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11 Dec 04 - 11:02 PM (#1354470) Subject: BS: Fund raising advice???.... From: Bobert HELP!!! As some of you folks know I play blues with the Archie Edwards Blues Foundation in Washington, D.C. Well, the foundation has been renting Archie Edward's old barber shop for $200 a onth ever since Archie Died in 1998 but Archie didn't own the property. The owners have let it be known that they want to cash out in the the spring and sell the barber shop... It would look as if the honeymoon is over as we are hnow going to have to buy the property or be put out... We raised about $7000 last year from donations but will be needing to quadtriple those next year and the next if we are going to hold onto Archie Edwards old babershop... Ideas??? Thanks... Bobert |
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11 Dec 04 - 11:26 PM (#1354477) Subject: RE: BS: Fund raising advice???.... From: wysiwyg Well, I'd find a BARBER to buy it, run it, and let y'all still do your thang in it, how about that? No, seriously, as a fundraiser I have JUST the thing. It's baesed on something people in lotsa places have done as a nonprofit's major annual fundraiser. Set it up with all sorts of afvance PR that each of you blues folks are gonna be arrested and thrown in the pokey. (Make up crimes based on blues songs.) The idea is to raise bail money. You'll need a jail, and a barbershop could make a GREAT jail especially if it has a nice display window. Or it can be a cell made out of closet-rod dowels set up on Main Street (need a permit). On Jail Day each of you gets publicly arrested by the Sherriff (a cushy job that goes to the highest bidder), and with much fanfare yore ass is hauled away. In the jail of course you play nonstop blues music for the 12 hours of the fundraiser, to pass the time-- that's the concert, and you can sell "jail passes" to folks to be let in, frisked, and escorted to a hard bench seat. Acourse you will need to raffle off some prison-guard jobs too and let them have fun policing the cellblock. People can be re-arrested multiple times and re-bailed multiple times. Bail money entitles the contributor to a digital mug shot, and a compilation CD (homemade) of the jailhouse concert. I want ten percent. You can also sell the jailhouse grub concession to a partnering nonprofit group, to cook for the inmates as well as all the folks who will surely enjoy coming by to pay a buck or more to gawk and mock the inmates. And costumes-- you will all need costumes. ~Susan |
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12 Dec 04 - 08:18 AM (#1354628) Subject: RE: BS: Fund raising advice???.... From: Bobert I love the idea, WYSusan... It's very creative and I will certainly pass it along to the Board members... Thanks... Now, is anyone aware of any grants or a site on grant writing??? Or any other ideas? The more the merrier... Bobert |
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12 Dec 04 - 08:26 AM (#1354632) Subject: RE: BS: Fund raising advice???.... From: freda underhill I have a friend who tried to raise money in Sydney for a women's house. the idea was to get 500 people to donate $500 each (half a million bucks, cost of a house in inner sydney). They raised around 350,000 I think, and took out a loan for the rest. good luck, bobert, I hope you get some more good ideas. best wishes freda |
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12 Dec 04 - 09:15 AM (#1354645) Subject: RE: BS: Fund raising advice???.... From: Bobert Shoot, Freda... That's a lot of money... It would be nice to get that much but our initial goal is to raise enough to put 20% down and finacne the rest. The building isn't exactly in the best area of D.C. so we're thinking around $30,000 for the down payment... But that will get us the store front next to us in addition that we might use to expand since the barbershop is only about 14 ft wide... Where's katlaughing these days? She always has good sources and ideas? Kat? |
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12 Dec 04 - 09:58 AM (#1354663) Subject: RE: BS: Fund raising advice???.... From: wysiwyg Suggest you PM Kat. I can write grants if someone else knows where to apply. And help you flesh out the program aspects that would be required. I am not a finder, but Lord, if I believe in the project, I can write 'em! I have always gotten all or most of what I asked for. ~Susan |
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12 Dec 04 - 10:08 AM (#1354668) Subject: RE: BS: Fund raising advice???.... From: Bobert Yer hired, Wizzie, but I gotta warn ya that the hours are long BUT the pay is... lousy... Yeah, I'll PM Kat and see what she can come up with and... Thanks. B~ |
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12 Dec 04 - 10:31 AM (#1354686) Subject: RE: BS: Fund raising advice???.... From: Sttaw Legend I found this very helpful Guide for Writing a Funding Proposal |
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12 Dec 04 - 10:43 AM (#1354690) Subject: RE: BS: Fund raising advice???.... From: GUEST,curmudgeon I lifted this from the NH State Council for the Arts Website: NYFA Source - www.nyfa.org/source In November 2002, the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) launched NYFA Source, the nation's most extensive online database of awards, services, and publications for artists working in all disciplines. NYFA Source identifies nearly 2,900 awards, 3,200 services, and 1,000 publications for artists in the disciplines of dance, music, folk/traditional, theater, performance art, visual, design, media, and literary arts. An easy-to-use search engine allows users to narrow searches by discipline, location, gender, ethnicity, career point, application deadline, and more. In addition to the online database, visual and performing artists may receive personal assistance by calling 1.800.232.2789 (1:00-5:00 p.m., EST, Monday-Friday), or by e-mailing their requests to visual@nyfa.org or performing@nyfa.org. (At this time, due to budgetary restrictions, NYFA Source is not set up to provide assistance through live telephone or email to literary artists.) NYFA Source is available free of charge at www.nyfa.org/source. Hope it might help -- Tom |
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12 Dec 04 - 02:18 PM (#1354842) Subject: RE: BS: Fund raising advice???.... From: M.Ted There is Federal money available for acquiring, restoring, and developing historic properties, and there is, more than likely State(if you want to call DC a state) money available as well. Before you do anything else, talk to your Folklife/Folklore friends as the Smithsonian--there are people there who know exactly what you need to do, and ought to be able to help you and support you--this is, after all, right up their alley, in their own backyard-- You should look at this as an opportunity to acquire a historic building and to expand the scope and impact of the association-- Two suggestion for raising actual cash: is to have a "rent party" asking local businesses(restaurants, BBQ places) to provide the food, you have the entertainment-- Put together an assembly show for schools with the musicians, and donate the fees(they make good money for this stuff) and then have the musicians donate the money to the Association--this way, they can take tax deductions if they need them, which you can't do if you are just donating your time-- |
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12 Dec 04 - 02:53 PM (#1354871) Subject: RE: BS: Fund raising advice???.... From: katlaughing Thanks, Bobert. I was going to suggest pretty much what M.Ted has said. Hook up with local historical societies, museums, etc. They WILL know what you need to do to get it designated an historical place, etc. Also, it not being in one of the greatest places is actually a plus as it would improve the area for it to be bought by you folks and upgraded, etc. There's all kinds of selling points...bringing art and culture into a challenged neighbourhood; preserving history...etc. Hope that helps.:-) |
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12 Dec 04 - 03:03 PM (#1354876) Subject: RE: BS: Fund raising advice???.... From: Zany Mouse I organised a couple of sponsored busks for our Lions Group in Uxbridge. We used to cadge unbooked costumes from the local hire shop - mainly a lion and Mr Blobby. Lovely local folkies donated the time and the georgeous Leadfingers provided PA equipment. I think we all enjoyed it and managed to a few hundred pounds each time. You will need a good site though. We did our busks in a shopping centre in Uxbridge. Another good fundraiser I've found is to do a recipe book to sell. There's always folk around who would be willing to donate recipes and they sell like hotcakes. Good luck Rhiannon |
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12 Dec 04 - 06:24 PM (#1355036) Subject: RE: BS: Fund raising advice???.... From: Bobert Thanks all. With what you have given me here and in a PM I certainly have my work cut out for me.... Ya know, you is some smart folks here... Knotheads sometimes, but smart... B~ |
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12 Dec 04 - 07:37 PM (#1355104) Subject: RE: BS: Fund raising advice???.... From: Guy Wolff Strange thing . I just started a thread on documenting doing concerts for charities and other music events to raise money . i will add below the note i put there .. This kind of thing can add a few thousand $$ a year to a group if done well .. Good luck .. is this thread creep or what ?? Looking in at the Yellowbellies cd thread I thought it might be interesting for anyone to talk on concerts they have organized or played at that were for the purpose of helping out in different ways . These kinds of events can be such an inspiration to do and give back so much to a community . I think if we share ideas in a thread this may make a useful document for anyone who NEEDS to pull together such a show .. For many years I did a concert at a beautiful local church ( only in use some Sundays in the summer ..no elitricity ) and the proceeds went to the local Visiting Nurse Ass. to help with "Meals on Wheels" . THis particular concert generated a lot of dow because the woman organizing it sent out a mailer that asked for different types of pre bought tickets ... So even with the great group that came maybe 150 say at $12 .00 each she pre sold tickets at Supporting + $50.00 and Donors at $100.00 Atlas $250.00 and so on . At any rate I think she pulled in over $2000.00 a show .She and I always thought up a theame for that years show . She got the local florish to donate flowers . She got the printers to donate the concert book . It was a very classy act . The point is with the right presetatoin some good can be done .. I can think of three house fire concerts I have played in and at least half a dozon NO INSURANCE concerts. These being less organized usually brought in much less money then the VNA show.. A local Fire department in Roxburry Ct has run a fiddle contest for 28+ years that has been a booming sucsess . I helped write the rules and organize the direction of the thing in its early years and it has been a healthy addition to the local summer for what seems like forever . The possabilities around ideas like that are endless. Morris dance compititions , Clogging compititions ... Poca and Acordian exstrqavganzas.. Anyway do get the idea.. It would be great to hear of shows that we, as musicians have been a part of that have made a difference .. All the best , Guy |
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12 Dec 04 - 07:53 PM (#1355118) Subject: RE: BS: Fund raising advice???.... From: Guy Wolff A blues guitar contest ... Electric one day acoustic the next .. Even with some cash prices the size of the audience could be quite large... Venue?? Is there an open space , park you could use for a weekend . Insurences can be the big downfall on this but in the right park these are sometimes NOT an issue. THen the pa and cash prices are all you need. Get a record company to back the event .Fender ???. Martin?? Gibson ?? Resenophonic ?? .. dadario strings.. Local blues so .. You have to come up with rules and let the musisicians know ahead of time (for three Months at least ) what week end and what money is possable to give up a paying gig . CAtagorys: Blues Guitar . Slide Guitar Blues mandolin (Doo wop ???). : On the electirc day you could have a "cutting heads " compitition judged by the audience. Very cool and fun .. Food and t-shirt venders pay to be there . If you have an organization this thing works !! All the best , Guy |
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13 Dec 04 - 12:51 PM (#1355741) Subject: RE: BS: Fund raising advice???.... From: M.Ted It probably isn't necessary to mention these three things: 1) That your event should attract the interest and support of folks in *your* community(no snow sculpture contests in Florida) 2)That you can pull off the event with the talents and skills of the folks you have on hand(without destroying their lives in the process) 3)That it doesn't cost you more than it earns |
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13 Dec 04 - 04:48 PM (#1355934) Subject: RE: BS: Fund raising advice???.... From: KateG And on M. Ted's cheery note, may I add the following advice: Develop a long range plan & budget: after all in addition to buying the space you're going to have to pay for heat, light, property taxes, maintenance, insurance (property and liability -- the real killer) etc. Grants are available, and there are all sorts of wonderful directories available at your public library or at the local resource center for the Foundation Center (they're on-line). HOwever, without a well-thought out plan and budget your proposal will fall flat (I know, I get to read other people's proposals for the New Jersey Historical Commission). The Smithsonian is a good resource, especially the Anacostia Museum which deals with African American culture, also the National Trust, which has a lot of good info on using culture as a tool in neighborhood redevelopment. Partnerships with local Chambers of Commerce and Economic Development offices can be very fruitful as well. The trick in fund raising is to position yourself as a neigborhood asset, and invite others in the community to help you improve and develop said asset for the benefit of all. Think "come to our party", not "brother can you spare a dime." Rent parties and the like can be good -- especially given that they are historically appropriate, since they can show the big money that your project has community support. One good source of ideas and advice is a book by P. Burke Keegan called "Fundraising for Non-Profits: How to build a community parternship." There are others out there -- check your library. And good luck!!!! |