Rebuilding/Non-Profit/Funding

[Tom Dickson]

Hi, Terry!

   Although I haven't tackled that size of fund raising you're after, I 
think the same type of thinking applies.

   First off, I believe you have a wonderful cause, here!  You need to look 
at the situation and really amplify the benefits of this - get a few ideas, 
examples, and slogans, that can rally people.

   Look out into the community to see who might have some connection with 
this group and facility.  There have no doubt been some people affected by 
this, or perhaps people who would benefit from this situation/venue being 
improved.

   Lastly, look at the possibilities ( as in Robert Schuler's writing).  You 
could find one person who would donate $50K, or two people to each give 
$25K,  possibly 10 people to donate $5K each.  And so on.  My experience has 
been to think big and ask big.  Be sure to give positives that the potential 
donors can appreciate.

   Hope your group is pleasantly surprised!

Sincerely,
Tom Dickson



>From: "Farrell" <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com>
>Reply-To: pianotech@ptg.org
>To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
>Subject: Rebuilding/Non-Profit/Funding
>Date: Sun, 29 Apr 2001 12:02:50 -0400
>
>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
>

_________________________________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.