How does a non-profit organization fill a budget in a tough economy
without spending a fortune on an event? They tell you to stay at home.
The summer is a gala-crazy season in Saratoga; fundraisers and events for charitable organizations fill local calendars and non-profit budgets. But although these events promote fun for a good cause, they are expensive to attend, and sometimes even Saratoga socialites need a night-in.
Rebuilding Together Saratoga County's non-gala gala allows philanthropists to get lazy for a good cause. There's no need to buy a gala ticket, and you can forget the expensive dress, shoes and babysitter. Rebuilding Together invites philanthropists to relax on the couch while they help make a less fortunate family's home a little better - and a stay-at-home fundraiser for an organization that improves Saratoga homes couldn't be more appropriate.
The fundraiser, which began on August 17 and will continue through September 8, will replace a donation from the Showcase of Homes.
Due to the struggling housing market, The Saratoga Builders Association had to cancel their annual tour of beautiful new homes in the area. In past years The Saratoga Builders Association gave 50 percent of the proceeds to Rebuilding Together, including last year's $37,500 donation.
Aside from monetary contributions, the Saratoga Builders Association has also supported the community effort by providing helping hands at project sites and offering repairs to Saratoga County homeowners in need.
With a big budget gap and more homes to fix than ever, Lisa Rozell, Rebuilding Together's fundraising chair, decided to rethink the organization's approach to fundraising. Rozell knew it was time to get creative, and she did.
Honorary Gala Committee members Julie Bonacio, Ed Mitzen, Kristie Roohan, Margie Rotchford and Charles Wait, helped Rozell organize the non-event. Bonacio paid for postage, Mitzen made the invitations, Wait paid for the invitations, Roohan sponsored the event and Rotchford provided an incentive: a drawing to win two tickets to next year's Saratoga Bridges Gala.
Without a venue to book or a menu to plan, all funds raised will help improve homes in Saratoga.
"We had to be creative, all non-profits are doing the same thing," Michelle Larkin, founder of Rebuilding Together Saratoga County said. "I figured it might amuse people if we creatively ask them for money."
According to Larkin, the invitations brought immediate responses.
"So far it has been received very well. People want to be supportive, they want to help and housing touches people's hearts," Larkin said.
Rebuilding Together's busiest season is the spring; this year the organization covered 40 work sites in three weeks and over 500 volunteers participated. However, Larkin is expecting the fall to be just as busy, which is why every donation counts.
This fall's upcoming work days are September 26, October 17 and October 24. Volunteers can register online at www.rebuildingsaratogatogether.org or call (518) 395-3315.
Rebuilding Together Saratoga County's non-gala gala allows philanthropists to get lazy for a good cause. There's no need to buy a gala ticket, and you can forget the expensive dress, shoes and babysitter. Rebuilding Together invites philanthropists to relax on the couch while they help make a less fortunate family's home a little better - and a stay-at-home fundraiser for an organization that improves Saratoga homes couldn't be more appropriate.
The fundraiser, which began on August 17 and will continue through September 8, will replace a donation from the Showcase of Homes.
Due to the struggling housing market, The Saratoga Builders Association had to cancel their annual tour of beautiful new homes in the area. In past years The Saratoga Builders Association gave 50 percent of the proceeds to Rebuilding Together, including last year's $37,500 donation.
Aside from monetary contributions, the Saratoga Builders Association has also supported the community effort by providing helping hands at project sites and offering repairs to Saratoga County homeowners in need.
With a big budget gap and more homes to fix than ever, Lisa Rozell, Rebuilding Together's fundraising chair, decided to rethink the organization's approach to fundraising. Rozell knew it was time to get creative, and she did.
Honorary Gala Committee members Julie Bonacio, Ed Mitzen, Kristie Roohan, Margie Rotchford and Charles Wait, helped Rozell organize the non-event. Bonacio paid for postage, Mitzen made the invitations, Wait paid for the invitations, Roohan sponsored the event and Rotchford provided an incentive: a drawing to win two tickets to next year's Saratoga Bridges Gala.
Without a venue to book or a menu to plan, all funds raised will help improve homes in Saratoga.
"We had to be creative, all non-profits are doing the same thing," Michelle Larkin, founder of Rebuilding Together Saratoga County said. "I figured it might amuse people if we creatively ask them for money."
According to Larkin, the invitations brought immediate responses.
"So far it has been received very well. People want to be supportive, they want to help and housing touches people's hearts," Larkin said.
Rebuilding Together's busiest season is the spring; this year the organization covered 40 work sites in three weeks and over 500 volunteers participated. However, Larkin is expecting the fall to be just as busy, which is why every donation counts.
This fall's upcoming work days are September 26, October 17 and October 24. Volunteers can register online at www.rebuildingsaratogatogether.org or call (518) 395-3315.
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