How Businesses Can Help Non-profit Organizations

Recently, the Children's Bureau in Los Angeles held a fundraiser that brought in over $ 115,000 on a Tuesday evening with a gourmet food and wine tasting event. All of the money generated went to Children's Bureau, a non-profit that has four "interlocking goals": nurturing parenting, school readiness, good health, and economic stability.

Here is how local business people worked in support of the event:
The Children's Bureau board was given the task to raise more private funding to generate revenue in support of the diverse programs.

A group formed and chose a wine and food tasting event on a weeknight instead of a weekend. Committee chair Julia Stewart, CEO of Dine Equity, said the consensus was "a weeknight had a less formal feeling than a weekend evening banquet. Plus, people said it would be easier for them to make it on a weeknight."
There were 300 tickets sold for $250 each and in addition items were donated for a silent auction.

The location at LA Live near the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles was chosen as a convenient place for guests coming from the Westside or places to the north like Pasadena. The Staples Center Foundation, whose parent company is AEG Worldwide, made the location possible.
Bon Appetit Management Company helped bring in eight executives chefs on hand for the evening. Two chefs flew in from Maine who had worked to prepare 150 lobsters for the event.
There were 11 wineries that participated by providing dinner wines and dessert wines.The For-profit, Nonprofit Relationship

Businesses need to have a desire to help the community where they work and earn profits

They can match their interests with one or two local nonprofit organizations

Business owners or managers can enlist the help of employees and vendors to host a function such as the wine and gourmet food tasting that was successful for Children's Bureau

Guidelines for a Successful Fundraiser Event

Children's Bureau has the advantage of being in downtown Los Angeles and has a relationship with a company like AEG Worldwide; but what can nonprofit organizations in small towns do?

Select a venue that's easy for local residents to attend
Facilitate an event featuring local craftspeople, local restaurants, or other talented individuals and small business owners who may wish to participate in a good cause - and get visibility.
Set realistic expectations and goals: generating money is the purpose of a fundraiser; however, long-term relationships need building just like a business needs to build long-term relationships with paying customers. An event can be a step to generating good will even if the expected dollar amount isn't raised that evening.
While businesses can help nonprofit organizations in many distinct ways, the businessperson should respect the hard work that a nonprofit staff member experiences and not micro-manage the organization.

When both entities believe in the vision and respect the work, a tremendous partnership can result which improves the quality of life for many.