What Makes a Great Party?

At the beginning of the year, Angeles Chapter volunteer leader extraordinaire Nancy Barba approached Kim Orbe, Sr Conservation Program Manager, about raising money for the Activist Academy. Nancy is very passionate about this program. And, she loves hostessing. Nancy offered to open up her home for a small and very intentional gathering of people who wanted to support or learn about the Activist Academy. It took a small committee of 4 people who divided and conquered planning for this event over the course of 4 months. They agreed that this should be low stress and low cost. The committee put forth a modest budget and a project plan, then met once or twice a month to check on progress. They were very clear that this was indeed a party, and an intentional fundraiser. This was not about spending a lot of money to impress people. This was about supporting the Activist program. As a gift, Nancy provided hospitality, food, and beverage - saving the budget $400. Donors and attendees didn’t blink an eye when it came to RSVP’ing and expressing their support for the Activist Academy. And, let me just say: the event was a lovely success. The food was definitely ah-mazing, as were the Palomas, but mostly the energy flowed organically between the two hours that 30 guests were there. We had originally set a goal to raise $3000. We raised $5000 - making this one of the easiest and highest returns on cost and effort. 

 

Last July, we combined Sr. Chapter Director Morgan Goodwin’s birthday with a fundraising event at a local brewery. We hired a band and let the brewery and food trucks do their thing to serve guests. Again, the intentions were clear: raise money, spend very little - and be really clear about what we were raising money for. Morgan made a short heartfelt video that shared how the best gift for his birthday would be a gift to the planet. Forty or so people enjoyed the evening together, raising delicious glasses of beer and raising almost $3000 by simply being in community with one another in a cool space. It wasn’t just a birthday party, nor was it just a fundraiser - it was a blast!

1. Think about a program or campaign that YOU are passionate about. I can guarantee that the program needs money to sustain its work.
2. Find 2 or 3 people to help plan the event. The Fundraising Committee is a great resource for support and the Angeles Chapter staff is here to help with registrations, project planning tools, promoting the event, and volunteering at the event.
3. Find an event location that is free or can be covered by an in kind donation. This can be a home or backyard, brewery, winery, HOA community room, art gallery, museum, or get creative and discover a unique location in your community!
4. Invite friends and family. Don’t forget to reach out to new members!
5. ENJOY!