Projects for the Ad Council are accepted based on the following code of practices:

1. The purpose of the Advertising Council of Buffalo is to provide consultation and assistance in the development of communications programs directed toward solving social problems and answering social needs in the Western New York community.

2. The Advertising Council accepts specific projects of community-wide impact by providing professional communications services such as advertising, promotion and public relations. Requests will be evaluated based on the impact of the project upon the community, timeliness of the project, and the resources of the Ad Council necessary to complete the project.

3. Organizations requesting assistance must be officially recognized as tax-exempt charities performing non-profit service, whose primary service area is Western New York. Projects are not accepted from organizations that participate substantially in efforts to influence legislation, affect elections for public office, or espouse the doctrines, beliefs or practices of a particular religious denomination, cult or creed. A minor interest will not necessarily bar an organization from assistance, but the Advertising Council will confine its support to the charitable activities of the organization that are not associated with its political or religious interests.

4. In most cases, the Advertising Council will not help promote fund raising projects: benefits of any kind, such as box office promotions, movies, plays, concerts, auctions, etc.

5. The Advertising Council does not accept as clients those organizations with established communications facilities, e.g. colleges, universities, hospitals, etc., nor government units with city, county, state or federal responsibility, nor (in most cases) clients who have an established relationship with a professional marketing organization. Applicants will be judged on their real need for Advertising Council support. This will be reviewed on a project basis.

6. The Advertising Council coordinator's role is to analyze the organization's communications needs and to provide counseling and services such as basic planning, copy, layouts and rough materials without charge. Although the Ad Council is supported by donated services from the communications industry of Western New York, out-of-pocket charges (e.g., printing, video editing, non-PSA media, etc.) are the responsibility of the client. The Ad Council does not provide funding to clients for approved projects. If an organization's communications need is continuous and of sufficient magnitude, a commercial arrangement with an advertising agency or other service will be suggested. If asked for a recommendation, it is our practice to direct the organization to Brainstorm, which can provide a list of agencies and freelancers in Western New York.

7. Approval of projects is at the discretion and judgement of the Ad Council. All projects must be approved by the Board of Directors of the Advertising Council for inclusion in the program. Advertising Council support may be withdrawn if a review reveals that the client's needs have diminished or its policies have changed. Clients agree to allow Ad Council and Ad Council volunteers to use the finished work for promotional use.

November, 2003