Family-Focused, Mission-Driven Fundraising Events

Farah Salem, KidZeum Executive Director
Adam Braniger, Minnesota Children’s Museum

This presentation was supposed to focus on fundraisers other than the annual gala but the three scheduled presenters pulled out for some reason and the two people who filled in apparently had very little time to prepare. Farah’s 15,000 sq. ft. museum will open soon in Springfield, IL, providing play opportunities for children of all abilities. So far they have only put on gala-style fundraisers that don’t involve children but there were some good ideas to take away.

They have held two Murder Mystery events, the first in 2010 and the second just this year. They have been inspired by the “Clue” game and she has gotten local sponsorship for portions of the event including the weapons such as a local construction company to sponsor the hammer. But you don’t know which is the actual weapon at the start of the event so various things can be sponsored.

A Matter of Taste was another event sponsored by a local grocery chain. They had one caterer but 150 vendors for beer, wine and spirits pairings. All the beverages were donated because those vendors want access to the grocery chain—nicely done.

Adam’s presentation was closer to the Family Focused events of the title. In 2010 they switched from a gala to a Grand Family Ball with a Wizard of Oz theme. It coincided with a WOZ exhibit they had at the time. http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.456152314992.225342.20172614992
I totally would have gone to that. Adam had more slides of the decorating than is shown on facebook and it was beautiful. One dining room had a Kansas theme, another Glinda’s castle, and another the Wizard’s throne room. It seemed a lot like a Cultural Arts Nights but with dinner and later in the evening music and dancing after children might be taken home. They offered “Swag” Bags for sale each with set items in them but some with premiums and you wouldn’t know until you opened it if you received one of those.

There was a little time at the end for others to share their experiences. In Louisiana someone has an event near Halloween called Night at the Booseum. It wasn’t a sleepover (darn!) but sounded like lots of fun. Another shared that her local school district (missed where this was) and the local trolley system partner for the Polar Express for 15-20 nights in December and raised $200,000. Tickets sold out quickly, the children are encouraged to wear PJs, the book is read and hot chocolate is served onboard. We need a Cucamonga Trolley