An old rhythm and blues song goes, “The best things in life are free, but you can keep them for the birds and bees–now give me money. That’s what I want. A whole lot of money.” While this particular tune may not be performed during the summer concert by your local choir, it’s a refrain repeated frequently in meetings and other private settings as groups seek to find new and innovative ways to raise funds.
The Springfield Mid-America Singers brought in the bucks by selling tickets to annual tours of apartment lofts and a performance by three tenors at a cozy Italian restaurant last spring. The Women’s Chorus of Dallas has taken advantage of an ever-growing golf craze by sponsoring a weekend-long annual tournament that also features bids for caddies. Countless other choirs across the country are employing everything from silent auctions to gambling events and telephone pledges to raise funds, and these are just some of the methods used to support their groups.
Whether it’s a professional or all-volunteer choir, raising funds is now vitally important for choirs to stay afloat. Choral groups across the country are always on the lookout for benefactors and the newest and hottest ideas. What was successful for three years running can easily become stale in the fourth year. That’s what happened to the Women’s Chorus of Dallas’s annual High Rollers Halloween Casino Party, and before that, an annual variety show. “It gets harder to raise funds,” says Eve Campbell, executive director of TWCD. “You have to be aware of what’s working for other organizations. You have to stay fresh and competitive.”
As funding for the arts has decreased, fund raising has become even more critical. “There are a lot of people trying to raise money for many good causes,” says Charles Facer, artistic director and conductor for the Missouri-based Springfield Mid-America Singers. “We’re not trying to find a cure for a disease or feed a poor child. In terms of priorities, that puts us way down the totem pole.”
Further complicating matters is a shrinking pool of donors. People are increasingly finding their entertainment by simply sitting in front of their computer screens–and a populace raised on the sounds of MTV may lack an appreciation for choral music. Additionally, Facer notes that, for example, while the City of Springfield benefits economically from the entertainment offered in neighboring Branson, that same musical mecca has taken a bite out of Springfield’s potential donor pool. A similar problem faces choral groups across the country. “It’s always a challenge,” says Maurice Staples, executive director of Chorus America, whose membership includes 540 choruses. “Competition is a major concern.”
That’s why the most successful fund-raising efforts tap into a special and unique offering of the community. The downtown Springfield area is undergoing a major renaissance, and a part of that effort is the refurbishing of loft apartments. For the past five years, approximately 10 loft owners have agreed to let strangers tour their homes. The ticket prices are modest, but profits exceed $2,000, which for a 40-member group is an impressive piece of change. It works because many of the apartments on the tour are undergoing renovations, and the following year participants are able to view their completion. In spite of this, Facer knows there will eventually be no more newly renovated apartment lofts to view. Indeed, the tour has already survived the standard three years–a much longer shelf life than many charitable events enjoy.
Staples believes that what you do after you receive the donation is just as important as actually getting the check. He says, “It’s critical to nurture, develop, and cultivate.”
