My e-mail box has been filling up with requests from most of the area’s performing arts groups and other non-profits to take part in the 2015 Giving Challenge which is being held this week.
The logo for the 2015 Giving Challenge for more than 400 Sarasota area non-profit organizations.
Sarasota area residents, and supporters of local organizations from elsewhere in the world have been exceedingly generous in the three previous challenges, which have been held at different times of the year. Last year’s event raised more than $3.1 million, topping much bigger cities that held similar events on the same day.
And that was in just 24 hours, compared to the first two 36-hour challenges that raised $2.4 million in 2012 and $2.78 million in 2013.
More than 400 organizations are registered to participate in this year’s event, which begins at noon Tuesday and runs through noon Wednesday.
As the fund-raising effort has grown, some organizations have gotten more elaborate in their promotion and pitches just to stand out in a crowded field.
Asolo Repertory Theatre is partnering with the FSU/Asolo Conservatory by holding a launch party beginning at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Burns Court Cinemas that includes a reception and a screening of the Academy Award-winning film “West Side Story,” the musical that opens the theater’s new season in November. The theater will happily take your contributions of $25 or more. (Money given to the conservatory will be directed toward replacing the carpeting in the newly renovated Cook Theatre.)
The Urbanite Theatre has tried to build interest by putting together an impressive video highlighting words that supporters used to describe the new edgy downtown playhouse. Those words just happen to be written on the bodies of a male and female model. (I’m old enough that it made me think of the slogan-covered dancers on the old comedy show “Laugh-In.")
And two Conservatory graduates put together a video promoting the graduate acting program and highlighting what some other alumni are up to.
Some organizations have a focus for their fundraising efforts. The Sarasota Opera, for example is trying to raise money to buy new timpani for the opera orchestra. The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe hopes to buy new microphones for its performers.
Many organizations are making a push for first-time donors because the Patterson Foundation will match those gifts up to $250 each, so if you’ve thought of giving, this is a good time to start because there’s a potential for a huge match.
And you can find all sorts of organizations that you might not have thought of at all, or didn’t even know existed, on the GivingPartners.org website. Each organization is given a page for information about leadership, budget size and other pertinent information to help you decide if it’s worth your investment. Some have videos (a few need to be updated) that provide some extra background. And most have been vetted by the sponsoring organization, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. If the information hasn’t been updated, that will be noted, and a good warning for any would-be donors.
You might be surprised by what you learn about even your favorite groups.
My job prevents me from giving to the arts organizations I cover (probably a good thing or I’d go broke trying to keep up with them all), but I’ve got my credit card ready for others. and I hope you’ll join me.
Contact Jay Handelman at jay.handelman@heraldtribune.com. Keep up with entertainment coverage at ticketsarasota.com. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @jayhandelman
