AIESEC Life does a pretty amazing job of operating on a shoe-string budget.

We employ one part-time employee (me) but, other than that, our organization has been built on the backs of dozens and dozens of volunteers. They work behind the scenes to keep our programs humming (think database management, bookkeeping, content writing, social tweeting, event planning, website management, etc). These volunteers (see our diverse list of Hub Leaders & AIESEC Life Team Members here) field hundreds of emails from inquiring alumni and students wanting to know how they can connect to each other and how they can get more involved.   And, while many of us tend to the minute, mundane tasks that go with running any organization, several of our alumni work as members of our Board of Directors and gather quarterly to review, consider, plan and coach the AIESEC Life team on effective organizational management and ideas.  Not only do they give freely of their time (Of course! They love AIESEC!), but they give freely of their resources.  They pay their own way to attend our yearly retreats. They sponsor others to come and they give cash or provide in-kind donations whenever possible just to make sure our bills (few, but real) are paid.  AIESEC Life does not operate on an endowment. We are not funded by AIESEC US.  We operate in part from: a) commitments made by some very genereous alumni known as the Founders Circle, b) by the membership fees so many of you willingly pay, and c) by our Supporters Circle. These are the alumni who elect to give year-to-year anywhere from $500 to $2,500 per year. Below is a brief picture of the support we’ll need in 2012 to operate.

 

When AIESEC Life was launched in 2008, it was powered by the funds given by the Founders Circle.  However, as we have grown, we are now looking to expand our base of supporters from the few generous alumni who make up our Founders Circle to the broader group of alumni that we know value our association as much as we do.

Alumni who would consider joining our Supporters Circle this year are encouraged to look at our AIESEC Life 2012 Proposal for Support and at our 2011 Financial Summary. If we can count on you to join our 2012 roster of supporters – please let us know! Questions about benefits extended to our supporters can be viewed here or by contacting me at karen@aieseclife.org.

View the video above from alumnus Peter Stewart (Ga Tech ’96/IC OCP ’97) on why he gives to AIESEC Life. Peter is a current member of the AIESEC US Board of Directors and a member of the AIESEC Life Leadership Circle.  He is currently a Senior Vice President of Collaboration Services & Technology at PGi.

Please also know AIESEC Life, Inc. is a qualified 501(c)(3) organization by the Internal Revenue Service, and contributions made to AIESEC Life, Inc. are eligible as charitable contributions for Federal income tax purposes to the extent allowed by law. 

 

“I joined AIESEC Life to give back but have received far more in return. Alumni members of AIESEC Life who are entrepreneurs have become an unexpected source of mentorship, investment, and inspiration as I build my company. AIESEC Life creates inter-generational friendships which are a secret weapon that makes all of our lives more fulfilling.”   Sarah Endline  MCP, AIESEC US (96-97), AIESEC Life Leadership Circle

“AIESEC Life provides a bridge between AIESECers of old with those who are currently working hard to grow the organization and themselves.”  Randy Salim  Regional VP, AIESEC US (‘88-’89), AIESEC Life Founders Circle

“AIESEC Life is inspiring alums in the United States to live their lives in line with the values they learned in AIESEC by connecting alums with each other and back to AIESEC for ideas, resources and mutual learning.” Jeff Popiel,   MCP, AIESEC US (’94-‘95)  Director, AIESEC International (’95-‘96),  AIESEC Life Founders Circle