Background -

The Fresno Advertising Federation Foundation was created in 2005 as a 501.c3 non-profit, operating foundation. It is supported by advertising agencies, advertisers, media companies, printing companies, media producers and enlightened citizens. Donations to the Ad Foundation are tax-deductible.

The Foundation proclaims that advertising and marketing are significant forces in the personal and professional lives of all Central Californians. Thus, a realistic understanding of how advertising and marketing work and what they contribute to our social and economic life is important for all.

Activities -

The Fresno Advertising Federation Foundation fosters the creation and circulation of learning programs for Central Californians of all ages, including community-wide conferences, and museum-quality displays about advertising. Specifically, our community conferences explain and illustrate the value of advertising and marketing to the region by illustrating how citizens and businesses benefit from advertising activities, promoting the practice of ethical advertising techniques, and helping people gain a better understanding of how advertising works.

The Fresno Advertising Federation sponsors forums and educational seminars on the value of advertising to the community and business. The Foundation invites the broadest range of the community and business owners to the forums, which feature nationally-known and local speakers covering a wide range of advertising and marketing topics. The forums provide a learning experience for the community, and allow give-and-take sessions for feedback.

The Foundation provides www.fresnoadfoundation.org as an online resource for information about the value of advertising in our community, as well as local and regional advertising and marketing information that people may not be able to find  elsewhere. This site seeks to address broader advertising topics by providing links to the many information-rich sites already in existence. Areas of the site are designed specifically for business owners to learn more about making their own advertising more effective, thus increasing the profitability of their business. Other segments of the site enhance the overall image of advertising and advertising professionals by addressing the myths that often derogate the profession.

The Foundation sponsors and assists the activities of the Jack Moody Community Action Team, a volunteer group of advertising and marketing professionals that develops marketing plans and creates complete advertising and marketing campaigns for local nonprofit organizations. Volunteers from all facets of the industry – creative, account services, production, media and amrketing – donate their time and expertise to this worthwhile annual project.

The Foundation sponsors an annual fund raising auction of media time and space and professional production hours donated by media companies and production studios, providing an opportunity for media outlets to educate and inform local advertisers and agency media buyers. Through this auction, we introduce numerous advertisers to media that are often new to their advertising mix, and usually at a cost far below market value.

The Foundation encourages the advanced study of advertising and marketing through awards of scholarships and internships to students of the highest potential. The Foundation helps develop, manage, promote, and award the John Reed King Scholarship Fund, cash scholarships awarded annually for college students majoring in advertising, marketing, graphic design and public relations.

The Foundation sponsors and supports the California State University, Fresno advertising student’s annual National Student Advertising Competition team. This all-student team from the Department of Mass Communications and Journalism participates annually in the American Advertising Federation-sponsored competition.

The Foundation supports new technologies that advance communications capabilities and provide increased opportunities for expressions of the common good. As new technologies are introduced in the marketplace, the Foundation will work to educate industry professionals, business owners and the public about their value.

The Foundation advocates the establishment of appropriate public landmarks heralding the historical accomplishments of individuals and companies in the Central California advertising and marketing industry. The Foundation supports the development and establishment of a significant Central California public monument that illustrates the value of advertising and marketing in lives and businesses of our citizens.

The Fresno Advertising Federation Foundation will be a unified force for good; a resource, when needed, for those less fortunate, and a calming refuge of information and reflection when the times require. The Foundation intends to develop an “Angel Fund” that can dispense emergency funds, goods and services to members of the advertising and marketing industry who find themselves, urgently, in need.

[ back to top ]