Why I Give

“Why I Give” is a campaign asking NOMMA Education Foundation (NEF) donors to share why they support the organization. Today, Rob Rolves of Foreman Fabricators and the current NEF Chair shares his why.

There are countless charities to which one can donate, and I certainly do contribute. The reason I concentrate more of my charitable donations to NEF is that metal fabrication is the center of my professional life. If my team is performing well, it removes much stress from our lives. When our own house is in order, we’re able to help others.

NOMMA is where information on metal fabrication and running a fabrication business is most dense. I get information on technical issues and advice on how to face small business challenges. NEF gives me a tax advantaged way to help keep the knowledge easy to access and able to be updated. I know that the NEF will use those funds to help NOMMA update and refine the presentations.

I can get all of these benefits just by my NOMMA membership, but I’ve been to many NEF and NOMMA events and am fully aware of all the extra effort that goes on behind the scenes. I feel I get more value out of my membership than just what I pay in dues. The other contributions to NEF let me feel like I’m starting to even the ledger a bit.

I believe that NOMMA and NEF are good for my business and industry, which is why I’ve also committed time to help at events and serve on boards. I will continue to support NOMMA through NEF and will even have NEF as a beneficiary to my estate.