Every spring many nonprofits host fundraising balls and galas, but this year organizations are having to find creative and less expensive ways to put on their “glitter balls.”
Organizations must be thrifty with their money not only because of money’s shortage, but because of donors’ sensitivities. Robert F. Sharpe Jr., a fundraising consultant, said “Organizations that throw a big party right now will have to answer questions about why they are spending money frivolously.” He mentioned that two large organizations (which he declined to name) lost previously pledged donations because contributors were upset by the lavish fundraisers the non-profits had organized.
However, many organizations have found creative ways to cut costs. For example, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, a board member of the Food Allergy Initiative, and her friend Heather Mnuchin, a supporter of City Harvest, discovered their two charities were having fundraisers at the same venue, but a few hours apart. Once they realized this, they were able to “cut more than half of the costs of the events for both of our organizations” by using the same décor, flower arrangements, candles, and sound and lighting equipment. The attendees of the Food Allergy Initiative’s lunch had tables with topiaries, and when City Harvest’s guests arrived for their event a few hours later, the same topiaries graced the tables. Wolkoff said “You have to think outside of the box. You can’t just think in the old way based on the budgets we had in the past.”
In New York, David Stark, who plans events for charities and organizations, washed and repainted discarded wine bottles used during the Metropolitan Opera’s 125th anniversary gala. Then, he used the bottles as vases for a New Yorkers for Children benefit.
Last fall, Only Make Believe, an organization that presents theater performances for hospitalized children, held a “Make Believe” gala, inviting contributors to make a donation and stay home. The event grossed $95,000 compared to the $250,000 which it usually grosses. However, “it was about 95% less expensive, and much more of the gift fell to the bottom line […] On top of that, it saved us the time of our limited staff,” reported Katie Hall, the nonprofit’s executive director. For the organization’s 10th anniversary celebration this year, Hall said they are considering serving cocktails instead of a full dinner.
Finally, Guide Dogs for the Blind decided to relinquish large dinners and auctions in order to host smaller gatherings in donors’ homes. Andy Eber, the director of development at Guide Dogs said, “With the economy hammering philanthropy, that decision proved to be wise. Nonprofits like us are searching for ways to cultivate the emotional connection of our donors to our mission, and these donor-hosted events are the perfect setting for that.”
There are still ways to host fun and successful fundraisers this spring. All it takes is a little creativity.
Information taken from: Stephanie Strom. “Recession Fails to Halt Spring Charity Benefits.” The New York Times. 8 May 2009.
-- Ashley High is a Research Assistant at Christian Foundation Grants (www.christianfoundationgrants.com) which is a subscription database of foundations that provide grants to faith based organizations. iDonate.com is a website (www.iDonate.com) that allows ministries to receive non cash gifts online.