Han's Habana Night
We're trying to raise a fairly substantial amount of money (well, for us it's substantial) for a memorial scholarship fund in my son's memory. Thanks to friends and family we've reached about the half-way point to setting up the trust.
I'm currently at a dead end as to how to raise further funds. Grant opportunities await us, as soon as we establish the initial fund with the funds administation organization, but getting to that point isn't going to be easy.
We're thinking of hosting an annual party around the time of his birthday, February. First as a way of generating enough funds to get the fund started, and later to build some investment (and more awarded scholarships). Not to mention, we want his birthday to not only be a depressing ass day for us, but a celebration of him, and of the joy that he brought us both.
We're thinking of all the people that I know that might be able to offer some sort of assistance on this; bands, dj's, local resteraunters, a few politicians or property owners - and it seems that I could probably put together a fairly decent 'Havana Night', utilizing a really good salsa band and a brilliant dj friend.
Getting them will be no problem, but securing a venue and deciding whether or not to make it a full out dinner dance vs just a music event is what stumps me. First off, would I be better off simply doing a cheaper night club type event - where many people will come, but cost will be low (I'd probably take the door from a night club, and maybe a cut from the bar) or would it be a better idea to swank out the whole evening, offering up dinner, drinks, dancing, a real event - good times, with fairly substantial cover charge.
With that option, I'd have to find a venue that I could rent out, and the logistics of dining, drinking and dancing would have to be worked out - I'd hope that the people that know people in the neighborhood could help me in securing some permit, or help with security and such.
Anyhow, I guess I'm just typing this out to get an idea in my head of what i'd really like to do, but your feedback is great - what would you be more willing to attend for a benefit type event: a cheap evening where you could give a larger donation, should you be interested in doing so or a full on evening event where you'd be giving a larger chunk to the cause.
For anyone who has done any charity work or fundraising, which sorts of events have been the most beneficial to you?
I'm currently at a dead end as to how to raise further funds. Grant opportunities await us, as soon as we establish the initial fund with the funds administation organization, but getting to that point isn't going to be easy.
We're thinking of hosting an annual party around the time of his birthday, February. First as a way of generating enough funds to get the fund started, and later to build some investment (and more awarded scholarships). Not to mention, we want his birthday to not only be a depressing ass day for us, but a celebration of him, and of the joy that he brought us both.
We're thinking of all the people that I know that might be able to offer some sort of assistance on this; bands, dj's, local resteraunters, a few politicians or property owners - and it seems that I could probably put together a fairly decent 'Havana Night', utilizing a really good salsa band and a brilliant dj friend.
Getting them will be no problem, but securing a venue and deciding whether or not to make it a full out dinner dance vs just a music event is what stumps me. First off, would I be better off simply doing a cheaper night club type event - where many people will come, but cost will be low (I'd probably take the door from a night club, and maybe a cut from the bar) or would it be a better idea to swank out the whole evening, offering up dinner, drinks, dancing, a real event - good times, with fairly substantial cover charge.
With that option, I'd have to find a venue that I could rent out, and the logistics of dining, drinking and dancing would have to be worked out - I'd hope that the people that know people in the neighborhood could help me in securing some permit, or help with security and such.
Anyhow, I guess I'm just typing this out to get an idea in my head of what i'd really like to do, but your feedback is great - what would you be more willing to attend for a benefit type event: a cheap evening where you could give a larger donation, should you be interested in doing so or a full on evening event where you'd be giving a larger chunk to the cause.
For anyone who has done any charity work or fundraising, which sorts of events have been the most beneficial to you?
posted by justinian at 8:56 PM
4 Comments:
I have absolutely no idea which sort of event would be most beneficial to you, but I am so awed by the fact that you guys are doing such a thing. I think it is a really lovely idea. It is both impressive and inspirational. Best of luck organizing!
I don't know which type of event is better...but I do like the events where the donation is included in the ticket price. That way I don't have to worry if I'm giving too little compared to everyone else. :o)
And who knows...if you talk about your cause, maybe you'll get someone to donate a venue and that will make the decision for you.
By the way...I HOPE you'll consider sending an invite out to the east side. We'd love to honor Hans.
As you know we are doing something similiar and one of the things that is saving us a lot of hassle is the venue we've (tentatively) chosen. They will take care of the security/food/booze angle just for earning the bar/food tab so that's all taken care of and we can get on with the fun things. We don't have to get permits, rent equipment, any of that stuff. I'll bet you know a restaurant that would do this for you, either in a function room or in the main part on a night that is usually slow for them anyway; your chef friend Matt could probably help you identify a place. This would save you a ton of hassles, permits and all that stuff are a pain in the arse.
The fundraiser I talked to advised at least two revenue sources, usually tickets and then some way for people to spend money once you get them there. Auctions, activities to pay for, that sort of thing. At the moment we are considering a couple of these, the venue we are hoping to use has a small theatre (like 30 seats) and since we know a lot of film people we are trying to organize film screenings (shorts) that people pay extra for. I'd like to sell little bags of popcorn, too, but I'm not sure if they'll let me. If you are having a Havana night maybe you could get some latin dance instructors to give people lessons for a fee, or have a cuban rum tasting (would I have to smuggle some down for you? how 'bout some cigars?) or something like that.
in mt experience, a low key (ie cas) but really fun big event is best...marketed as a fundraiser (i know here in ny there are non-prof umbrella organizations you can work through if you don't have a non-prof status). if you bring in bands (and anyone you bring in should be willing to work for free) they usually bring in people. the bigger the event, the more people that come in. you charge a modest price (like $20) and you get a huge chunk o' change there already. you can probably talk local baby businesses into donating/sponsoring for rental costs and can get low cost, possibly even free space if its a bar and people are drinking (after all, they want people to drink, and that's what gets them customers and money - that's the spin you put on it when suggesting). the more local/community oriented you go, the better the reults will be. you want to look at what's the lowest cost options for you (which generally means no food and cash bar), affordable for the widest range of people, and what will ultimately yeild the most money in door sales alone (people will donate more, but in figuring, you want to go with the admission door count). then raffles are always good, and its pretty easy to get local businesses to donate to raffles, as its free advertising. all of this though is where a non-prof umbrella org comes in as bunsinesses generally want the tax writeoff. i don't know how it works where you are, but another route to solving the space issue is to not close off the bar to outside customers, so as people come in you ask them if they're here for the event and if they say no, you explain to them what it is and then ask if they'd be willing to donate...usually you then get the space for free, as you're not rentingh it out, they are just hosting. this method also lets you extend beyond the scope of who know and have alerted to the event. my last piece of advice is to utilize any and all friends' skills...this has been the proven winning factor time and again.
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