DMANF Honors Chris Cleghorn of Easter Seals

Washington, DC, February 3, 2006 – The Direct Marketing Association’s Nonprofit Federation (DMANF) is pleased to announce that Chris Cleghorn, Executive Vice President, Direct & Interactive Marketing at Easter Seals, has been selected as 2006 recipient of its Max L. Hart Nonprofit Achievement Award. The award, which recognizes outstanding achievement by an individual within the nonprofit community, will be presented on February 17, at the annual Washington Nonprofit Conference.

"We are so pleased to be able to recognize the outstanding contributions that Chris has made to the nonprofit community," said Senny Boone, executive director of DMANF and vice president for strategic alliances at DMA. "Not only is he a leader in creating and implementing fundraising campaigns, Chris goes above-and-beyond to share his experience and help others within the nonprofit community become better fundraisers."

"Whether they realize it or not, most nonprofit organizations have felt the impact of Chris's leadership in postal matters and other key policy decisions protecting them in their fundraising efforts. For his steady and dedicated leadership, we owe him a great debt of gratitude," added Craig Floyd, Chairman and Executive Director of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, and chair of DMANF’s awards committee.

Chris joined Easter Seals in 1983 to establish a comprehensive direct mail program and now oversees direct response fund raising for Easter Seals’ nationwide network of affiliates. In addition, he has responsibility for the development of Easter Seals’ integrated online marketing efforts, planned giving program, development services offerings and individual and major giving initiatives. Chris serves on the board of directors of the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) and is a member of the Advisory Council and Executive Committee of the DMA Nonprofit Federation. He is past Chair of the DMA’s Nonprofit Council, immediate past President of the Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers (ANM) and served on the DMA’s Committee on Ethical Business Practice. Chris continues to serve on the ANM board of directors, is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

The award was initially created in 1990 and renamed last year in honor of Max Hart of Disabled American Veterans, a longtime advocate, supporter and champion of professionalism for the nonprofit fundraising community. Previous recipients include Raymond Grace of Creative Direct Response, Morris Dees of the Southern Poverty Law Center, Roger Courts of the Sacred Heart League, Roger Craver of Craver, Matthews & Smith, and William Begley of the Christian Appalachian Project.

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Since 1982, the DMA Nonprofit Federation and its predecessor organizations have been aggressive and effective advocates for nonprofits in postal, regulatory, legislative, and accountability issues. It has led the way in professional education, networking, and industry advancement. The Federation is the premier agent for improving public awareness and receptivity to direct/interactive marketing-driven philanthropy, and is the ‘top brand’ among all associations and advocacy groups working on behalf of nonprofits in this area. With more than 400 members, the DMANF is one of the largest member segments of the Direct Marketing Association

The Direct Marketing Association (www.the-dma.org) is the leading global trade association of business and nonprofit organizations using and supporting direct marketing tools and techniques. DMA advocates industry standards for responsible marketing, promotes relevance as the key to reaching consumers with desirable offers, and provides cutting-edge research, education, and networking opportunities to improve results throughout the entire direct marketing process. Founded in 1917, DMA today has more than 4,800 corporate, affiliate, and chapter members from the US and 46 other nations, including 55 companies listed on the Fortune 100.

In 2005, companies will spend more than $161 billion on direct marketing in the United States. Measured against total US sales, these advertising expenditures are expected to generate $1.85 trillion in increased sales in 2005, or 7% of the $26 trillion in total sales in the US economy (which includes intermediate sales). All together, direct marketing will account for 10.3% of total US GDP in 2005.