I second the request to respond on the list!
Part of success/failure of events is connected to the goals for an
event. Is it a fundraiser? Is it an educational event? Is it both (the
hardest to achieve!)
Fundraiser - not necessarily mission supporting activity, but exists
solely to raise funds. Could be a fundraising dinner, raffle, bowling
tournament, golf tournament, etc. Should be the "job" of the board, not
the staff.
Education event - mission supporting activity, but in this economic
climate most of these activities must support themselves by grants or
sponsorships. Should be the "job" of the staff, with support from the
board for sponsorship cultivation.
Combination - tough, where are you placing your efforts? A good quality
event, a good money maker? What are your measures of success?
I took a quick peek at your website, and saw you had many events that
listed "Sponsored by..." and then a list of organizations that looked to
be participants in the events, not financial contributors.
One of our new goals here is to achieve financial sponsors for all of
our educational public events. It is not an easy task, and has to be
developed over time. You might start with several $500 sponsors, and
work up to higher levels. But you have to sell them something for that
support. Signage at the event - Prominent feature on your website with a
link to their website - If you do a buggy parade, perhaps you could sell
sponsorships of individual buggies, with a tasteful sign proclaiming
their support on each vehicle (don't forget to include the cost of
signage in your sponsorship cost)
Think about what you have that is valued - and by who? Then think who
else wants to reach that audience, and how you can "sell" access.
Good luck with your board (and what are they doing that makes them
overworked? Was it the mega event?)
Cindy Boyer
Director of Museums and Education
The Landmark Society of Western New York
133 S. Fitzhugh St.
Rochester NY 14608
(585) 546-7029 ext. 12
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The Landmark Society: Revitalizing Yesterday, Protecting Today, and
Planning for Tomorrow
www.landmarksociety.org <http://www.landmarksociety.org/>
Confessions of a Preservationist: The Landmark Society blog
<http://landmarksocietywny.blogspot.com/>
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From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Mifflinburg Buggy Museum
Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 2:23 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Fund raising
Having just suffered through a festival that shows great promise but
fails to raise needed funds - I am faced with going to an overworked,
terrified (small museum, big bills) and here for their own purposes
board of directors with some ideas for fundraising. If you'll forgive
the expression, I don't want to reinvent the wheel, so I am coming to
all of you to beg, borrow or steal some good ideas. What have you been
doing lately that has made lots of money, lots of friends or both.
What events do you do that your membership, community, strangers really
look forward to? What event or events make money for your museum? Have
you done anything that was just really horrible (low turn out, community
disgruntled, felt run over by the time it was done) that you would never
think of doing it again? Feel free to respond off list, although I think
everyone could benefit from the collective knowledge. Thank you in
advance for your help.
Bronwen A. Sanders
Executive Director
Mifflinburg Buggy Museum
570-966-1355
www.buggymuseum.org
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