The Funding Model: Beneficiary Builder Membership Model

By offering and teaching evidence-based mind-body modalities to cancer survivors and their loved ones/caretakers, we will transform intangible know-how and service into a very real tangible benefit. The value will be in improving (however small that improvement might be at first) a cancer survivor’s situation and quality of life. Essentially, while we will be getting a “fee-for-service,” we will also build long-term relationships and loyalty among most of our “clients.”

Some nonprofits are reimbursed for services that they provide to specific individuals, but rely on people who have benefited in the past from these services for additional donations. The funding model used by these organizations is called the “Beneficiary Builder.”

The beneficiary builder model allows us to position the Absenger Cancer Education Foundation (ACEF) in a way that will allow cancer survivors to build community. Instead of only relying on gifts and endowments (which will gladly accept) to fund ACEF, we envision a beneficiary membership model by offering individual and caretaker memberships. Think of it as a self-care club for survivors.

As the membership grows, the membership fees will allow the Absenger Cancer Education Foundation (ACEF) to offer individual and group programs at steeper discounts while allowing for above average compensation for providers. Finding and retaining expert practitioners will be a challenge. Developing a compensation package for expert practitioners will be key to becoming a leader in Wellthcare in Cancer Survivorship. Once the membership momentum builds, this model will allow us to meet cancer survivors’ needs regardless of ability to pay.

Besides the grants and other funding we will be pursuing and receiving, as membership grows, we will be able to allocate some membership monies to fund smaller research projects without relying on the grant funding mechanism. Think of this aspect of the membership model as crowd-funding.

In short, much of the design of the Absenger Cancer Education Foundation (ACEF) membership program will be to increase the financial and operational stability of the organization. Members will receive services and products at discounts over non-members. Members will receive the opportunity for advanced registration for classes and reduced rates or FREE specialty classes and educational events. We envision two membership levels, at slightly different contribution levels.

The Absenger Cancer Education Foundation Membership categories and pricing are:

Survivor/Loved One/Caretaker Membership: $39/month

We realize that cancer does not only affect the patient, but diagnosis and treatment have a great impact on cancer patients’ loved ones/caretakers. For this reason, we are offering a caretaker membership that will enable two (2) members of the same household to enjoy membership benefits at reduced monthly dues, when compared to our individual membership.

Individual Membership: $29/month

Individual members will enjoy discounts to products and services. An individual membership will allow a person to receive 50% off of most of our regular priced services.

If you consider providing financial support to the Absenger Cancer Education Foundation, please bear in mind that donating $29 or $39 or more on a monthly basis will include membership benefits, regardless whether or not you are a cancer survivor. Subsequently, if you provide a one-time gift of $300 (individual) or $425 (caretaker) or more you’ll be able to enjoy months of valuable instructions in self-care at 50% OFF of almost all of our programs and services. Membership is open to anyone. You don’t have to be affected by cancer to benefit from our evidence-based mind body programs.

Drop-In/No Membership

We understand that some people are more at ease without making a commitment at all. It bears worthwhile mentioning that the Absenger Cancer Education Foundation (ACEF) will offer its services to drop-in visitors and clients at prevailing “market” fees.

However, we believe that if you use our services more than once a month, you’ll benefit greatly from a paid membership. Please feel free to stop by and visit us anytime to see how the Absenger Cancer Education Foundation (ACEF) is changing the way we approach survivorship care in West Michigan.

There are no long-term contracts or commitments, and if you decide that our programs are not for you, you may cancel your membership at any time, no questions asked.