Fundraising Ideas

A word about costs in general

There is no set cost for David's programs because he is a genuine "public servant" who tries to make the world a better place through music, joy, and education.  That's why we call our organization "Organic Arts!"  Each event is considered on an individual basis with the following factors considered:

• Who is being served?
• The cost varies with ability to pay -
  • An inner city school will get a lower fee quoted than an affluent suburban school.
  • A major festival or corporate party can pay more than a library or community gathering.
  • A senior meal program needs more help than a large senior community complex.
  • A county-funded park has a tax-supported budget- a family picnic or wedding doesn't.

Speaking of budgets

What can you truly afford? Make me your best honest offer!  And what can I afford to live on? We can work it out.  Remember, true professional performers don't have "day jobs" – This IS the day-job (and nights and weekends too) with 30 years experience where there is no health insurance, retirement plan, or free lunch.  Of course we love to do this, but would you go to a doctor who didn't love to cure people or to an "amateur" lawyer to get a deal?

How large is the audience?

Do the math- what is a program worth per person to your organization?
Two dollars a head? Can't hardly buy a cup of coffee nowadays for that.
What would a movie cost per person in your town even without the popcorn?
Live music is so much better than "canned" and it really is a bargain!

How many miles and hours will it take?

Gas costs are now estimated at .445 a mile and as they say, time is money.  A one hour show could take 4 hours of driving and at least one meal on the road.  That's why it's SO important to check the calendar for "en route" discounts!  It not only saves gas and helps the environment, it saves time, car repairs, and food/lodging costs.

Doing events "for the exposure"

David is a professional Great Lakes sailor, where you can die of exposure!  David donates performances to genuine charitable causes that he believes in (must be a 501c3 organization), but does still need help with mileage and having the event well publicized.  David will also donate CDs to silent auctions and as donation perks.

Sponsorships and Grants

David is willing to help write grants, talk to potential business sponsors, appear on radio and press appearances, combine daytime school, elder, library, or community events or what ever it takes to help you bring him to your community, school, or festival.

Call me at 414-702-6053 and let's brainstorm!

Remember the check David's Touring Calendar - it's always more cost effective to "piggyback" a show when David's already traveling in your area (see "Discounts Available" list)

David also serves as a creative consultant to the non-profit and business sector with over 30 years experience in creative and ethical survival solutions.   Visit Organic Arts Ltd. at www.organicarts.info  to see one of his latest projects.

Schools

My asking price for an assembly program is $350 single show, $600 double) plus transportation.*
This IS negotiable!  There are lots of ways to bring in my programs at approximately $1.00 - $1.50 per student and .25 a mile (rule of thumb based on 250-350 students attending)

(*This may go up depending prevailing on gas prices)

Remember the check David's Touring Calendar - it's always more cost effective to "piggyback" a show when David's already traveling in your area (see "Discounts Available" list)

One approach, if your school rules allows it, is to have each kid who can afford it to bring in $1.00-$1.50, just like a field trip to the theatre, except that I come to you.  This can be in the form of a request of a donation to parents, not a demand.  Given the cuts to the Arts, many schools are adopting the "a la carte" approach.

Field Trip Approach

Secure your local high school stage, community theatre or movie theatre and invite ALL the schools in your area to the show.  It does involve a bus cost, but then the program becomes a field trip, just like a museum, and the students can be asked to bring in their share of the admission and bus cost.  This is also a great way to get a local sponsor to pick up the program or entire project cost!

Hint!

The more shows I do in a day in the same area, the cheaper it gets.  My biggest cost is the time it takes to travel- anything to help efficiency is valuable!

It's OK to invite the kids from nearby public and parochial schools to my shows at YOUR school and charge them "admission", just like a field trip, to lower your cost.  Find out who the school assembly planner in nearby schools, the local librarian, Chamber of Commerce, local women's and/or business club, and the local elder care recreation director is and work together for the best price!

Milwaukee Public Schools

See the MPS Recreation Dept. Artists Guide for reduced rates and subsidized programs.  Call 414-647-6040 for an application and program guide or visit online at Milwaukee Arts Education Directory.

Help make the program pay for itself!  Present an Evening Family Concert for the Community
In smaller communities where there isn't too much else going on in the evening, many schools have sponsored a community evening family concert, where parents and grandparents and all local community folks can come.

Admission can be charged or donations requested from the audience, local businesses and sponsors.   It can be easily promoted at local stores and advance tickets can be sold by the kids
the same as the "candy bar" sales, but this is good for you!  In some cases the amount brought in from this evening event covered both the cost of the evening program AND the daytime school events.  It's easier than a bake sale!

Better than a Bake Sale!

Rather than selling candy or a bake sale to raise funds, David's CD's are available in wholesale amounts for $7.50 each and can be sold for $15 to parents and the community.   Selling 50 CD's (in any combination of those listed on the "recordings" page) raises the fee for an assembly program!
The order form on the "Recordings" page can be used as an order form that can be distributed to families.  The nice part is that then the kids and their families have their own recording of David to keep!

Check with existing programs such as AODA funds!

David's programs have a clear value in educating kids about living a good life - avoiding conflict, respecting others, being mentally and physically healthy.  Many programs fit right into programs like AODA and Conflict Resolution efforts and can be adjusted to fit specific guidelines.

Libraries

Remember the check David's Touring Calendar - it's always more cost effective to "piggyback" a show when David's already traveling in your area (see "Discounts Available" list).

Sponsorship

Organic Arts will enthusiastically cooperate with your fundraiser to seek sponsorship by a
local company who is committed to the community good to pick up the cost of a show.
Their contribution to Organic Arts is tax deductible!

Grant Writing

Larger library systems with multiple with multiple locations can collaborate with Organic Arts
in grant seeking to fund bringing our artists to your branch libraries or entire system.

Cooperative Sales

David's CD's are available in wholesale amounts for $7.50 each and can be sold for $15 to parents and the community.

Selling 25 CD's (in any combination of those listed on the "recordings" page) at $15 each at your library easily raises the fee for a program!  The order form on the "Recordings" page can be used as an order form.

At some libraries, selling items as a fundraising devices is already permissible.  In today's funding climate, more libraries need to consider having a "bookstore" area.

(Note: if you keep some of the wholesale copies for your library's collection, those CDs save your library the full cost of ordering the CDs just for the library)

Senior Communities

Remember the check David's touring calendar - it's always more cost effective to "piggyback" a show when David's already traveling in your area (see "Discounts Available" list).

David works through a 501c3 non-profit organization called "Organic Arts."  One of our goals is to bring the arts to those who cannot travel to events, such as seniors.  We try to be as affordable as possible, but have found many senior facilities have budgets that do not take into account fiscal realities.

Any program, even by amateurs, much less our professional artists who have spent a lifetime
of commitment to the arts (and therefore are very low income given our society's priorities)
should at least receive $25 an hour and gas money ( currently $0.445 a mile)

A one hour show at a facility in a performer's home town involves at least a 3 hour commitment
by the artist when you consider loading up, driving, performing, returning and unloading and this doesn't take into consideration the time and cost it takes to rehearse, send out information and execute contracts.  Programs in communities beyond the artist's home town greatly increases
the time and travel costs, adding food on the road and sometimes lodging To be honest, those organizations who offer $50 a show puts us in a position of deciding to loose money by serving your community as a public service.  Facilities owned by major corporations don't need that kind of help, but their patients do.

What You Can Do to Help

Make your facility or organization aware of the cost realities of sending out a professional artist.
If your facility pays an artist $100 for a show that serves 65 people, it only costs $1.50 a person!
(That's bingo change).  Lobby for more realistic activities budgets to bring in quality programming!

Clubs and Organizations

Consider passing the hat at the end of the show for a free will donation.  Even if half your members throw in a dollar, it will go a long way to help the artist survive and be able to come again to your club.

Sponsorship

Organic Arts will enthusiastically cooperate with your fundraiser to seek sponsorship by a local company (especially one which profits from your clients) to pick up the cost of a show, and their contribution to Organic Arts is tax deductible.

Grant Writing

Larger organizations with multiple locations can collaborate in grant seeking to fund bringing our artists to your facilities.  We have 501c3 status even if your facility doesn't.