Vocal ensembles require solid fundraising for concert and performance tours, commissioning of new works, and other overhead expenses that quickly add up…
(1) The Arts Funding We Had 10 years Ago Is Long Gone…
Choir is one of the areas that traditionally gets hit HARD when budgets are cut. Choir directors are forced to recycle old titles from the library instead of exploring new works in the literature.
(2) Most groups have tried just about EVERY possible fundraiser…
The list of potential fundraising activities for your group is seemingly endless:
Recently we put together a comprehensive list of 90+ performing arts fundraising ideas right here.
There are SO MANY ways to raise money, but some groups are limited by volunteer help, limited space or facilities in which to host an event, or even rules against what they can/can’t do for fundraising.
Most groups that we work with are finding success by limiting the overall number of fundraisers they undertake in favor of focusing on a KEY set of larger fundraisers. Too many campaigns leads to confusion and fatigue, and your families will just “tune out”.
Choirs may not have the large number of students involved, which also makes organizing and staffing an event difficult.
A large capital campaign, on the other hand, can be a tremendous rallying point for your group, and students are likely to get excited about it. When was the last time you saw kids excited about a bake sale? ZZZZZZZzzzzzzz..
(3) Your ensemble is – by definition – a group of individuals working towards one goal…
…and isn’t that what a crowdfunding campaign should be, at its core?
When everyone contributes a little bit of effort, the results can be huge.
We’ve seen small groups of kids do amazing things, like music students that subsidize trips, purchase new trucks for their music program, new instruments, uniforms, and just about anything else you can think of.
Goals and targets that will universally affect the ENTIRE ensemble make for fantastic campaigns. The equipment truck/trailer is needed to get down the road to the next performance. The uniforms/costuming directly influences the effect of this season’s production.
FansRaise is the first-of-its-kind crowdfunding platform that was built SPECIFICALLY for the performing arts. Created by music educators, parent boosters, and non-profit administrators, we are helping performing ensembles all over the United States raise the important funds they need to create awesome educational experiences for students!
