Tag Archives: non-profit

Drives for Lives – October 10, 2011

Posted on by

On October 10th, the Drives for Lives Foundation held its annual charity golf outing benefitting the non-profit Jill Just Wants 2 Help (JJW2H).  Sponsored by Physicians National Bank, Pediatric Dental Associates, and over 75 other companies and individuals, the event raised over $48,000 for JJW2H, which is more than four times the amount raised last year!

I am so impressed with this organization. JJW2H is a non-profit that works with the Patient and Family Services (PFS) program at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center to provide make gifts to families needing financial assistance while their children are hospitalized for cancer treatment. They help fund the often overlooked additional costs of having a child receiving cancer treatment: like the expense of constantly needing a babysitter for other children at home, the burden of staying in hotels and eating out to be near the hospital, even gas to get back and forth to the hospital. One day Jill Just Wants 2 Help aims to build “Jill’s House,” which will serve as a place for families to stay and be close to a child/young adult requiring full-time care in the hospital.

On a rare 85-degree day in October, the sun was shining on the 8th Annual Drives for Lives Golf Outing at Green Valley Country Club in Lafayette Hill. We had a great turn out. Event co-chairs Steve Marino, owner of Lucky Dog Saloon & Grille, and Dr. Philip T. Siegel, founder of JJW2H, welcomed the field of 127 golfers to the shotgun, best ball scramble.  The Sixers dancers and team mascot Hip-Hop were on hand to send everyone off. Volunteers sold raffle tickets throughout the day for a diamond ring donated by Bucci Jewelers and a 42” plasma television donated by World Wide Stereo. Special thanks to the team at J2 Communications for securing these items (and all their assistance that day1)

After a full day of play, golfers and several non-golfing friends enjoyed cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a plentiful buffet in Green Valley Country Club’s ballroom. A silent auction featured items such as VIP tickets to The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, a “Legends of Philly” baseball bat signed by 20 famous Phillies, and a week stay in Hawaii. The most popular item, the chance to have a sandwich on the Lucky Dog Saloon & Grille’s menu, went for $1000. Actually, it was so popular, that we went to the two highest bidders and offered to name a sandwich after each of them if they would both do $1000. And they said YES!

One of the best parts of the event was when Dr. Phil Siegel got up and thanked all the sponsors and guests and said his daughter Jillian would have been thrilled with the day. JJW2H was formed in memory of Jillian Siegel, who lost her battle with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in 2009 at the age of 20. While her life was short, she lived every moment to the fullest, and focused her energy on addressing the well-being of those around her. She had a particularly soft spot for helping kids, especially those less fortunate than her. Not allowing anything to interfere with her unlimited energy to help others, she continued to raise $3,000 for the Penn State University Dance Marathon – commonly referred to as THON – from her hospital bed while receiving chemo to fight her own cancer. What an amazing young woman.

It was a great day for a great cause. Join us next year!

10 Elements of Successful Fundraising Galas – Part 3

Posted on by

I am so lucky to be working with 3 clients with fantastic Committees. Each one is a little different – one super professional, filled with business people, they get the job done; one incredibly creative, brimming with new ideas and energy at every meeting; and the third I just want to drink beer with all the time (and we frequently do at our meetings!). A good committee is essential for a successful fundraiser. They have to gel together, be committed and hard working and keep the mission and goals in sight. Oh yeah, and they have to be able to MAKE THE ASKS! So with that, Part 3 is:

COMMITTEE. A strong, engaged Event Committee is essential for a successful fundraising event. Form your Committee as early as possible – at least 9-12 months out from the proposed event date. Committee members should be passionate about the mission, committed to participating fully in the process and have a clear understanding of their role as committee members. Committees plan the elements of the event and ask for financial and in-kind support from their network. Everyone must help with the fundraising, whether it’s making in-person asks, making introductions to prospects or contributing contacts to the master solicitation list, writing and mailing solicitation and thank-you letters. Fundraising is more than just soliciting!

I’m slammed with work for the next few weeks. When I reemerge, we’ll talk about Part 4, your Network.

10 Elements of Successful Fundraising Galas – Part 2

Posted on by

We’re back after almost 24 hours with no power. Hurricane Irene was not as bad as we thought it would be but it sure is nice to be able to get online again!

Part 2 of the list of 10 Elements of Successful Fundraisers:

BUDGET and PROJECTIONS. It is very important to do projections for event revenue against the costs to put on the event. Keep expenses as lean as possible, while strongly pursuing sponsorships and selling tickets. But recognize that some expenses are absolutely necessary in order to have an event that people want to return to year after year. And with a new event, be prepared for the possibility of low revenue or only breaking even in the first year. Doing realistic revenue projections will help your organization to know whether or not an event is the right fundraising vehicle to pursue for your goals.

Most of my clients have no problem with the expense side of things, but can struggle to come up with the income projections. It can feel like “crystal-ball guessing,” as one client put it.

If there is past history for an event, that can be extremely helpful. Any new additions/changes to the program and outside issues such as our challenging economic conditions have to be taken into account, but generally past history helps lay the groundwork for future revenue stream projections. When an event is completely new, that’s when diligent research comes into play. The demographics of attendees/sponsors, competitive analysis of the events of other similar organizations and determining what the market will bear for pricing are all vital to coming up with realistic projections.

I sit down with my clients to do this work up front when we start working on an event. It’s time consuming but well worth the effort! In fact, I have some projections to work on now for a brand new event.

Next time we’ll discuss the role of the Committee in a successful gala. Cheers!

10 Elements of Successful Fundraising Galas – Part 1

Posted on by

I recently spoke at Capacity for Change’s Summer Camp, an annual gathering of non-profit leaders in the Chester County area. I put together a handout on Important Elements for a Successful Fundraising Gala and I thought I should share them with you all as well. So here is #1:

  1. STRATEGIC PLANNING. Special events raise an organization’s profile in the community and generate much needed funds. But not all non-profits should undertake a fundraising gala. Do you have the manpower in staff and volunteers? Do you have a broad and strong prospect list to raise money? Do you have money for up front costs? Does an event align with your strategic plan? If not, your organization can start small with site tours or backyard bbqs, and reevaluate a large special event at a later date.

I can’t tell you how important this step is. And it can be brushed off, in the excitement around throwing an event. But I always urge my clients to take a hard look at their strategic plan and their resources before launching an event. Gala events are great tools for fundraising but they have to be properly planned for and there needs to be the right level of underlying support from corporate partners, donors and volunteers to have them make money.

Stay tuned for Part 2 – everyone’s favorite, Budgets and Projections!