Archive for the ‘Non-Profit’ Category

Reflections on Event Planning

Monday, August 30th, 2010

by Chelsea Gross

This summer has been a unique opportunity for me to broaden my experience planning events for non-profit organizations. Ginger Donnan Events (GDE) is currently working with two organizations promoting cancer research, and supporting the families of those with a cancer patient: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and the Family Reach Foundation, respectively. While I’ve planned events for a non-profit organization in the past, it’s been interesting to balance a variety of clients without being limited to just one cause. Our work is benefiting all sorts of institutions and their missions, making me a more well-rounded event planner. I find this very rewarding.

Another unique experience has been creating the maps for the LLS Light the Night Walks. My previous experience making maps included receiving an assignment, creating the map, and the job was complete. The maps for the Light the Night Walks require me to be more interactive as we adjust Walk routes and place tables and tents in various locations.

Just as with any job, there is a set of specified skills which are used on a daily basis to successfully achieve a goal. We are creating timelines and managing tasks, which contribute to the greater goal – a successful event. However, I’m finding that the beauty of being an event planner does not necessarily stem from the repetitive use of dozens of skills but rather from the freedom to use those skills to work with a variety of different clients. The skills remain the same, but the application differs. This opens up a world of opportunities to both the client and the event planner to create a more enriching planning experience. I’m looking forward to continuing to expand this event planning experience for both personal growth and the growth of the relationships with our clients.

Cartographer Chelsea Gross Joins the Team

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

Chelsea

A passion for geography and a desire for organization has led the newest member, Chelsea Gross, to the Ginger Donnan Events team. A recent graduate of Hunter College, Chelsea will be joining our office to create the site maps for the five New Jersey Light the Night Walks for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and assisting with administrative responsibilities over the next few months. So, don’t be surprised if you hear a new voice at the other end of the phone line! 

To learn more about Chelsea’s cartography skills, visit chelseathecartographer.tumblr.com.

Please join us in offering a warm welcome to Chelsea!

Volunteers Needed for Cancer Causes

Thursday, July 8th, 2010

This October, we’re organizing events for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the Family Reach Foundation, two worthy non-profits helping those with cancer. All of these events are going to have thousands of attendees and we need hands to help with registration, giving out food and beverage and other tasks. Will you spend half a day with us helping out?

Here are the dates/places:

Leukemia & Lymphoma Light the Night Walks
Saturday, October 2: Princeton, NJ or Verona, NJ
Saturday, October 9: Camden, NJ or Morristown, NJ or Red Bank, NJ

Family Reach 5K & Family Fun Run
Sunday, October 24: Mahwah, NJ

Contact ginger@gingerdonnanevents.com as soon as possible to sign up for one or more events and please also share this information with friends and family who may be interested in helping out! Thanks in advance for your support!

Fighting Cancer on the Fairway

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

For the 14th year, our client the Family Reach Foundation is having their annual Golf Classic and Dinner Reception and spots are still available! This year’s event is taking place at the Brooklake Country Club in Florham Park, New Jersey on Monday, July 26.

Family Reach Foundation provides financial relief and heartfelt support to families fighting through the overwhelming challenges and costs of cancer. Co-founded by the Colangelo and Morello families, in honor of their children who lost their fights to pediatric cancer, Family Reach helped over 300 families in 2009 – almost one family per day!

In addition to golf and dinner spots, sponsorship packages are still available including the $750 Compassion Sponsor with these benefits:

• Logo prominently placed on dinner program
• Logo/link on Family Reach Foundation website
• Signage at designated areas
• Two (2) guests for dinner

Over 140 golfers and 300 dinner attendees are expected from the Northern New Jersey area and this is a great opportunity to market local businesses to the community as well as to enjoy some golf, food and philanthropic fun.

To sign up for a sponsorship or to attend, click here. We look forward to seeing you there!

Poll: Should Fundraisers Be Focused on the Mission or the Guests?

Friday, May 14th, 2010

Last week, we attended an organization’s first-time fundraiser to evaluate the potential for a much larger event next year. The event was a hybrid, combining a year-end celebration for 50 of the high-school girls participating in the organization’s program and an opportunity to share with the general public the program’s benefits. The event was described in the invitation as a dance concert and tickets for the general public cost $250.

The room in the high school where the event took place was draped with black cloth in order to transform the environment. Wine and hors d’oeuvres were served throughout the 3-hour event and in between dance songs, during which the girls sat on risers and the adults mingled, presentations were made by experts in the health and wellness industry along with a final presentation by a famous newscaster to an Oscar-winning movie producer and generous donor of the organization.

We found the event to be firmly in line with the organization’s mission and culture but we did hear compliants about the less-than-typical nature of the fundraiser, with an audience made up of 50% donors and 50% high-school girls, and the dance-party theme.

Do you think the guests got enough for their $250 ticket?

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