By Margie Doyle
Wouldn’t it indeed be nice if our highly-regarded non-profits, like those providing cultural expression and entertainment; permanent affordable housing; and exhibitions of our rich past—to name three outstanding island institutions—could make a go of it, year in and year out, from just admission receipts, membership drives and volunteers’ work?
But they can’t—even with the most frugal of budgets. And so they create elaborate, imaginative, fun and informative events, usually with the unpaid work of their boards, to produce a notable event, or gala, requiring a significant financial contribution.
It would be a dream come true if the budgets of most working-class islanders could accommodate one or two tickets over $100 to attend one of these events. On the other hand, through the continued fundraising events — including the high-ticket affairs — of these organizations, world-class opera and theater comes to islanders at the Orcas Center at the cost of $15/ticket, a fraction of what such a performance would cost in Seattle, not counting the time and travel involved; and permanent, affordable housing is within reach of hundreds of low-income islanders, who yes, are not financially able to attend OPAL’s annual dinner. Even the Historical Society’s upcoming Salish Feast, with support from the Outlook Inn, comes with a hefty ticket price; which enables lowered admission costs to the Museum’s outstanding exhibits, many in collaboration with institutions of higher learning such as the Smithsonian Institution and the University of Washington, is a cost that most islanders can work into their budget a couple of times a year.
And then consider the partnerships and outreach these, and most island organizations, provide at little or no cost: instruction, consultations, camps, lobbying, subsidies, events, leadership and recognition of volunteers.
Those who not only value these and other benefits, but who can also contribute to the organizations’ continued operations, are real lifelines to continue the work. The galas and dinners are fun events, yes, but they’re also critically important business affairs.
And the whole community, including employees, benefits. The bottom line is that without the contributions of “those who have money,” the rest of us cannot benefit.
And if you really want to go to the party, perhaps there is a volunteer slot you can fill.
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Well said. As president of Orcas Family Health Center ( a non profit) we struggle to provide health care for the many who can not afford it or have no insurance. The two fund raising events we do each year come far short of the expense needed to care for our community, but we perservere. My heartfelt thanks to each contributor and if you would like to help, contact OFHC or send your contribution to P O Box 1055 Eastsound WA 98245. Your help in the past has allowed us to assist over 2200 islanders without insurance or ability to pay for medical care.
Thank you for the lifeline.
Ken Speck
Margie..you have a gift for words…yes all the not for profits have to fund raise to survive…we rely on the generosity of our orcas island friends to support those endeavors that they feel are most important to sustain their quality of life in thi s small community.
Thank you Margie for this wonderful piece and we should all give a big thank you to everybody
that supports the many entities on Orcas Island.
Maybe not everybody can sit at the diner table but those who do ” benefit all of us “
Margie,
I’m a bit slow in responding to this because I wanted to think through how I felt. I do see a downside to the trend of ever increasing donation amounts for functions, and that is that they are exclusionary in nature. Yes, the income derived for a non profit is wonderful, but the number of people who can contribute dwindles as the costs increase. It leaves those of us who can’t justify $150 per person sitting by the sidelines.
Of course we can volunteer our time to work an event, but isn’t that perpetuating a servant class mentality? Those with the money party, while those without wait on their tables?
I don’t know the economics of these events so I don’t know if charities make more money by having fewer attendees who pay more money. But what if a charity held an event that was economically inclusive, that was actually affordable by the majority islanders. You could boost income by targeting more affluent donors to sponsor a table, or providing major sponsorship of a menu item if it is a dinner event.
Of course such an event would intermingle the various economic circles of the island, but would that be such a bad idea?
Margie, thanks so much for writing this! Superb observations! The key to fundraising here is to offer a variety of events, geared to all economic levels, so that everyone can participate. The point of a gala-type event is to provide a party and giving opportunity for those who can give with money, and those who can volunteer — the point of a gala is not to make people feel inadequate. “Giving” depends upon what one feels is worthy of their energy, whether that energy be in the form of money or time. Just because someone “has money” does not mean they don’t respect the volunteers, who are giving in a different capacity. We determine what we can give based on our own circumstances, but the spirit of giving is the same, and consequently, each person’s gift has value.
Thank you Margie and others who have expressed such positive comments about Galas as fundraisers and the importance of support for Island non-profits. Orcas Center is holding one of those “high ticket affairs” on July 20. Volunteers have worked very hard to put together a great evening that, hopefully, will raise a good amount of money so that the Center can continue to offer quality entertainment to all Islanders at affordable ticket prices. We encourage all those who care and can afford to attend, to do so.