RFPADirector
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Posts posted by RFPADirector
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I was thinking about this the other day but why not hold non-drum corps competitions. During the off-season hold local marching band, color guard, winter drumline shows. I am not sure how profitable these are but it also helps with recruiting as well.
We will be helping with an indoor show this year. I will let you know how it works out. I do know that if you sell ads, get trophy sponsors, do extra things like best director (kids put their change in them), candy/bear/flower/whatever grams, button makers seem popular (insert witty phrases here). I also would use excess flag material to make kiddie flags. I always see kids walking around with these. They sell them for $5-$10. I've also seen practice flags for sale (full size on pole for like $15-$20 or more). I always have extra flag material. You could make mini version of show flags, or just solids, stripes, whatever. You've already budgeted and paid for the material, why not put it to good use? You can bust out a plain practice flag in 5 to 10 minutes.
Chalet
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As far as the grants, if ANYONE can point us in the direction of where these foundations are, we will gladly commit the time to write.
We just got funded through the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. They take money from the Commonwealth (almost wrote state) and the National Endowment for the Arts and put the money in a pool. There are organizations that represent each section of the state. Here is the information for your region:
Zach Flock, Program Coordinator
3 East 4 Street, Suite 10
Erie, PA 16507
Phone: 814-452-3427
Fax: 814-452-3128
zachf@artscouncilof erie.org
http://www.artscounciloferie.org
Serves: Erie, Crawford, Warren
They just gave out the grants for this year, but maybe next year. You can download the forms online here: http://www.pacouncilonthearts.org/pa_partn...ntact.cfm?pid=2
In our area you don't get funded for more than $3000. They like to offer to as many programs as they can. They spread the money out between more groups. They funded our small indoor percussion. They will not fund for competitions (they won't sponsor a show). Hope this info helps!!
Also, the Erie County Public Library has the searchable database I mentioned in an earlier post. Here is their website: http://www.erielibrary.org/magnewdata.html They say that you can search the database for free. They may offer classes on how to write grants, etc. Our library does for a cost.
Hope this helps!!
Chalet
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Also some places like Wal-mart has a program where you can do a car wash and raise money in the parking lot and whatever money you raise, the store will match the same amount if you go in and show them.
Hope that helps and good luck. :)
Combine a bake sale with your car wash for more $ opportunities. Don't forget to have breads so people can take them home for dinner (we've always done well with this). Quick breads and bread maker breads. Don't be afraid to sell whole pies. We always sell our Shoo-Fly pies.
We did a bake sale in Feb (what were we thinking!!! it was 37deg) at a Sam's Club. We combined it with hotdogs, soda and hot chocolate (a big hit!!). Another good idea is to have juice boxes. We did a street fair (in Aug) and we sold out of our juice boxes. Parent's were so happy to find something perfect for their kids.
Be persistent about the matching part. Our stores like to forget that you asked about it. Ours also limits the match up to $300. Might be different elsewhere.
Yes, there's something wrong with me....I like to fundraise! :P
Chalet
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Who do you usually contact at corporations to request donations? Do you send a letter or call?
Write up a nice letter that is short and sweet, to the point! Take it to local businesses like restaurants, supermarkets, etc. My special events class just did this for our major event on Tuesday. Local supermarkets gave us between $10-$25 each in gift cards. They have a budget they have to give away every month. Walmart does too, just get there early in the month before it's all allocated (ours needed 4 weeks notice). Our group had luck getting a gift card from BJ's too. Remember Walmart gift cards can be used at Sam's Club too. Local restaraunts gave everything from free appetizers (TGI Fridays and Texas Roadhouse - they gave us 23 free ones) to $25-$40 in gift certificates for food. Cracker Barrel has gold cards that are good for dinner for 2. They only have a certain number they can give away. Go at the beginning of the month.
I listed this before, but our local bagel chain will donate the unused bagels at the end of business. Call ahead to arrange a date, then bring a letter. We are getting about 300 bagels. Get them Friday night for Saturday morning breakfast...just bring the cream cheese! Our bagel chain is Big Apple Bagels. All three of our local stores will help.
A lot of bigger chain programs require you go through their corporate office. Make sure you hit them up at least 4 weeks in advance of the date you need the items. (we learned that OfficeMax won't even fund arts related programming. bummer)
You can use these collected items for purchasing food (grocery store cards) or to fill baskets for bingo, prizes at a festival, door prizes, etc. We are having a spirit event and the prizes are going to the winners (like wing eating contest, etc).
Call before you ask a local business (like a car dealer or lawyer, doctor, etc). Some companies will have a foundation that gives money out. Make sure you know the name of the person who is in charge of that. Your letter should be addressed to them directly. If it says "to whom it may concern", there's a good chance it may not even be read.
Whatever you do, keep good notes so you know who to ask next year and who to avoid. Also, send a Thank you letter that states the value of what was donated to you. This is how the business can claim it. And a good way to get funded in the future! ;)
Chalet
edit for spelling errors and to further explain bagel info.
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Our local hospice sells raffle tickets for a car each year. I bought a ticket for $50 and grilled them on how it works. They buy a car in April for dealer invoice. The dealer lets them leave the car on the lot, and they pick it up on weekends to take to events for tickets sales (they said you HAVE to show the car to drive sales). The don't have to pay for the car until July 1st, giving them a few months to sell the 400 tickets needed to pay for the car. The dealer also sells tickets, and the drawing is at a local restruant the weekend after labor day. They max the sales at 1500 tickets, and sold almost that many this year. Let's see, a $20,000 Mustang can drive sales of 1500 tickets at $50 each, for a total sale of $75,000, minus car cost is a cool PROFIT of $55,000.
More ambitious? Raffle a Jaguar like our local hospital. Less ambitious? Raffle a Harley (like the Raiders DB Corps), a John Deer Tractor, a four wheeler ect...you get the idea. The only thing you need is a few individuals to make the deal for dealer invoice and sit selling tickets at local events.
I LOVE This!! I always wondered how they pulled off buying or getting the car donated. Now it makes sense. We have a Harley plant in York (the one that Bush visited a couple months back). This is definitely Hog country. I see a spring fundraiser in the works! Thanks for the inspiration!!
Chalet
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This may have been one of my better posts...it led to an extended discussion with a couple of drum corps pals and it's sparked ideas on here. Nice work people!
Hey...I had a thought as well. I have a friend who used to run the booster organization for a drum corps. They did haunted houses every October.
In Tempe alone there are like 6 different ones and all are very well attended...they charge $15 a person and they get between 8 and 10K in guests over a 25 day period. For those non-math inclined...$120K - $150K for maybe 35 days worth of work. Now..you must have a local base of members and volunteers, but for about $10K in construction costs it's a huge profit margin. The members who worked had so much an hour deducted from their dues and if both their parents worked with them (as was usually the case) it was 3X the amount per hour. So kids could get a significant part of their dues paid by working this fundraiser.
Do any corps still do a haunted house? I think Glassmen used to at one time...anyway, I know a guy with tons of experience and nuts and bolts knowledge on how to get this done.
We did this in college (the first time through). Phi Mu Alpha (music fraternity) would get a vacant space in a mall. The people entered from the outside. They used huge trashbag type things put on poles (I think of huge guard flags) to mark out the direction and separate the rooms. Each brother planned a room. They had a butcher shop, a crazy preacher, a spider that rappelled from the ceiling. My favorite was a dark hallway where we would stick our hands out and grab the kids coming through. We had a room full of leaves where people were hiding under the leaves with ugly masks on. That one always got people. If a group was moving to slowly, we had a guy dressed up as a werewolf and "Jason" (with a chainsaw) that would chase the group through. Those two would also come out and scare the line. We charged betwen 5-10 and the cost was reduced if they brought a new toy for a charity.
They did REALLY well, but they also were the only one around. We had a blast doing it too. I only remember it being open for two weekends. Lots of prep, but I don't think it was that expensive....the sky's the limit though with these things....
Chalet
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Excellent topic Tom. You have hit on a something that I've been spending the better part of a year trying to figure out.
One piece of advice I'm taking from a former Corps director is that corps need to do more grant writing. I am aware that writing grant proposals is a labor intensive activity but when done right can bring in mountains (sometimes) of cash. Every little bit helps and when a corps has the right resources the sky is the limit.
Grant writing...
I took a grant writing class at York College of PA in the spring and it was the best thing I could have done!! I advise taking one. Grant writing is a different language, but once you learn it, you really can't unlearn it. Proposals may be labor intensive, but once you get one established, you can start with that each time you approach a new funder. Be prepared to schmooze...take the funder out to lunch...etc. We were actually taught that in class....lol
People may not know this but large corporations are "required" to donate money. For example, there are over 17 foundations (that fund proposals) in my little town. There are more, but these are the ones who fund programs like a drum corps. You can also write a "mini-grant" to places like Lions Clubs, banks, young professionals, etc. Any time you request funds, think of it as a small grant. Cover all of the bases that a grant would. You will be more successful.
There is a searchable database from the Foundation Center (http://foundationcenter.org/). Our local library has the searchable database (see if you have one near you here http://foundationcenter.org/collections/). You narrow down your search by area and by using specific search words, etc. Then you can print out potential funders. Our library offers classes etc as well. There is also a book called A Guide to Winning Proposals. There are a ton of references on this site!!
I have a 100% track record so far. I've found that funders are interested in the marching genre - it's unique. You will not have a hard time explaining why you're program is unique.
Please don't be discouraged by grant writing. I would be willing to offer some advice and help if you PM me. Maybe I can go do a search for you....for example.
Thanks and good luck!
Chalet
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Here is something we just found out about. Big Apple Bagels (nationwide) will donate the bagels they could not sell (left overs, and I think the bagels can only be so many hours old) to non-profits. You square up the day, take in a request on letterhead and pick up the bagels after they close. Our college special events class received about 350 bagels last year. We have 3 of these bagel shops in our community. This year we hope to get about 500 bagels. this would be a way to save some money on expense of feeding the corps. Even if you don't have this particular chain in your area, your local shop might still do something similar.
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I have another, simple fundraising idea. Instead of soliciting financial donations, ask parents, alumni, and volunteers to donate items... for example:
~Tickets to Broadway events or sporting events...
~Admission tickets to Universal or Disney....
~Items from corporations...sometimes called "Samples" or demo items that haven't been used, but can't be sold as new.
~Collectors items that you personally don't want anymore, but other people might (like Snap on calendars, records, porcelain figurines, unopened Avon or Mary Kay).
Once all of the items are donated, the Magic could announce and promote an E-bay auction, with all proceeds going to the corps.
My donation would be considered tax-deductible, and the winner wouldn't necessarily care who the seller was. Sometimes, items sold on e-bay are sold for more than market value. If the winner was a drum corps/Magic fan, they might inflate the price, in order to support the corps.
While parents might not have the time to volunteer, I would think that most of them would donate something for the cause.
Memphis Sound did this last year before they left for tour. It looked like it was really successful.
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I collect pins, so this year I got Esperanza (first time seeing them, me being an east coaster) and Blue Stars. I tried to get Mandarins, but there stand wasn't there (DCI East-Friday), or I couldn't find it.
We recently filled out our DVD's to include 1980-2005. We also got the Blue Devils "The Line" DVD. Going to get the hubby 06 DVD I & II/III for Christmas.
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Renaissance Indoor Percussion is looking to purchase 3 sets of marching cymbals. I thought I would ask here first, in case anyone has some and needs some dough.
Thanks!
Chalet
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3. In their role as the primary governing body for the activity, what specific steps have been taken by DCI over the years to GROW the activity? (Please do not confuse activity GROWTH with activity PROMOTION, they are separate issues. Where is DCI's strategic plan for growth of the activity?) Again, I admit that there is no specified responsibility for DCI to be concerned with activity growth, because it is not stated as either a part of their mission nor vision statements, but I do think it is a fair question that deserves an answer.
Personally, I think that DCI is helping growth by requiring that new corps go through the EXTENSIVE evaluation process. Yes, it's a pain in the butt, yes it's cumbersome, yes it's about 6 pages long. But if a new corps follows the advice that is set before them, they are very likely to achieve what they want to achieve. I think this is helping to grow more stable programs. Does it help the little corps' that are trying to get started... yes and no. No, because it will take awhile to achieve all that DCI wants you to achieve. Yes, because when you achieve it, you will have a solid program.
As a director of an upstart small corps, I wish there was a regional circuit in our area again (Garden State Circuit). This would help us to garner exposure and some financial gains. But alas, life has to be a little more difficult (I keep telling myself it will be worth it in the end....lol).
Also, it should be mentioned that the DCI div ii/iii folks are great at helping. We have been told on numerous occassions that when we are ready, they will do what they can to allow us to appear at a div ii/iii show, even if just to play the national anthem or play the majors back on the field. I think this is incredibly generous.
And to Stef, I'm sorry that the area you were in was not supportive of your efforts to bring a corps to them. They don't know what they missed out on. We struggle with this somewhat as well. We have a few band directors in our area that are anti-corps no matter who you are. But we have some supporters too. On a positive note...Renaissance just received a grant from our local performing arts council. (They put the money from the state and the NEA in a pot and divide it out to the county agencies for distribution). Sure it was for $847 but it's $847 we didn't have. It was for our indoor percussion. We will be getting the corps off the ground in the next year (parades) and on the field between 2-4 years.
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During my stint with a fortune 500 financial services complany, I seem to recall them telling me I had to pick from a list of United Way agencies. Also, I don't recall any performing arts groups on my list either.
BTW, United Way can take 11% off the top, they do organize and distribute funds to an awful big bunch of agencies, some one has to do that work.
Is anyone familiar with eBay giving? You can donate a percentage of your sale to groups, but I could not find any corps on the list. Current I sell some stuff and send my profits, but it could be so much easier. Maybe corps (or even DCI) should look at getting on as many "give me some money" lists as possible? It is probably free, and couldn't hurt.
The corps has to register with MissionFish and then they will be listed as a part of ebay giving works. The organization can then list items for profit to the program. Other sellers can also choose the group/corps from a list, but I believe there is a minimum to have to donate (don't know the specifics, but I'm sure it's on ebay somewhere). We just sell for ourselves, so I haven't tried benefitting another program.
As far as "give me some money" sites...
You can register through igive.com to support your favorite corps through online shopping. Ebay is included too, so register through igive.com then link to ebay from their mall. Each store determines their percentage of donation (up to 20% but most are 4-10%). Not a bad deal if you're going to buy something anyway. They have some good stores too.
efundraising.com also lets you accept magazine sales through an online form too. A lot of fundraising programs are getting in on the online selling. Wolfgang Candy from York, PA has online purchasing available to out of town supporters too.
Hope this helps!
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I bet very few schools do just those two things out of the total count. Jeff would be a better source on that, though.
We are counted on TOB's site as a member because of our indoor (Renaissance Indoor Percussion), but we are not a school. There are several independent programs that get counted as members.
Chalet
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As a director of one of the new corps to be arriving in the next few years, I must confess that it is such a thankless job. Every day you fight battles. Every day you have to beg. Every day you think about quitting. Every day you wonder what on earth you've gotten yourself into. I must say that I have made a few friends on the div ii/iii level who are willing to offer advice and help. (If it wasn't for Jeff DeMello, and Tommy Maiello we wouldn't be here) Some of us return to college to get a new degree so that we can help it grow better. (that's me - college at 30 with kids isn't as much fun as college at 18 lol) We do this because we love the activity and have been changed by it in some way. When you see the DCI evaluation for the first time, most people want to turn and run. I'm not against DCI, I feel that the information required to pass the evaluation is crucial to the survival of the program.
I wish to offer a challenge to those who are great at offering opinions and such. Please, please do what you can to support those who are starting a new program. Building a corps from the bottom up is exceptionally difficult. There are programs across the country that are working on creating new corps so that more young people can experience what we all have. Offer a good luck wish, donate time, money or maybe an old instrument... If we all pull together to help the new programs, think of how many more people will actually want to start one...
Is it possible to have a DCP section dedicated to the new corps, where people can offer advice, support, etc?
Thanks,
Chalet
I'm the one who put this census together for DCW. I've done them for DCW for 15 years or more.The purpose of this annual census is to keep track of where drum corps is at present. The survey was never done to say one era is better than another. There have often been surprises, such as back in the 1990's, when half the seasons had growth in the number of junior corps from the previous year.
By the way, the 65 total for 2006 includes ALL North American junior corps ( parade, standstill, concert). Just 55 made it to the competition field.
The most important thing in the entire census is that the junior world is not doing a very good job at creating new corps.....Only two brand-new junior corps were active in 2006. Vision Elite and Chippewa Valley Brigade.
This is an ominous statistic. The new corps must keep coming to offset the ones who go inactive, and it's not happening right now.
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This is really interesting because we were told (here in S Central PA aka York) that our United Way only supports human services organizations, for which we don't qualify. The website info makes it sound that this is not true. We are a young program starting with indoor percussion (hopes to have the ii/iii corps ready in 2-4 years). We asked about it and we were told that we weren't able to participate. Hmmmm.... wonder what's up with that?
Chalet
This is quoted from the Designation Policy from UW website:Making a Designation
You may designate all or a portion of your United Way contribution to any qualified nonprofit organization as defined in section 501©(3) of the IRS Code. To read more about organizations that fit this designation, or to determine if your particular charity is 501©(3), go to www.guidestar.org
Designations need to be made and submitted at the time of the pledge.
Complete information, including the agency name, address, city and state is required to ensure that a designated gift is correctly processed. No numeric agency code is required.
Donor names and gift details are forwarded to designated agencies with each payout. Donor names will not be forwarded if anonymity is requested, or if a donor's employer doesn't provide detailed gift information.
Payment of Designated Gifts
Upon receipt, designated gifts made with cash, check or credit card are paid to agencies in the next scheduled designation payout beginning February 2006. Each year donors make pledges to United Way which are then paid through payroll deduction the following year. One third of each designated payroll deduction gift is paid out three times a year in April, August and December.
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My husband can remember Avant Garde around in 84 & 85 (pretty sure), but don't remember them in 86. We have a tape of them in 84.
We think the LI Kingsmen folded in the early 80s.
Hope this helps!
Help fill in the blanks here okay? Any info would be cool too.Royal Coachmen.....May 1977
Frontiersmen................ 1984(?)
Imperial Regiment........ 1979
Tri Town Cadets
St. Joe's
Magnificent Yankees
Squires
Avant Garde
Patriots
Mighty Liberators
Renegades..................1983
Lockport Blazers..........1982
Greece Cadets
76er's
Eagles
American Patrol
Mello Dears
Alpine Girls
Syracuse Marauders
Gauchos
Black Knights
Kingston Indians
Purple Lancers
Grenadiers
Southern Tier Express
Mark Twain Cadets
St. Rita's Brassmen
LI Kingsmen
St. Ignatius Girls
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Can you please repost the links to your historic sites? Some of us (me particularly) may have pics to offer to be added to your collection. Thank you for your post and for the work you have done in preserving the history of activity for folks like me and my children (aged 5 and 3).
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In 98 the parade stopped and we were kinda open in our ranks. Well someone passed through between, I think it was the brass and drums maybe? Well anyway, a big contra player decided that no one would break the horn ranks. Some dude tried and got closelined. That was funny.
Dundalk, MD (the start of the "Tour de Baltimore/Maryland")...8am start, folks already drunk asking for Skynyrd. Oh yeah, and it sucks when you see the reviewing stand and think it's almost done, only to find out that wast the FIRST reviewing stand. Then you see the 2 more miles mark on the ground after the next one. ugh
Fairfax, VA 4th of July 8am. Passing the banks' clock, 114degrees. that was bad.
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Thank you DCI!! Thank you DCP!! Thanks to all of the posters! I love this thread!
Edit for missing DCP in the thanks, (slaps hand on head, duh)
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Thanks! Has anyone re-created the (short for richard) does drum corps shirt? I haven't seen it. Does this mean it's fair game to re-do? Thoughts? Thanks! Chalet
Edit for clarifying name. Apparantly I can't say the nickname.
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PA will have another corps. Renaissance is building. We have an indoor percussion line now and will begin to expand in the next few years (2-4). Granted we will de a div ii/iii corps. We are taking our time and doing things right. Be patient. It will come. more info on our site www.renaissancedbc.com. We are always looking for volunteers!
Our best to the Crossmen on their move!
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Mike,
Your guard was one of the absolute highlights of that show.. thank you for teaching them!
Stef
Look drum corps folks can get along!! This is SUCH a pleasant change!! Group hug!
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To Chalet:
Thanks for the Académie pics! I taught the guard that year (out of 9 only 2 had spun beofre). It really was a great year.
I have tons of pics from the '95 show - just don't have a scanner!
Later,
Mike
Mike (someone who probably knows how to pronounce my name correctly!! lol)
There are bunches of people who would be willing to scan your pics in for you. I'm sure if you ask, someone will volunteer. :D
You're welcome for the pics!! I loved that show! I was so amazed of what could be accomplished with a small corps. (I had no experience with div ii/iii before this show). I may have some more floating around. I'll look!
Chalet
Bingo is the Problem
in DCI World Class Corps Discussions
Posted
This hasn't been mentioned yet. It could be a big money maker if you have enough people. Scrip is selling gift cards to established businesses. You get people to buy them for face value, you make a profit by buying them for less than face value. Each one's profit margin is different. We use this company http://www.unitedscrip.com/ There are others across the country I'm sure. A local marching band does this weekly and does really well. You can purchase gift cards for your grocery shopping, gifts, gas, etc. Try to market it that you use this stuff anyway, just prebuy it and help out our corps.
Don't forget igive.com for your online shoppers. I always buy my husband's LL Bean shirts through Igive. Ebayers can do it too. You must enter a store/ebay/etc through the mall at igive.com to get the credit. Magazine subscriptions give a huge percentage. I renewed my Oprah magazine for $24 and Renaissance got $8.
Chalet