Anonymous
Post 04/20/2016 17:47     Subject: Re:HRCS charging admission to its auction gala?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Venues for a gala should not actually cost money. I know at least one brew pub offered it's space for free to a dcps... Although not its beer. Still, a cash bar isn't the worst thing.

If you are having trouble breaking even on your expenses for your gala, you are doing it wrong. Last time I helped organize one, we found a lot of restaurants to donate food, drink, dessert--a band to donate their time, and so on.




Nice venues cost money. Dock 5 didn't donate its space for free when YY had a Gala there.


$14,000 is the rate for Dock 5 $11,200 for non profits + private security( min 2 officers) + bathroom restocking fee $300 was what our school was quoted last year.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2016 17:47     Subject: HRCS charging admission to its auction gala?
Anonymous wrote:People are missing the point here that it's a fundraiser. You can lower your ticket prices to appeal to lower income families but they are not your target audience in terms of highest dollar spent per person.

Do the research, the most profitable galas in DC for DCPS have an average ticket price of $60 or above. Hell, Step Afrika a non for profit organization is selling gala tickets for $350.


ITS tickets are $40 with food and open bar. Free tickets by private request. Staff are free. From what I understand they try to make the actual event social and raise funds at and before the event. They still manage to raise $80-$100k even with having ticket prices at cost. I tip my hat to all parents at all schools that work hard for these events. It's no easy task and you'll never satisfy everyone.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2016 17:44     Subject: Re:HRCS charging admission to its auction gala?
Anonymous wrote:Venues for a gala should not actually cost money. I know at least one brew pub offered it's space for free to a dcps... Although not its beer. Still, a cash bar isn't the worst thing.

If you are having trouble breaking even on your expenses for your gala, you are doing it wrong. Last time I helped organize one, we found a lot of restaurants to donate food, drink, dessert--a band to donate their time, and so on.




Nice venues cost money. Dock 5 didn't donate its space for free when YY had a Gala there.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2016 17:29     Subject: Re:HRCS charging admission to its auction gala?
Anonymous wrote:Venues for a gala should not actually cost money. I know at least one brew pub offered it's space for free to a dcps... Although not its beer. Still, a cash bar isn't the worst thing.

If you are having trouble breaking even on your expenses for your gala, you are doing it wrong. Last time I helped organize one, we found a lot of restaurants to donate food, drink, dessert--a band to donate their time, and so on.


Thank you- I understand the goal is to maximize income, while limiting expenses.

Please share your experience...When did you organize one? Was it a public school, charter school, elementary, MS or HS? Because these details matter. Not every school has a "community" with resources ready and willing to give away. How much were tickets? Was the space public transportation accessible? How much did you raise? Did you offer valet parking?



Anonymous
Post 04/20/2016 16:57     Subject: Re:HRCS charging admission to its auction gala?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Are there any low-income families at your schools? How do you think they feel when you charge $90+ for gala entrance fees? I hope you have some discounts other than early-bird, so you can be inclusive.



Our school (which I won't name) sets aside tickets for low-income families, they go through the principal. Having said that, try to remember it's a fundraiser. Generally the point is to raise funds for a project that benefits the school, not to send someone who can't otherwise afford it to an expensive party. There are many other events that are free of charge. Missing a school's gala/auction hardly leaves anyone out of the social loop.

There are galas I'd love to attend too, if someone subsidized a ticket for me. Of course, that means the money spent on my ticket isn't being spent on say, cancer research or an arts foundation. Personally, I'm happy to enjoy the benefits of cancer research and arts foundations without draining their funding so that I can attend their parties.

Apparently that's not a universal attitude.


How do you (and others who posted that tickets are available if people can't afford to attend) let people know these tickets are available? Is it printed on the invitation that someone should call the principal if the ticket price is a hardship?
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2016 16:52     Subject: HRCS charging admission to its auction gala?
People are missing the point here that it's a fundraiser. You can lower your ticket prices to appeal to lower income families but they are not your target audience in terms of highest dollar spent per person.

Do the research, the most profitable galas in DC for DCPS have an average ticket price of $60 or above. Hell, Step Afrika a non for profit organization is selling gala tickets for $350.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2016 16:50     Subject: HRCS charging admission to its auction gala?
Anonymous wrote:It stands to reason that if attendees get food and drinks (and usually alcoholic drinks, at that), then you should pay. If you don't wanna pay, then don't go. Simple as that.


Amen!
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2016 16:35     Subject: Re:HRCS charging admission to its auction gala?
Venues for a gala should not actually cost money. I know at least one brew pub offered it's space for free to a dcps... Although not its beer. Still, a cash bar isn't the worst thing.

If you are having trouble breaking even on your expenses for your gala, you are doing it wrong. Last time I helped organize one, we found a lot of restaurants to donate food, drink, dessert--a band to donate their time, and so on.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2016 16:27     Subject: HRCS charging admission to its auction gala?
Raising money from beyond the school is good - if all you are doing is hitting up parents you will always hit a ceiling of support.

Good schools should be neighborhood resources. It is a good sign when they can built relationships and community beyond the school walls.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2016 16:20     Subject: Re:HRCS charging admission to its auction gala?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Just saw Facebook ad for Stokes' gala. $60 or $100 VIP with food and drinks VIP one hour ahead of time. Does that mean the $60 ticket doesn't include food/drink. It's held at DC Brau. Stokes has a very high FARM rate, it doesn't seem like parents are their target for these.

The Good Life
Please join us for an evening of dancing, live art, a silent auction, delicious food, and beverages, to benefit
Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School.

Saturday, May 21, 2016
DC Brau
3178 Bladensburg Road NE

Honorary Chair: Brandon Skall, CEO and Co-Owner of DC Brau

6:00 PM: VIP Reception
7:00 PM: General Admission

The VIP Reception is generously hosted by Brandon Skall. Tickets are $100 and include access to general admission, food provided by The Queen Vic, beverages, and a steel drum performance by Stokes School Music Teacher, Francis Richards.

General admission tickets are $50 and include beverages, food provided by Stokes School Chef, Chris Headecker, a live DJ, and performance artists.


Calling it "The Good Life"? This is just weird. Can't be aimed at the school community. Maybe politicians and neighborhood climbers?
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2016 16:10     Subject: Re:HRCS charging admission to its auction gala?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Just saw Facebook ad for Stokes' gala. $60 or $100 VIP with food and drinks VIP one hour ahead of time. Does that mean the $60 ticket doesn't include food/drink. It's held at DC Brau. Stokes has a very high FARM rate, it doesn't seem like parents are their target for these.

The Good Life
Please join us for an evening of dancing, live art, a silent auction, delicious food, and beverages, to benefit
Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School.

Saturday, May 21, 2016
DC Brau
3178 Bladensburg Road NE

Honorary Chair: Brandon Skall, CEO and Co-Owner of DC Brau

6:00 PM: VIP Reception
7:00 PM: General Admission

The VIP Reception is generously hosted by Brandon Skall. Tickets are $100 and include access to general admission, food provided by The Queen Vic, beverages, and a steel drum performance by Stokes School Music Teacher, Francis Richards.

General admission tickets are $50 and include beverages, food provided by Stokes School Chef, Chris Headecker, a live DJ, and performance artists.


So $50 ticket doesn't even include a beer?
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2016 16:01     Subject: Re:HRCS charging admission to its auction gala?
Anonymous wrote:Just saw Facebook ad for Stokes' gala. $60 or $100 VIP with food and drinks VIP one hour ahead of time. Does that mean the $60 ticket doesn't include food/drink. It's held at DC Brau. Stokes has a very high FARM rate, it doesn't seem like parents are their target for these.

The Good Life
Please join us for an evening of dancing, live art, a silent auction, delicious food, and beverages, to benefit
Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School.

Saturday, May 21, 2016
DC Brau
3178 Bladensburg Road NE

Honorary Chair: Brandon Skall, CEO and Co-Owner of DC Brau

6:00 PM: VIP Reception
7:00 PM: General Admission

The VIP Reception is generously hosted by Brandon Skall. Tickets are $100 and include access to general admission, food provided by The Queen Vic, beverages, and a steel drum performance by Stokes School Music Teacher, Francis Richards.

General admission tickets are $50 and include beverages, food provided by Stokes School Chef, Chris Headecker, a live DJ, and performance artists.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2016 15:56     Subject: HRCS charging admission to its auction gala?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:How much extra do I have to pay to support the school but NOT have to attend the gala and where can I sign up?




You can donate as much as you want at any time without any obligation to attend anything. Send the school a check and letter requesting receipt so you can include in your tax filing for next year.

Did you really need that explained to you or have you never donated to a charity before?


I love the "actually" brigade. If the school charged an extra fee to be sure you wouldn't be seated by this life-of-the-party, donations would go through the roof.




I'd much rather be with people who are motivated to attend and spend than someone whose resentful about going. Go if you want, don't go if you don't want. Give money privately if you want. Why is this so complicated for some people?


Seems like they don't want to go (for whatever reason), fine. But they also don't want anyone else to go and have a good time either. If you have a better method for raising cash, trust me, the PTA volunteers across the city are all ears.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2016 15:51     Subject: Re:HRCS charging admission to its auction gala?
Just saw Facebook ad for Stokes' gala. $60 or $100 VIP with food and drinks VIP one hour ahead of time. Does that mean the $60 ticket doesn't include food/drink. It's held at DC Brau. Stokes has a very high FARM rate, it doesn't seem like parents are their target for these.
Anonymous
Post 04/20/2016 15:01     Subject: HRCS charging admission to its auction gala?
It stands to reason that if attendees get food and drinks (and usually alcoholic drinks, at that), then you should pay. If you don't wanna pay, then don't go. Simple as that.