TITLE AND LEVEL: 

Special Event - Fundraising - 

Using the holiday special -  "A Christmas Carol" as a fundraising and consciousness raising event  

(Introductory, Intermediate, Advanced)

PRESENTERS:

Kippy Rudy, (President of the Board of VSA arts of Maine and professional development director) and David Webster, Executive Director, VSA arts of Maine
Contact David Webster - VSA arts of Maine (dwebster@maine.edu) 

TYPE OF SESSION: Presentation/workshop

SESSION STRAND: Organizational Strength - Development

SESSION TRACK:	Staff and board

SESSION DESCRIPTION: "A Christmas Carol" is a holiday favorite performed every year all across the country. With a clear marketing plan we can partner with a theater to raise funds AND make a statement about social justice as well as cause our audience to think twice about 20th century's original "poster child." 

CONTENT DESCRIPTION: 

Special events require creating an event worth attending and then getting people to attend! One solution is to find an already popular event. A partnership with a theater is a natural for VSA arts. 

"A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens is an annual holiday favorite for many celebrating Christmas. It is an almost assured success as a fundraiser. However, the image of "Tiny Tim" is so associated with the "poster child" image that we might wish to keep clear. On the other hand you could choose to make a statement about social justice (and the poster child image), raise awareness AND raise funds. We raised money, gently raised consciousness and we think you should too. 

In this workshop we will take participants through the whole process of using "A Christmas Carol" as a fundraiser while raising awareness as well. We will provide everything from timelines, sample contracts, press packages, mockups and pricing for program advertising, sponsorships and even curtain speeches and thank you letters as you celebrate putting VSA arts' name and mission in front of the public while achieving financial success.

TWO LEARNER OUTCOMES: 

Participants will leave prepared with information and materials to replicate (and modify to their needs) a special event based upon "A Christmas Carol."

Participants will have had an opportunity to reflect upon the possibilities of combining fundraising with advancing what we feel is part of our mission of inclusion; that no one deserves to be pitied.  People, all people, deserve to be empowered.   

SOURCE OF INFORMATION: Materials and information will be drawn from the successful special event held December 2002. This will include samples of letters, development packages, press packages, posters, planning materials, tickets and programs from the event.  



