Why not do a fundraiser that puts money in your pocket. Like many, if not all of you, over the years we have given away thousands and thousands of dollars on scholarships. I don't know about you, but that was money, at that time we didn't have, but we still gave it away. Yes we dance teachers have big hearts and can't stand the thought of a student, especially with talent, not being able to take class just because they don't have money, Right! Well now you can have the best of both worlds. That's right, really have money to give scholarship so you get paid too. Many years ago we started to do a fund raising Gala.
This performance features our best dancers, our company and performance group and some guest artist, but it doesn't stop there. We do a silent and live auction. We have perfected it over the years to the tune of $31000.00 raised last year with a profit of about $16000.00 for scholarships. Not bad considering we are not a non for profit organization. Here's how it works.
A) Get your parents to go out and get auction items from local business that they frequent. You will need to do up a form and give them the script how this money will help local student get scholarships to take dance classes
B) Sell tickets to the performance. Push the fact that everyone in your school can help with this wonderful event by purchasing a ticket.
C) Have your company, competition groups, advanced classes perform in it. If you know some professional dancers or musicians who will be reasonable with their fee get them on board.
D) Send out press releases to the local papers, radio station or local cable television station to spread the word.
E) Have the silent auction first in the lobby or in some other area in the theater or school you are having it in. A little wine and cheese will go a long way to boosting your event. It is fun to open the theatre doors and have the live auction on stage.
F) Let the show begin. During intermission let the people have one last chance to bid on the silent auction items.
G) After the show count the cash! WOW was that fun. Now you really do have money for scholarships! The next year those who receive scholarships are expected to do a lot of work at these events. We let them know that if they take a scholarship it is part of it. People appreciate it so much more when they have to do something for it. We work to hard and we shouldn't be expected to give free services to anyone. Could you imagine saying to the guy who cuts the grass if you could have a pass or scholarship for the summer.
When you really do have the money and are allocating it, you feel much more in control and happy to help those who are really in need. There are plenty of books on how to run a fund raiser and we are planning to present an outline of how we run it from start to finish in the coming months. We will have our forms for donations, tickets and scholarship in the download section.
