Does anyone have any experience/ideas for creating/organizing a funding drive to raise $50,000-plus to pay for complete rebuilding of two pianos and a few related expenses? I do pro-bono tuning (and light repairs) for the local Friday Morning Musicale (it is an association of music & performing arts teachers that use the facility for recitals (young piano students), etc.). The group (non-profit) owns a lovely theatre and has a 1950 S&S "B" and a 1920 S&S "L". They also rent out the facility whenever possible for performance events - such as the Florida Chamber Orchestra. The pianos are in original (or nearly so) condition - you've seen 'em - play like trucks, horrible bass sections, treble sections horribly unclear, etc. IMHO, they will not realize anywhere near their potential until they are completely rebuilt. I am aware that the Friday Morning Musicale board members would like to upgrade the pianos. Here is the problem: This group doesn't have the money to hire a caretaker for the building or paint the walls - let alone dump $40,000-plus into two pianos (they need a climate-controlled storage room and a caretaker to prevent (minimize)piano abuse). It's just a few elderly ladies that volunteer their time to keep the place going and membership fees that pay the taxes and whatever. Has anyone ever organized something of this nature? Does anyone know of anyone that has organized something of this nature? Last week I read in the local paper that a new US Navy destroyer (battleship?) will be christened in Tampa next month. A local group did a funding drive and raised $100,000 for a day-long party to celebrate the christening of the ship. I know absolutely nothing about funding drives, but I think the local christening party funding success clearly indicates that my area can raise these kinds of funds. There must be some way to raise funding for a couple pianos that would greatly benefit children of the area and the local arts. Any ideas????? Terry Farrell Piano Tuning & Service Tampa, Florida mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC