[Show me the MONEY!]

Thanks for taking the time to post that! It was very interesting and informative.

It's been a couple of years since I was in the loop, but when I was corps director, Minnesota Brass, Inc. used a variety of funding techniques. Perhaps by revealing these other corps can get ideas about how to creatively raise funds.

In no particular order...

1) Corps Dues - MBI only charges around $250 for dues, so it doesn't go very far. Still, this method also has the side benefit of driving the corps toward being bigger. Bigger corps = bigger dollars. A full size corps will bring in about $32,000 at the $250 level.

2) Matching Gifts - MBI always asks where their members work. The reason is that often a corporation will match funds donated to a non-profit by one of their employees. Corps dues can constitute a "donation" depending on the rules of the particular business. Also realize that IRS regulations do permit corps members to claim as deductions any mileage and other ancillary costs associated with their membership in said organization. These costs could also be claimed as donations, again, depending on the particular rules and could be matched by an employee's company.

3) Non-Profit Work Agreements - Minnesota Brass, Inc. benefits from having a relationship with the Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis. This NFL/MLB stadium has a program that offers non-profits the opportunity to make money by staffing concessions booths. A percentage of the proceeds of the booth goes toward the non-profit that is staffing the booth. Here, MBI uses the program primarily to allow corps members a way to "work off' their dues by crediting each member a certain amount of money per gig working at the Metrodome. However, depending on how you structure such an agreement, the corps can also skim a few bucks off the top. For example, if the Metrodome pays $50 per worker, the corps may opt to credit the member with $45 and keep the extra $5. It's not much, but it can pay for drumsticks!

4) Performance Fees - Everyone here is familiar with this. But what really counts is that 1), the better the product, the higher a fee it can command and 2) the greater the demand, the greater the return. Most corps know that they can make thousands of dollars on the 4th of July. In the Midwest, DCM traditionally created their schedule in such a way that each member corps could stay close to home on the 4th, thereby increasing their potential to make money. MBI in the past has marched up to 3 parades on the 4th, asking for upwards of $2000 per gig. This can be a significant source of funds. But here is the key: The corps must be recognizably better than their competition, namely the marching bands. A parade sponsor will be willing to part with their hard-earned funds if you can offer them a product that is distinctive and of high-quality!

5) Corps Concession Sales - Every corps needs to develop a marketable image that fans will respond to. "Cool" items sell. "Cheesy" items do not. Be aware of current fashion and try to create a sophisticated look to your merchandise. Depending on the fortunes of your corps, you can make a few thousand dollars.

6) Gambling - If you are eligible to conduct gaming in your state, do so! MBI in the past conducted Bingo games but was swamped by the rise of the Indian gaming casinos. However, MBI was able to sucessfully conduct a couple of pull-tab operations that have been profitable. Make sure you are operating according to all State and Federal laws! Be as "transparent" an organization as you can. Again, even if the amount of money you take in seems negligible, go for it. Positive cash flow is always a good thing.

7) Gifts & Grants - Research your local Grant-giving communities! Even if you think it's a waste of time to write a grant proposal for $300, do it! Often a history of getting grants - no matter how small - will convince the next foundation to give you their funds because you have now achieved a level of "legitimacy." But the biggest issue is to try and target specific foundations that focus on such things as "continuing adult education," "visual arts," "music," "performance art," or things like that. If you can reasonable argue that your corps satisfies the focus of a particular foundation's gift-giving program, then write a proposal that couches your corps in those terms! But do your research and know how to write an effective proposal.

8) Alumni - This may not work with newer corps, but try to tap into your alumni base. If you have always strived to create a positive corps experience then former members will be more apt to contribute funds for a particular project.

9) Be Specific - Try to create a specific "project" that you are trying to fund. Let's say you want to replace your drums. Create a "percussion fund drive" so that potential donors will know exactly how their money is going to be used. You might also want to give a dinner to thank those donors, or at least recognize their contributions at your annual banquet. But make sure they are invited!

10) Volunteers - This is the absolute, most important point! MAKE SURE you treat everyone who volunteers to do something - no matter how small - with respect and gratitude. You MUST create a "family" of drum corps volunteers. After all, why should anyone be involved with an organization that is no fun? We're all here on this planet to enjoy life. And we should always find joy in doing fun things with our friends and family. It's not worth doing if it can't be done with love and affection.

There are other ways of raising funds, but the last point above is the most crucial. If you can create an atmosphere where people are always welcome, then people will always find a creative way to raise money that you might never have thought of yourself. And they will do it because they want to. Not because you asked them to.

[Favorite Cadets Championship Show?]

1985 was so out there,imo,it made me want to be a part of  a corps that did something like that. :)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And I thought you joined because the bananas slipped away :P

[When you wish upon a Star]

Proof that I loved Star: I read all these posts just now :-)

Some Star memories: I remember in '86 warming up with Garfield in a semi circle before a show. In the distance I heard Star playing through ET. The sound was so rich and full. I turned to a fellow bari and said something like, "that corp is gonna be something great". My statement got a wince of disapproaval. I also remember at some show in '86 when an annoucer called you guys Star of India. I'm laughing thinking about it because the stadium collectively laughed and the announcer, who I think was a local town official who was picked to announce the awards, responded embarrasingly with, "C'mon folks that was a simple mistake". Oh, and as a member of the Bushwackers in '84, I/we had the honor of wearing pink first as Cesario designed our unis too. Wish Star would come back!! In fact, I have emailed Mr Cook a few times stating that.