Channel Advantage Initiative

Founded in 2003, the Channel Advantage Partnership (CAP) board directed investment fund initiative offers NAED member companies the opportunity to support, identify, and recommend exclusively-named project funding for the Foundation's research and educational endeavors.  This group serves as a permanent council of the NAED Education & Research Foundation.

There are many ways for individuals, corporations, and other allied organizations to become part of this initiative. Commitments may be pledged, typically paid annually over a period of 5 years. Gifts may also be made to honor or remember specific individuals for their tireless efforts on behalf of their companies as well as the industry. Permanent recognition, in accordance with each partner’s wishes and level of commitment to the Foundation’s Channel Advantage Partnership, is as follows:

Major Partnership Council investors (distributors who commit a minimum of $100,000 and manufacturers who commit a minimum of $250,000) receive public acknowledgement at the National Electrical Leadership Summit meeting, NAED Regional Conferences, and other special events and programs.

Members of the Channel Advantage Partnership Council determine and recommend research topics that impact the operations, profitability, and efficiency of the channel and industry at large. The CAP Partnership Council meets annually and receives regular communications regarding the fund, critical research project updates, and the development of educational programs.

The Associates’ membership is comprised of distributor contributors of $25,000 or more to the Channel Advantage Partnership board directed investment fund. Since 2006, the CAP Associates has operated as a permanent advisory group of board directed investment fund contributors and meets regularly to discuss potential research topics. They also receive recognition at the National Electrical Leadership Summit meeting, NAED Regional Conferences, and other special events and programs. 

Members of the CAP Partnership Council may also serve a 2-year term on the CAP Steering Committee, the governing body of the CAP Council comprised of 4 distributors members, 4 manufacturer members, and Chair of the Partnership Associates.

The projects selected by the CAP Council reflect the issues that impact the industry and channel. To ensure that the research is pertinent and constructive, each project will be assigned a Task Force made up of CAP Council and Associate members. The Task Force monitors and shapes the direction and output of the project by calling upon industry members’ advice, experience, and suggestions.

The success of the Channel Advantage Partnership effort will ensure that the Foundation serves as a highly-focused resource for electrical distributors, manufacturing partners, and customers as a whole. Subject to approval of the NAED Education & Research Foundation and NAED Boards and finance committee, NAED will take annual disbursement of up to 3% of the fund's value to conduct research and create educational content for the NAED Education & Research Foundation.

The electrical distribution industry is indebted to these volunteers for providing funding and guidance for a protected future.