Checkoffs : new approaches to funding research, development, and conservation programs

Checkoffs are self-imposed levies on consumers, producers, or industry groups that are used by financially strapped public agencies to supplement publicly funded programs or to fund programs that the private sector is unable to finance. Following an introduction, Part 2 of the guide makes the case for checkoffs, describing their basic elements, advantages, and disadvantages. It also discusses the entities that must participate in checkoff development as well as the minimum requirements for a successful checkoff. The purpose of this section is to familiarize readers with the checkoff option so that they can decide whether checkoffs represent a viable option for financing their organization"s activities. Part 3 provides more detailed information. The steps involved in creating a checkoff are described, as are the design issues involved in developing a checkoff. At the close of Part 3, a reader should have enough information to begin the development of a checkoff. Appendices present three brief case studies of a checkoff. Two are American checkoffs: the soybean checkoff and the carambola checkoff. The first is nationwide in scope and generates millions of dollars a year, while the second operates in only one or two Florida counties and generates several thousand dollars per year. In spite of differences in scale, both are successful and both are fully developed checkoffs. The final checkoff is an African checkoff sponsored by a hotel chain -- the Sheraton "Going Green" Program. This checkoff lacks many of the participatory elements of the American checkoffs but compensates for this shortcoming by making it extremely easy for contributors to obtain refunds at the point of payment. (Author abstract, modified)