Non-Firearm Related, brainstorming session

[bczandm]

Used kids clothing sale! Your target audience has the clothing and likely the need given the way you describe the school, both the sellers and buyers go away getting something real for the money that is spent and you get a percentage of the take. Our school has been doing this for years and when my wife helped run the thing 10 years ago they made over $60,000 in two days. At this point the school is know for the sale and people wait for it as they fill the gym with clothing and the selection is second to none in the area. It will take years to get to this point but I'd bet you could do very well even the 1st time around. PM me if you want to learn more.
Bob

[gnihcraes]

Middle school up here, has a chili cook off contest. Obviously a lot more students and families, but it works.

Anyone can enter with their recipe, and everyone else buys a $5 bowl and spoon. You get 5 tickets to drop in the voting bag at each chili you sample - if you think it's a winner. Drop one ticket or all five, just vote for whatever you like.

About 50 chili entries from Red, Green, Vegetarian. Basic ingredients must be listed - for those with allergies. (also note if it's HOT or mild etc)

Tally up the voting tickets at the end of a set time frame. 2 hours or whatever.

They also have a silent auction, various donations of things like movie tickets, tours, products (avon, mary kay) stuff like that.

Usually nets $15,000 or so.

[izzy]

Sorry mine is difficult, we've donated to it but never used it from the other side.

[BigBear]

Very cool. Obviously I have a lot of reading/research to do coming up.

TimK, I appreciate the advice! Will give it some planning.

[GilpinGuy]

Here are the basics of the casinos night:

There was a $50 entry fee that got you $100 in casino chips, food, and non-alcoholic drinks. Alcoholic drinks were available at additional cost. Additional chips could be purchased, $50 per $100 in casino chips. They hired a company to run several blackjack and poker tables, two craps tables, and a roulette table. The top three chip holders at the end of the night won cash. I think it was $500, $250, and $50, might have been more. I am guessing there were 150-175 people there.

For the auction they simple got people to donate items to be auctioned off. The big item was a football singed by the entire Denver Broncos team from last year, it went for $5000.

I used to work for one of the "casino night" companies. Pretty darn fun for folks that don't normally go to casinos. And they generated some good cash.

Having an auction the same night is a good idea. I'd volunteer to deal poker or blackjack, but you would need several dealers, so getting one of the companies would be a better way to go unless there are a.bunch of guys on here that get by dealing.

I worked for Crystal Rose years ago. They were a pretty good outfit back then. We did lots of corporate events, New Years parties, etc.

[TheGrey]

Banks are usually open to sponsorship if they are given some sort of recognition in the community. Involving some prosperous businesses that actually have something to do with the music industry may also rase interest and capital.

Disney is a very lofty goal. I know that it gave your childhood a very special glow; have you given any thought to seeing if there are studios closer (even within the state) that may offer the same sort of program to your students? It may be something that is more attainable, and if it is within the state there may be merchants and musicians that would be eager to sponsor and donate in exchange for recognition.

[CS1983]

Contact Kolacny Music in Englewood/Denver. Dave probably won't be able to give you money, but he knows about every professional and aspiring-pro musician in a 300 mile radius and he might have some ideas of some folks to contact.

[RblDiver]

Something that my company does (doesn't raise a lot, but a bit) is a Cinco de Mayo salsa contest, where you vote for your favorite with money. So, food contest with money voting could be something.

[BigBear]

I used to work for one of the "casino night" companies......

How do I find a casino "company"? Do I literally just call a casino and say "Hey, ya'll wanna come run some games at my school?" HA!

Banks are usually open to sponsorship if they are given some sort of recognition in the community. Involving some prosperous businesses that actually have something to do with the music industry may also rase interest and capital.

Disney is a very lofty goal. I know that it gave your childhood a very special glow; have you given any thought to seeing if there are studios closer (even within the state) that may offer the same sort of program to your students? It may be something that is more attainable, and if it is within the state there may be merchants and musicians that would be eager to sponsor and donate in exchange for recognition.

Yes Ma'am. And in that statement lies the inherent problem. No large bank in the area, one small credit union. No corporate/prosperous large business in the area unless you count the gas station and dollar store! You might be right in that I'm setting my sights waaaay too high. There are no other studios in the nation that offers the degree of curriculum that Disney does. However, the military does come down about one every other year to play with us and hold sort master classes that kind of do the same thing. I may just have to stay with that concept.

Contact Kolacny Music in Englewood/Denver. Dave probably won't be able to give you money, but he knows about every professional and aspiring-pro musician in a 300 mile radius and he might have some ideas of some folks to contact.

Interesting, I never heard of 'em... but will use the mighty google.

Something that my company does (doesn't raise a lot, but a bit) is a Cinco de Mayo salsa contest, where you vote for your favorite with money. So, food contest with money voting could be something.

Yeah, it seems like food based fundraisers are very popular. HA!

[newracer]

http://www.acescasinoequipment.com/

http://www.funproductions.com/portfolio/casino-nights

http://funservicescolorado.com/CASINOWEB/casino.html

http://www.usacasinoparty.com/