts to bring training, education, and resources to the volunteer first responder community.
In a 2022 membership survey, members told us they need:
These are all areas that your company can support.
Why Partner With the NVFC?
With a strong base of 28,000+ members, the NVFC is your company’s conduit to connecting with your desired target audience of volunteer firefighters, EMS providers, and rescue personnel.
By partnering with the NVFC, you can:
- Increase brand recognition
- Build relations
- Boost sales leads
NVFC partners receive various integrated outreach opportunities such as training, meeting participation, and advertising. Additionally, partners have the unique position to:
We are committed to offering our partners valuable and effective custom packages that are tailored to meet their company’s outreach goals.
Learn more about the NVFC and our initiatives by reviewing our 2022 Annual Report and Annual Report Infographic:
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Joining the NVFC as a corporate member affiliates your brand with the leading organization serving and supporting the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue forces.
The benefits of corporate membership:
What’s included with all corporate memberships:
- The opportunity to attend, network, and sponsor NVFC conferences and meetings
- Year-long recognition and company description with a link on the NVFC web site
- Opportunity to participate in “Volunteer Thank You” co-sponsored ads that appear in April and November issues of Fire Engineering Magazine (additional fee may apply)
- Opportunity to participate in the NVFC Health & Safety Fundraising Auction with donated item(s)
- The ability to promote your support of the NVFC with use of a “Proud Member” logo
- Acknowledgement in materials and events throughout the year
- Complimentary and discounted advertising on the NVFC web site and enewsletter
- Monthly updates from the NVFC CEO
- Free subscription to NVFC newsletters
There are five levels of corporate membership, so you can select the level that aligns with your company’s goals. Learn more about the benefits of each level and join at www.nvfc.org/join (scroll down to the corporate membership dropdown). View our current corporate members here.
Training is consistently the number one resource requested by NVFC members. Involvement via sponsorship can help your company build a presence through virtual training, conferences, and meetings.
Virtual Classroom
Course topics include: |
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The Virtual Classroom is the NVFC’s online learning center with on-demand and self-paced courses delivered by fire and emergency service subject matter experts. Sponsored courses provide volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue forces the ability to learn and be better prepared and equipped to do their jobs and serve their communities. With the cost-savings of online learning, this is a highly sought-after training option.
You can choose to either sponsor an existing NVFC course or sponsor the development of a new course. In return, you will receive:
- Six-month visibility and recognition
- Logo on title page as sponsor
- Logo, 2-3 sentence company statement, and URL on last slide as training sponsor
- Sponsor recognition in training promotion
- Opportunity to provide content expert
- Opt-in registration list
- Full NVFC administrative support
Cost: $1,500 existing and available course / $3,500 new course development or course update
Train Strong Webinar Series
Webinars topics in 2023 (subject to change): |
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The NVFC provides a monthly Train Strong webinar series to the fire and emergency services. Sponsored webinars allow for education to be timely, diverse, and have the capacity to respond to emerging issues quickly. Webinars also allow for the flexibility to listen live or watch the recording when it’s convenient. The Train Strong webinars are free to attend, popular, and have very positive survey results.
By sponsoring a Train Strong webinar, you will receive:
- Webinar administered and hosted by the NVFC
- Logo on title page as sponsor
- Logo, 2-3 sentence company statement, and URL on last slide
- Sponsor recognition in pre- and post-promotion
- The opportunity to provide content expert
- Opt-in registration list
Cost: $1,500
Roundtable Talks topics in 2023 (subject to change): |
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Roundtable Talks
Roundtable Talks are delivered monthly via Zoom and Facebook and provide another way to reach out to the NVFC audience with topical and timely information. Sponsored discussions allow the NVFC to react quickly and bring together the right combination of experts. By broadcasting them simultaneously on Zoom and Facebook they also enable a wider audience.
By sponsoring a Roundtable Talk, you will receive:
- Discussion administered and hosted by the NVFC
- Sponsor recognition at the beginning and end of the session
- Logo, 2-3 sentence company statement on promotions
- Recognition in social media posts
- The opportunity to provide content expert
- Increased brand awareness among a wider audience
Cost: $1,500
Board Meetings
Available opportunities and their costs: |
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The NVFC Spring and Fall Meetings are a gathering of 100 influential national leaders – NVFC board of directors (state fire service association representatives), corporate members, fire service partners, allied association executives and officers, and government officials. Being part of an NVFC board meeting is an important and key business strategy. It provides access to NVFC leadership, allows you the opportunity to participate in committees and hear the volunteer perspective, and invites you to be part of the conversation as it develops.
By sponsoring a live panel discussion, you will receive:
- Access to state fire service association influencers
- Logo recognition on all meeting materials
- Meeting visibility with signage and podium recognition
- Complimentary registration (number based on sponsor level)
- Company information in gathering room and meeting app
- And more, based on sponsorship level
Key 2023 dates:
- Spring Meeting — May 19-21, 2023, Arlington, VA
- Fall Meeting — Sept. 20-2022, 2023, Cooperstown, NY
Conferences
Available opportunities and their costs: |
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The NVFC’s in-person training conferences are two-day events that focus on critical fire and emergency service topics including leadership, responder health and safety, wildland firefighting, and volunteer recruitment and retention. These are popular events with fire chiefs, firefighters, and department leadership. The attendance of these events is kept to approximately 100, allowing better opportunities for personal connections and networking. Sponsors have direct access to attendees at featured social events.
By sponsoring an NVFC training conference, you will receive:
- Logo recognition on all meeting materials and webpage
- Meeting visibility with signage and podium recognition
- One complimentary registration
- Company information on resource table and in meeting app
- Opt-in registration list
Key 2023 dates:
- Regional Wildland Symposium — March 17-18, 2023, Rapid City, SD
- Training Summit — June 23-24, 2023, Oklahoma City, OK
NVFC First Responder Helpline
Being a first responder can take a serious toll on mental health as well as relationships and physical well-being. Unfortunately, many volunteer fire and EMS departments aren’t equipped with an employee assistance program (EAP) or immediate resources to assist. Thanks to the NVFC’s First Responder Helpline, offered through Provident, accessing help is now a phone call away.
Sponsoring this national helpline will get critical support to the NVFC’s more than 28,000 members and their household family. This member benefit provides immediate access to help with up to five free confidential counseling sessions as well as consultations and resource referrals on any number of stressors – job, family, financial – as well as mental health/suicide crisis. If necessary, long-term treatment can be arranged. Your financial commitment will ensure our heroes are taken care of in their time of need.
There are four tiers of support available. Partners will be recognized for a 12-month period, which includes:
View the sponsorship levels and details here.
The NVFC provides several mediums for advertising:
Dispatch Newsletter
The Dispatch is a bi-weekly e-newsletter providing news, information, NVFC training announcements, and links to resources. Each issue is limited to 4 advertisers. By advertising in Dispatch, corporate sponsors can increase visibility, improve brand awareness, and heighten recognition for their products and services.
Subscribers: 28,500+
Average Open Rate: 31%
Cost: $300/insert
Size: 540px x 90px
NOTE: NVFC Corporate Members receive complimentary ads based on membership level and receive 20% discount off published rates for additional ads.
Web Site
Ads on the NVFC web site appear in the upper right corner of interior pages and run for 30 days. By advertising on the NVFC web site, corporate partners can increase visibility, improve brand awareness, and heighten recognition for their products and services.
Average monthly visits: 24,000
Average unique visitors: 19,000
Average monthly pageviews: 25,700
(*must contract for 12 months to receive discounted rate)
Size: 120px x 300px
NOTE: NVFC Corporate Members receive complimentary ads based on membership level and receive 20% discount off published rates for additional ads.
Firefighter Strong
The NVFC’s annual print publication, Firefighter Strong, is a 24-page newsletter that gets mailed to 24,000 volunteer and combination fire departments, distributed at trade shows and events, and emailed to the NVFC’s 28,000+ subscriber list. This popular publication features content relating to the health and safety of emergency responders.
Ads are limited to ensure each sponsor gets prime exposure.
Issue date: June 2023
Ad reservation deadline: April 3, 2023
Materials and payment due: April 24, 2023
Wall Calendar
The NVFC released a health and safety focused wall calendar in 2019 and 2022/3. Due to its success, we are looking to bring it back in 2024.
This high-quality calendar will be used for important dates and the announcement of special activities within the fire service. Monthly health and safety messages will also be front and center at the fire station.
Advertising in the 2024 Calendar enables corporate sponsors to increase visibility to members, publication readers, and the fire service; heighten recognition in the volunteer community; and align themselves with the national advocacy organization that speaks for the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue forces.
Circulation: 2,500 / NVFC events, trade shows, and fire department fulfillment requests
Cost: $1,000/month or $10,000 Exclusive
Fire Service Achievement Awards
The NVFC annually honors volunteers whose achievements in the fire service and community exemplify outstanding performance. All awards are currently sponsored. Contact Meg Goldberg at 202.887.5700 ext. 117 to discuss options should an award sponsorship become available.
Heather Schafer Memorial Scholarship Fund
In memory of the legacy of long-time NVFC CEO Heather Schafer, a scholarship was established. This scholarship recognizes exemplary future leaders in public safety for their work to improve the delivery of the fire and emergency services in the areas of health, safety, leadership, and emergency response. Recipients will be able to attend and participate in an NVFC in-person training event or conference.
Cost: $1,500 per scholarship (multiple scholarships may be sponsored)