| Question?
Dear Event Planner,
I am looking for a theme for some type of fundraising event for a library. I do
not want the typical author dinner or award for a community person event. I am
looking for something fresh, fun and a good way to raise money. I want to know
what trends are hot right now in the event industry.
Lara, Fremont,
California The Event Planner Responds:
Dear Reader, You
are to be congratulated for your "worthy works"! Any endeavor that supports libraries
and literacy is to be commended. Your question poses a dilemma that many event
planners face. As we would not want our potential guests to be bored by attending
the same old events, keeping things fresh and new is something that we all strive
to accomplish in the arena of fundraising. To this end, I contacted a few of my
colleagues in the event planning business. No one could tell me of any new "trends"
in the business. So I started thinking of what kinds of things would make me want
to part with my money and I have a few ideas. Not knowing the size of the event
that you would like to have is a problem in determining what type of event to
suggest. I have made the assumption that the target donor is African-American;
however, race may be a consideration when providing entertainment. Whether you
are having a large-scale event for 1000 or more persons, or something small and
intimate in order to court your donors of large sums, I will propose a few ideas
in both categories. For a formal, elegant occasion, a Gala with a theme
can be quite enjoyable. "Harlem Nights," "An Evening on the Riviera," or "A Black
and White Affair" are themes that can be considered. As long as there is an opulent
setting, first-rate food, fine wine and great music, your organization can command
an expensive ticket price. If your organization has a relationship with
a famous benefactor, you can enlist this celebrity to host an event on behalf
of your foundation. It may be something intimate like a tea or a larger event
like an open house held in the home of the famous person. Potential donors love
to feel as if they are "insiders" by being invited someplace special. If
you are planning for a smaller, more informal group, perhaps a Coffee House with
storytelling or Poetry Slam would be a change of pace. Silent or live auctions
are also excellent fundraisers. Whether you offer antiques, Afro-centric art,
author autographed children's books, celebrity memorabilia or exotic travel, auctions
and sales of this type bring like minds with like budgets together. Also the overhead
cost may be lower for this type of event since most of the items for sale or auction
are donated and the type of food and drink served can be more casual. A light
buffet or menu of passed hors d'oeuvres may suffice for these types of affairs. As
you make your final decisions, think of the things that may motivate your potential
benefactors. Perhaps it may be an interesting guest list, lively entertainment,
or fine food that encourages philanthropy. For others, it may be an opportunity
to make a unique purchase at a sale, to showcase a skill such as performing in
an "Open Mike Night" or to accomplish a goal as in running a 10-kilometer race.
Whether you provide an evening of elegance or "down home" fun, I know that your
fundraiser will be a smashing success. Do you have an event dilemma or
planning question for The Event Planner? You may send your pressing concern or
wearisome query to The Event Planner at the following email address: info@BlackSocietyPages.com.
While she cannot respond to each and every one, your question and a response may
appear on this web site. Copyright ©2003 BlackSocietyPages.com
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