GP TALKS: THE FUTURE OF FUNDRAISING EVENTS
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The world has changed. Events and galas, a major source of fundraising for non-profits, have been canceled leaving organizations wondering what to do and what the future of fundraising events will be going forward.
We’ve assembled a panel of leaders from notable non-profits to discuss the current situation, how they communicate with their sponsors and donors, ways they can continue fundraising efforts, and if and how they will have in-person events in the future.
THE PANEL
Aliza Ameer
Alzheimer’s Association
Director of Relationship Events
Stephanie Astic
Astic Productions
Founder, President and Chief
Development Strategist
Bryant Bradshaw
City Parks Foundation
Director of Individual Giving and Special Events
Abigail DeAtley
Planned Parenthood
Vice President of Individual Giving and Events
Tamar C. Podell
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Chief Development Officer
Brian Ricklin
Creative Art Works
Executive Director and CEO
Moderated by Linda Abbey, Great Performances, Executive Vice President
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As we celebrate Giving Tuesday this year — a year filled with unimagined hardship for so many people — we’ve highlighted some of our favorite organizations and programs to consider as you’re preparing your gift lists. For those who are difficult to shop for or who have everything, consider a donation to their favorite charity, a membership to a museum, performing arts or cultural center, or meals to those most in need.
FEEDING NEW YORKERS
We’ve always been involved in feeding New Yorkers, especially in times of crises. We answered the call after 9/11, after Superstorm Sandy, and most recently, providing meals to the most vulnerable in our city during the Covid pandemic.
WSCAH – West Side Campaign Against Hunger alleviates hunger by ensuring that all New Yorkers have access with dignity to a choice of healthy food and supportive services.
Citymeals on Wheels – Citymeals on Wheels provides a continuous lifeline of nourishing meals and vital companionship to our homebound elderly neighbors. Learn more about how they do it and see their work in action.
GrowNYC – Their mission is to improve New York City’s quality of life through environmental programs that transform communities block by block and empower all New Yorkers to secure a clean and healthy environment for future generations.
City Harvest – Mission: City Harvest exists to end hunger in communities throughout New York City. We do this through food rescue and distribution, education, and other practical, innovative solutions.
Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen – Our mission is to feed the hungry, comfort the afflicted, seek justice for the homeless, and provide a sense of hope and opportunity to those in need. As New York’s largest food program, we serve a cafeteria-style lunch, Brown Bag Lunch program, Backpack Pantry Program, Sunday Supper, and social services initiatives. We’ve also become food waste prevention advocates.
Salvation Army Greater New York Division – Since 1880, The Salvation Army of Greater New York has been shielding New Yorkers with grace, steadfast determination, and a commitment to providing love and compassion. Across New York City, Long Island, and the Lower Hudson Valley, The Salvation Army serves the most broken among us through a holistic ministry, meeting physical, spiritual, educational, and emotional needs to improve the quality of life for those who have so little.
KEEPING OUR KIDS AND YOUTHS HEALTHY AND SAFE
Among the groups least able to help themselves are kids and youths. Creating a safe learning environment for kids to learn about food and health was the foundation of The Sylvia Center, founded in 2007 by Liz Neumark. We’ve gone on to support a variety of other programs that support kids and youths.
The Sylvia Center – The mission of the organization is to inspire young people to become healthy eaters and advocates for healthy food in their families and communities.
Food and Finance High School – As NYC’s only culinary-focused public high school, Food and Finance High School provides a unique educational opportunity to students and families in the community. Students learn the true reward of hard work, dependability and time management from a staff of acclaimed chefs, educators and business leaders that oversee their curriculum, field trips, and internships.
The Door – The Door’s mission is to empower young people to reach their potential by providing comprehensive youth development services in a diverse and caring environment.
Big Vision NYC – We are a sober environment where recovering millennials can learn that life isn’t over after you are sober. We give them the chance to connect with others who are experiencing the same struggles, as well as a chance to just have fun.
Lawyers for Children – When children are in crisis, Lawyers For Children is at their side to provide protection, support and hope. In addition to free legal and social work services for children in foster care, Lawyers For Children provides targeted public policy and class action advocacy to achieve system-wide changes in the field of child welfare.
KEEPING OUR CITY VIBRANT
We love New York City. The places, the things to do, and most importantly, the people. We celebrate the organizations that help preserve the city and that help preserve the people who are the backbone of the city. Each and every person in the city is a vital part of the vibrancy and success of New York City.
Open House NY – Open House New York provides broad audiences with unparalleled access to the extraordinary architecture of New York and to the people who help design, build, and preserve the city.
Fund for Public Housing – The Fund for Public Housing creates and leverages resources and relationships to enhance the opportunities and quality of life for New York City Housing Authority residents, while uplifting the importance of public housing to our city. As a nonprofit (501c3) organization, the Fund for Public Housing amplifies and supports NYCHA’s critical mission to provide quality housing for New Yorkers that is sustainable, inclusive, and safe, and to foster opportunities for economic mobility.
GOSO NYC – GOSO partners with people impacted by arrest and incarceration on a journey of education, employment and emotional wellbeing and collaborates with NYC communities to support a culture of nonviolence.
NURTURING OUR SPIRITS
Where would we be without the arts, culture, music, history and gardens that beautify the city, enrich our souls, and provide context for our lives. It’s part of our DNA, from our roots providing artists with jobs to support their passions to our incredible partners.
The Apollo Theater – The Apollo Theater is a commissioner and presenter; catalyst for new artists, audiences, and creative workforce; and partner in the projection of the African American narrative and its role in the development of American and global culture. The Apollo Theater envisions a new American cannon centered on contributions to the performing arts by artists of the African diaspora, in America and beyond.
Asia Society New York – Asia Society is the leading educational organization dedicated to promoting mutual understanding and strengthening partnerships among peoples, leaders and institutions of Asia and the United States in a global context. Across the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, the Society provides insight, generates ideas, and promotes collaboration to address present challenges and create a shared future.
Brooklyn Academy of Music: BAM – For more than 150 years, BAM has been the home for adventurous artists, audiences, and ideas—engaging both global and local communities. With world-renowned programming in theater, dance, music, opera, film, and much more, BAM showcases the work of emerging artists and innovative modern masters.
Brooklyn Museum – To create inspiring encounters with art that expand the ways we see ourselves, the world and its possibilities.
Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts – Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts is a destination for exceptional music, captivating programs, spectacular gardens and grounds, and wonderful moments with friends and family. It enriches the lives of its audiences through innovative and diverse musical performances of the highest quality. Its mission also includes mentoring young professional musicians and providing educational programs for young children centered around music.
Jazz at Lincoln Center – The mission of Jazz at Lincoln Center is to entertain, enrich and expand a global community for jazz through performance, education, and advocacy. We believe jazz is a metaphor for Democracy. Because jazz is improvisational, it celebrates personal freedom and encourages individual expression. Because jazz is swinging, it dedicates that freedom to finding and maintaining common ground with others. Because jazz is rooted in the blues, it inspires us to face adversity with persistent optimism.
Signature Theatre – Signature Theatre celebrates playwrights and gives them an artistic home
Wave Hill – Since its founding as a public garden in 1965, Wave Hill has evolved as a unique urban oasis, world-class garden and vital resource. Its mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscapes, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.
Public Art Fund – As the leader in its field, Public Art Fund brings dynamic contemporary art to a broad audience in New York City and beyond by mounting ambitious free exhibitions of international scope and impact that offer the public powerful experiences with art and the urban environment.
We’re delighted to share the news of the youngest members of our Great Performances family! Ali Ciafre, Assistant Director of Catering at The Plaza; Aya Mohamed, Chef de Cuisine at Great Performances; and Jon Ronsani, Farmer at Katchkie Farm, recently had beautiful daughters. We’re so excited to see the GP family grow and flourish, even during these challenging times.
INTRODUCING PERRY ELIZABETH
Our colleague Ali Ciafre and her husband Nick welcomed their first child, a happy and healthy baby girl named Perry Elizabeth into the world on September 16th. Perry was born 9lbs 1oz and 21in and is so loved by all around her!
Ali is Assistant Director of Catering at The Plaza, and has been a member of the team for just about 7 years.
INTRODUCING SORAYA YASMIN
Soraya was born on September 18, 2020 at 6lbs 5oz and 19 inches. Soraya is Aya Mohamed’s first born child, joining Aya’s two wonderful daughters from my husband, Gabrielle and Gizelle. #girldad She’s a very happy baby who is very attentive to the sound of music and her sisters’ voices. She’s a great cuddle and absolute joy to be with.
It’s definitely a joyful experience minus the sleepless nights. Nothing short of a busy season at GP I’d say. She was named after one of my aunts, and it happened to have my name in it too.
Aya can’t wait to get Soraya in the kitchen so we can all be cooking and eating together. This shouldn’t come as a surprise to those who know Aya (a GP chef de cuisine) and her husband Aaron (a GP freelance event chef) who met at Great Performances—“definitely a GP love match”—making Soraya a true GP baby!
INTRODUCING SADIE ANN RONSANI
We welcome Sadie Ann with love to the Ronsani Katchkie Farm family! Born on the morning of November 1, she is the sister of two proud big brothers Sam and Charlie and Kitty Paws the cat.
We expect her to be traversing the fields and making mischief by springtime.
We’re delighted to share the news of the youngest members of our Great Performances family! Ali Ciafre, Assistant Director of Catering at The Plaza and Aya Mohamed Chef de Cuisine at Great Performances recently had beautiful daughters. We’re so excited to see the GP family grow and flourish, even during these challenging times.
INTRODUCING PERRY ELIZABETH
Our colleague Ali Ciafre and her husband Nick welcomed their first child, a happy and healthy baby girl named Perry Elizabeth into the world on September 16th. Perry was born 9lbs 1oz and 21in and is so loved by all around her!
Ali is Assistant Director of Catering at The Plaza, and has been a member of the team for just about 7 years.
INTRODUCING SORAYA YASMIN
Soraya was born on September 18, 2020 at 6lbs 5oz and 19 inches. Soraya is Aya Mohamed’s first born child, joining Aya’s two wonderful daughters from my husband, Gabrielle and Gizelle. #girldad She’s a very happy baby who is very attentive to the sound of music and her sisters’ voices. She’s a great cuddle and absolute joy to be with.
It’s definitely a joyful experience minus the sleepless nights. Nothing short of a busy season at GP I’d say. She was named after one of my aunts, and it happened to have my name in it too.
Aya can’t wait to get Soraya in the kitchen so we can all be cooking and eating together. This shouldn’t come as a surprise to those who know Aya (a GP chef de cuisine) and her husband Aaron (a GP freelance event chef) who met at Great Performances—“definitely a GP love match”—making Soraya a true GP baby!
Get to Know The Great Performances Team
We love our team of talented catering & event professionals.
Necessity is the mother of invention — or in our case, of reinvention.
Physical events have always been our dinner rolls and cultured butter at Great Performances and we’re optimistic that we’ll be able to return to those days. But with the restraints imposed by Covid and the need to ensure our clients’, guests’ and staff’s health and safety, we’ve pivoted our business in many different ways.
RDP, our events arm at Great Performances, has more than 40 years of event production experience across 26 countries and 65 cities. With a diverse portfolio including physical and virtual events, we’re delighted to launch the newest iteration, RDP Virtual Events.
Under the aegis of seasoned caterer and event production manager Ronnie Davis, our in house team of experts are ready to provide strategic, consultative and production services for virtual events.
“Virtual events are nothing new to us,” explains Ronnie. “We’ve been doing this for years. The only difference is that now RDP Virtual Events is fully focused on this as a way to continue help our clients strengthen their relationships, engage their guests, and share their vision.”
CONTACT US
To discuss your event contact us
Call: 212.727.2424
Email: RDPEvents@greatperformances.com
Or complete the form.