Area non-profits look for creative ways to tap into donor dollars

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art is reviving a tres chic fundraiser where the accent's on fun.

The local Beaux Arts Ball, which began in 1961, is back Feb. 28 after a 15-year hiatus, offering an evening where anything goes in sartorial splendor, from gussied-up guests to those who arrive dressed as their favorite artist or artwork. The admission price of $75 is the only money changing hands. No auctions, no raffles, just a fun night at the museum.

'We have to remember that ‘FUN' is the first three letters of fundraising, so every opportunity we have to put fun back into fundraising for the donor is an opportunity we should seize,” says Sean Ulmer, the museum's executive director.

Fun may be at the forefront of the museum's mind as they bring the ball back. But they're also hoping to raise some funds since the event is replacing the biennial Sight & Sound gala that benefitted Orchestra Iowa as well as the art museum.

The Corridor is rife with events that wine and dine donors, where ticket prices range from $35 for the Old Creamery Theatre's April 11 Shaken Not Stirred Affair to $150 for Summer of the Arts' recent black-tie New Year's Eve party celebrating 25 years of the Iowa City Jazz Festival.

Knowing the difference between a 'fun”raiser, 'fund”raiser and 'friend”raiser is the key to launching and maintaining a successful event, say the those at the helm of area arts organizations.

FUN V. FUND

As events come and go, organizations are always looking for ways to nurture new potential patrons.

Just as the Beaux Arts Ball is replacing another event that had run its course, Brucemore introduced its poolside Tahitian Party after it retired the formal summer Garden Party. Effort exceeded the income for the latter event, says David Janssen, executive director at the historic estate.

Creating the more relaxed Tahitian Party not only reflects former resident Howard Hall's Tahitian Room man cave, but also raises the fun factor and draws in people who haven't been there before.

'It helps us avoid the stuffy image that a 19th-century Victorian mansion suggests,” Janssen says. 'Brucemore has a presence and we are part of all that Brucemore is. It's an asset to the community and meant to be accessible. The Tahitian Party is one of those events that helps underscore the message that historic can be fun, too.”

Another event at the mansion has a similar mission for another organization. Brucemorechestra, Orchestra Iowa's season kickoff concert on the front lawn of Brucemore mansion in southeast Cedar Rapids is a way for the orchestra to reach a new audience and foster interest in seeing other concerts, Pitt says.

'It's our version of a casual concert.”

Theatre Cedar Rapids started the Costume Run between TCR and NewBo Market three years ago to introduce both venues to new audiences.

Theatre Cedar Rapids Executive Director Casey Prince says the biggest boon to the 81-year-old organization comes when a fundraiser includes admission to a main stage play.

Opening night of 'Les Miserables” last June offered a prime opportunity to give patrons a gala event paired with a show. The $80 evening highlighted a landmark show, the end of the organization's 80th season celebration and gave audience members a chance to join the cast for a black-tie reception afterward at the Double Tree by Hilton across the street.

When fundraising is the gala goal, Prince says the pressure is on to find sponsors willing to help underwrite the expenses and businesses willing to donate food, beverages and auction items.

The key is to have all the planners understanding and agreeing on the mission.

'If you've got a half a dozen people ... and two of them think of it as a fundraiser and two of them think of it as a party and two of them think of it as an educational opportunity, you'll have a really disjointed event and planning is going to be tricky because they're not going to be on the same page at all.

Many area non-profits stage events that can fit under either category, but trying to fit one experience under both can result in disappointing net profits after all the bills are paid.

Friend-raisers

Sometimes there's just as much reward when the focus is on raising friends, not just funds.

The Englert Theatre's Fall Friends Dinner is a $100-plus ticket that's designed to be an intimate, gourmet affair for about 60 people on the downtown Iowa City venue's stage.

Keeping it small, rather than staging a huge event for 200 or more, is a purposeful move.

'It's mostly about the people who support and love the Englert getting together for a wonderful evening of food, wine and some cultural programming,” says Katie Roche, the Englert's development director.

'The Englert is only 10 years out from our initial capital campaign which worked to save the (venue),” she says, adding that the intimate event allows the staff to stay in close contact with the people who have played crucial roles since those early days, as well as the donors who have come onboard in the past decade.

'There's a lot of real value in people have face-time with each other and enjoying each other's company,” Roche says. 'This event is not a major contributor to our budget, but we feel that it's really one of the most important things we do during the course of the year.”

The Czech Village/New Bohemia Main Street District is hoping to make new friends through its new Oscars preview party, The Main Event, on Feb. 21 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library.

The goal is twofold. They want to raise about $10,000, from proceeds from the $35 tickets. They also want to grow The Main Event into a signature event for the district, which straddles the Cedar River south of downtown Cedar Rapids.

'We kept that ticket priced modest strategically,” says Jennifer Pruden, the main street district's executive director. 'We're hoping to reach that audience that maybe isn't necessarily tuned into us now. We wanted to make it approachable for everyone. We looked at the list of events going on around same time and noticed that a lot of them have some hefty ticket prices, so we wanted to offer something for those who maybe want to go to multiple things during February, or for those who are looking for a little more affordable event.”

The Main Event, with a red carpet, music by Alisabeth Von Presley, film clips, footage of the district, games and prizes also gives revelers a chance to shake off some winter doldrums.

'It's an excuse for people to get out and to build awareness about the work we're doing to revitalize the Czech Village/New Bohemia neighborhood,” Pruden says.

It's also a way to just get people into the district - especially the Millennial generation and young professionals - to show them its physical attributes.

'We're purposely ending at 9 p.m., hoping that after the event's over, people will spill into the district, hang out at some of the restaurants and the brewery and all the other places, to support the district in that way, as well,” she says.

DEEP POCKETS

As the calendar fills up, non-profits also wonder if the well will dry up.

The Englert's Perry says that while he does get a sense of competition for donor dollars, he doesn't consider that 'a bad thing.”

'That shows we've got a lively cultural atmosphere in the Corridor, so I think that's good. I think there are a lot of folks who have a culture of giving within them. There's still a lot of work to be done of educating people that they can support organizations that they believe in around the Corridor and that it doesn't have to be (with) a ton of money - it can just be whatever makes sense for your family or for you personally.

It's important to keep in mind, too, that not everyone wants to be wined and dined. Some donors prefer to pledge support at straightforward events as opposed to a night on the town. Direct requests and mailing also remain important revenue streams for non-profits.
And as for the always growing, changing region's social calendar, the Englert's Roche thinks the wide range of options is a good sign.

'It's great that there's so many robust fundraising events happening throughout our community, because it really is a great opportunity for members of the community to understand the importance of philanthropy and the roles that non-profits play in their community, so more is actually better.”

FYI: Upcoming Fundraisers

See more events at HooplaNow.com under Fundraisers/Benefits on the Event Search tab

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

' GIVE CANCER THE BOOT: Linn County gala, 5 to 11 p.m. April 18, DoubleTree by Hilton, 350 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids. Entertainment, fine dining, live and silent auctions; $100, (319) 365-5241, ask for Julie Facion.

BRUCEMORE, Cedar Rapids

' TAHITIAN PARTY: Each June, poolside at Brucemore, 2160 Linden Dr. SE. Steel drum band, roast suckling pig, Polynesian noshes, exotic beverages; funds support property preservation projects. Details to come at Brucemore.org

CEDAR RAPIDS MUSEUM OF ART

' BEAUX ARTS BALL: 7 to 10 p.m. Feb. 28, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, 410 Third Ave. SE. Food, music, costumes or formal attire; $75 by Feb. 20 at (319) 366-7503, email jwzontek@crma.org or visit the event page at Crma.org

' CLUE: THE DETECTIVE GAME EVENT: 7 to 10 p.m. May 29, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, 410 Third Ave. SE; details to come on the event page at crmg.org

CEDAR RAPIDS OPERA THEATRE

' FANTASY OF THE OPERA: 7 p.m. April 25, Cedar Rapids Country Club, 550 27th St. Dr. SE. Wine, appetizers, silent auction, music by local Latin jazz group Ritmocano and four-time Grammy-nominated jazz artist, Karrin Allyson; black-tie optional, $125, (319) 365-7401, Visit Cr-opera.org or email vmichalicek@cr-opera.org

CEDAR VALLEY HUMANE SOCIETY, CEDAR RAPIDS

' WHINE & WAGS AUCTION: 6 to 10 p.m. Feb. 28, Cedar Rapids Country Club, 550 27th St. Dr. SE. Dinner, drinks, live and silent auctions, music by Alisabeth Von Presley; $75 or $750 table of 10, Cvhumane.org

CZECH VILLAGE/NEW BOHEMIA main street district, Cedar Rapids

' THE MAIN EVENT: 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 21, National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, 1400 Inspiration Place SW. Oscars preview party, with red carpet, food, beverages, screening of nominated movies' trailers, valet parking, prizes, red carpet photos. $35, The_main_event.splashthat.com

ENGLERT THEATRE, Iowa City

' HOLLYWOOD LIVE: 6 p.m. Feb. 22, Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St. Annual Oscars viewing, costume-optional party, ballots and prizes hosted by Chris Okiishi; proceeds benefit FilmScene, the Englert and City Circle Acting Company. Movie Lover Ticket: donation at door to watch broadcast, enjoy cash bar and snacks. Blue Carpet Ticket: $35, photos, complimentary wine, beer and food from area eateries, balcony seating, Englert Box Office, (319) 688-2653 or visit the event page at englert.com

FAMILIES HELPING FAMILIES, CEDAR RAPIDS

' THE GALA: AN HONOR TO FOSTERING: 5 p.m. May 9, Cedar Rapids Marriott, 1200 Collins Rd. NE. Nominate and honor area residents for achievements and foster care work; $85 or $765 table of 10, visit the event page at familieshelpingfamiliesofiowa.org

IOWA 4-H FOUNDATION

' GALA: 6 p.m. Feb. 28, Cedar Rapids Marriott, 1200 Collins Rd. NE. Dinner buffet, desserts, auction items; $50 to $100, visit the event page the Iowa 4-H website.

JUNIOR LEAGUE OF CEDAR RAPIDS

' FOSTERING STRENGTH: 5:30 p.m. April 11, The Hotel at Kirkwood Center, 7725 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids. Keynote speech by Dr. Jennifer Arnold, cocktails, dinner, silent auction; $75 by March 1, $100 afterward, Juniorleaguecr.org

MAKE-A-WISH IOWA

' UNCORK A WISH: Annual wine and beer gala, 6 p.m. April 10, DoubleTree by Hilton, 350 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids. Hors d'oeuvres, wine and beer tasting, live and silent auctions, music by The George Jazz Trio; $50 in advance, $55 door, $360 table of eight in advance, contact Tammy Tronvold at (319) 560-3505, email tammy@eells-tronvold.com or Iowa.wish.org

OLD CREAMERY THEATRE, Amana

' A SHAKEN NOT STIRRED AFFAIR: 6:30 to 9 p.m. April 11, Clarion Hotel and Convention Center, 525 33rd Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids. Refreshments, hors d'oeuvres, silent auction and sneak peeks at 2015 shows; $35 at (319) 622-6034 or Oldcreamery.com

RIVERSIDE THEATRE, Iowa City

' DIAMONDS OR DENIM: 7 p.m. Feb. 27, hotelVetro, 201 S. Linn St., Iowa City. Desserts from more than 20 local eateries, wine pull, live and silent auctions, raffle, dancing; $50 RiverDogs, $55 public, $500 table for 10, Riverside box office, (319) 338-7672 or door.

THEATRE CEDAR RAPIDS

' LADIES LUNCHEON: 10:30 a.m. May 7, Cedar Rapids Country Club, 550 27th St. Dr. SE. Luncheon, marketplace, musical performances from 'Mary Poppins; $60 individual to $850 table for 12, (319) 366-8591, email josie@theatrecr.org or visit the event page at theatrecr.org