Why a fundraising committee?
Ensemble conductors and theater directors have a full-time job teaching students and leading a program. When funds are needed to develop a program and create opportunity for the artists, a fundraising committee is very helpful in harnessing the resources and support of interested community members. Take advantage of skills beyond your own.
Who should serve on this committee?
To fully engage your community, your committee should consist of at least one representative from each of these four categories: student or ensemble participant, parent (of student or ensemble participant), school or organization official, and a local community partner. An existing booster group may function as the fundraising committee, if it meets these membership requirements. The following guidelines can be useful in identifying potential committee members:
Student or Ensemble Participant
-currently serving in leadership position, or otherwise actively involved
-capable of representing student/performer interests and volunteer capabilities
Parent
-currently has, or has had, a student in the program or organization
-willing to and capable of engaging other parents in fundraising efforts
School or Organization Official
-understands value of the fine arts and your program
-capable of representing and engaging other staff, faculty, and administrators
Community Partner
-business person, public official, or individual patron
-provides connections to other community members (vendors, businesses, local government, individual patrons)
Expectation of All Members
-willing to dedicate time and energy to the varied tasks of fundraising
-willing to act as a community promoter on behalf of your program
Committee Structure
We recommend that the ensemble director(s) not serve as a full-time member, but rather, as an advisor. This frees him or her to attend to the many and varied tasks of teaching and program administration. The director may need to be more involved in assisting the formation of the fundraising committee before recessing into an advisory role.
Committee Chairperson
The committee will appoint one of its members to serve as chairperson. The primary responsibilities of the chairperson will include:
-guiding and directing committee efforts
-serving as the primary contact and spokesperson
-scheduling and running regular meetings, live or zoom
-maintaining regular contact with relevant program or ensemble directors
-delegation of duties to appropriate members
Committee Communication Plan
Regular communication is vital to the operation of the fundraising committee. An effective communication plan will outline times and modes of meeting, an individual member contact list, and a group email chain.