The target is to finance at least 50% of the activities by public sector funding, and that the rest is funded by user fees, sponsor support, support memberships and donations.

Main sponsors

The Competence Centre will enter into close sponsor agreements with a small number of companies, each contributing approximately NOK 100.000 a year, primarily based on three year agreements.

The sponsor agreements are based on contributions and counter-contributions, where the Competence Centre, in addition to logo exposure and positive media coverage, also contribute positively to the company’s internal culture and its reputation for accepting social responsibilities. For instance, Sound of Happiness offers concerts in connection with company events, and lectures describing methods that enable mentally disabled people to break barriers and contribute much more than anyone thought possible – and how the joy of mastering challenges and crossing boundaries is a stimulus for further personal growth.

As a part of the sponsor agreement, the parties agree on how the company will be profiled on websites, in ads, in fund applications and information letters to municipalities, organizations and users in the region (the Vest-Agder and Aust-Agder counties), on fliers, posters and programmes distributed in connection with concerts and festivals, on T-shirts, caps, jackets etc. The agreements also include exposure in connection with concrete projects like CD recordings, the calendar, the SOH festival, the Latvia project, concert tours etc.

So far, main sponsor agreements have been made with Dale+Bang Kommunikasjon for the years 2004-2006. The aim is to achieve agreements with at least two major companies in the region before the end of 2006.

Other sponsors and assistance providers

In addition to the main sponsors, SOH aims for a broad spectre of partners and sponsors who will finance projects and activities in the NOK 5000–NOK 50.000 range. These are sponsors who contribute in a more limited way to realizing projects and achieving goals, through contributions to the organization in general, or to specific activities. Agreements containing details about contributions and counter-contributions will be agreed upon case by case, based on annual or more long term agreements. So far, this kind of agreement has been made with Colorline, Plussbank, Agder Energi, Bauer Energi, Ernst Hotell and Merlink Coaching for 2006 in connection with the very succesful event “A meeting with Wenche Foss” at the regional art museum. (Wenche Foss is the most prominent Norwegian actress.)

Many people regard the work of Sound of Happiness as important and valuable to society, and donations from supportive individuals constitute a crucial part of financing our activities. Some of the donors wish to be publicised, while others want complete anonymity. We respect the donors’ wishes in every respect, and manage the funds in a responsible way.

Individuals who sign up as supporting members pay a fixed fee of NOK 250 per year. In addition to this, we receive many donations in the NOK 100—NOK 10.000 range.

Financial development

Account and budget for the period 1999-2008                  All figures are in thousands

The first years were a constant struggle to survive, but the Competence Centre has never compromised the quality of the education. This means that there has been, and will continue to be, a need for significant voluntary efforts. Combined with firm financial control during these years, voluntary work has resulted in a stable activity level. But there is no doubt that there is a need to make a solid effort in 2006 to raise the income by at least an annual NOK 0,5 million, to salvage the 2005 deficit and ensure future activity at the present level.

Art File

Several renowned artists support Sound of Happiness, and in the spring of 2006 we launched an Art File which in an original and positive way will raise sorely needed funds for the organization. We are extremely grateful that some of Norway’s most prolific and highly profiled artists are so positive, and look forward to the results of this venture.

Calendar

The Sound of Happiness Calendar was produced for the first time in 2005, and the 2006 edition was an excellent follow-up. Through this project, we have established a nice, income generating tradition; a calendar where companies can get involved and contribute financially. We are very grateful that the business community supports our activities through projects like this.