We would like to share with
you our experiences by featuring a show case of events
we have been directly involved with.
 |
Hatfield House Gala
Concert in aid of St Mary’s, Cheshunt Victorian Organ
Appeal.
Following the acceptance of the Marquess of Salisbury to
become the Appeal Patron, we made a direct approach
asking whether we could use his magnificent home for an
event. |
Our aim for the event was
to promote the appeal and to raise significant funds for
the organ restoration project. The restoration of the
1891 Victorian Organ, although an important part of
heritage would never have the appeal to the majority of
trusts and other funding organisations, so raising the
£155,000 needed would not be an easy task.
The event was planned, a
Gala Charity Concert in the magnificent Marble Hall at
Hatfield House, by kind permission of the Marquess of
Salisbury. The event then came together well, the
performers were known to the Vicar of St Mary’s and
therefore we were able to secure the Dussek Piano Trio
at greatly reduced cost and through successful
networking got all the costs including the champagne
reception, interval drinks and canapés sponsored by
Tesco’s who have their head office in Cheshunt. All we
had to do now was sell the tickets! It proved to be a
very successful event, enjoyed by all and still talked
about today. The event raised around £8,500 and indeed
raised the profile of the appeal, which brought in
further donations.
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The Russian Revival Fund aims to train
Russian psychotherapists to understand and treat
the mental illness and family stress that have
become so widespread since the collapse of the
former Soviet Union.
Its last event was
"Tea at Pushkin
House" in Bloomsbury Square. The event was
particularly focused around the background of
its work and the venue itself. |
Simon Sebag Montefiore,
eminent journalist and author of Young Stalin,
was in conversation with Bridget Kendall, BBC
journalist and diplomatic correspondent, and the event
was chaired by Robert Chandler, translator of Vasily Grossman and Andrey Platonov. The event was a
sell-out and raised over £7,000 for the Fund.
 |
Parachute Jump! Not everyone’s cup of tea
but there are crazy people out there ready to do
this for your organisation. The experience
within Midas was working with Emmaus St
Albans, homeless charity. We asked a local
trust who have already given support over a
number of years to sponsor the event by paying
for 20 places, which they agreed to do.
Then we carefully
selected the 20 people to jump aiming to raise
£1,000 per person. |
People working in large
companies who would then provide match funding for any
sponsorship raised were targeted, and this enlisted
jumpers from three banks, a local construction company,
and BP. Then through networking we recruited three
teachers from local private schools and got them to
secure the backing of their pupils (and the parents of
course) – it all came together the day was long but
rewarding, a lot of friendships were formed many are
still supporting the Emmaus Community and a total of
£27,000 was raised through their efforts.
 |
Drinks receptions with presentations !
Midas has been involved with many of these types
of events which have proved to be extremely
worthwhile and rewarding in both raising money,
raising profile and gaining long term
partnerships. The key in making these events
successful is having the right person hosting
the event. Someone who is well known respected
and has significant networks. |
A recent one for the
Cancer Treatment and Research Trust in Mount Vernon,
involved the then High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, who had
excellent networks locally and also in the city. West
Lodge Park Hotel, an excellent venue for the purpose,
was kindly provided by the owner. Key speakers made the
difference, our host starting off with a warm welcome
and passionate delivery of personal experience, followed
by a presentation giving the facts about why the funding
was required and what could be delivered and ending with
again another passionate speech from a former patient of
the centre who as a result of the treatment got the all
clear. The whole event lasted two hours and resulted in
many donations of different levels, further events
including two dinners, another large reception, a
fashion show and introductions to trusts and
organisations who have since supported the appeal. The
money still comes in as a result of this event, which
was 18 months ago.
Key Requirements for
Successful Events
Hosts, venue selection,
highly motivated and driven people’s involvement,
realistic budget’s, clear aim of the event and realistic
expectations, timing, careful planning, risk analysis,
people’s enjoyment - don’t make presentations long and
boring, have speakers who can show their passion and
deliver the message which people can understand and buy
into, and finally don’t forget to follow up on all
leads. In the case of a drinks reception where a large
number of people attend – have a debriefing session with
all charity representatives directly after the guests
have left, brief conversations can sometimes be
forgotten or not seem important the next day.
If you would like to
discuss Midas involvement in charity event planning and
management please contact Midas on 020 3271 0036.
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New Midas
Seminar
 |
Equal Opportunities and the Charity Sector.
Most charities are particularly concerned to achieve best
practice in the field of equal opportunities. Martin Shaw of
Midas Charity Appeals introduces this breakfast seminar by
James Carmody of Reculver Solicitors reviewing recent
developments in equal opportunities law, including the
fields of Race, Sex, Disability, Religious belief, Sexual
Orientation and Age and looks forward to the impact the
planned Equality Bill is likely to have in this
controversial area. |
This
seminar takes place in Clerkenwell, London EC1, is free
to charities and will take place on Wednesday
November 5th, with coffee and pastries from 8.45 am,
starting at 9.15 am and finishing promptly at 10.15 am
with a chance for informal discussion afterwards.
If
you wish to book a place please contact Martin Shaw
either by phone on 020 3271 0036 or by email at
info@midasappeals.org.uk Book now as places are
limited.
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US Funding
 |
US Funding. If you have a sound project,
good organisational management, and perhaps a
connection (albeit tenuous!) with the United
States, have you considered the possibility of
looking at the potential sources of funding from
there ?
It will require
different thinking in the way funders are
approached, and usually the involvement of your
Trustees, but it is possible with our help ! |
Midas works closely with a
consultant in US fundraising and he will next be in
London between 29th September and 17th October. If you
would like to meet with him for an informal chat, and
you can meet our three requirements, why not contact us
and we will arrange this. Emails please to
martinshaw@midasappeals.org.uk with a brief outline
of what you have in mind.
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Vacancies
This newsletter provides a free service to Midas clients
to advertise fundraising staff and trustee vacancies. Please
contact
lesleyhynes@midasappeals.org.uk if you would like to
advertise a salary or recruit a trustee.
|
FUNDRAISING MANAGER : RoadPeace
South London
Flexible one day a week with
potential to expand in the future
Salary in the region of £6,000
per annum
|
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Set up in 1992,
RoadPeace is the UK’s national charity working
to support road crash victims and reduce road
danger. An opportunity has now arisen for a new
Fundraising Manager to help raise funds from
sources such as charitable trusts, foundation
and statutory sources. Based at the charity’s
new offices in Loughborough Junction in South
London, you will need to have the determination
to turn opportunities and ideas into reality.
With proven experience of fundraising, you will
be an effective communicator with strong
organisational skills.
If this sounds
like the role for you, find out more about
Roadpeace from our website at
http://www.roadpeace.org Still interested?
Please contact Amy Aeron-Thomas on 020 8838 5102
and request a job description and details of how
to apply. Informal enquiries also welcome.
Closing date is Monday 15th September
2008. |
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