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Some Things Happen Only Once in 100 Years
The Al. Ringling Theatre — A Fund Raising Success Story
The Al. Ringling Theatre is considered the “prettiest playhouse in the America.” Located in Baraboo, it has long served that community and the entire region. But it was in need of extensive renovation to realize its full potential. Several years ago, the Board and staff began planning to restore the theatre to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2016. Their work serves as a model for success.
They first hired Peter Rott of Isthmus Architecture for a Historic Structures Report to quantify the specifics of the restoration and the cost of $3,000,000. They then hired Jodi Sweeney of The Sweeney Group in Madison to lead them in the fund raising effort.
Fund raising began with a feasibility study to determine that $3,000,000 could be raised and the strategies needed. The initial step was a launch campaign to find 20 donors who would each donate $5,000 to repair the roof. This tested the strategies and materials that would be used throughout the campaign. Reaching this goal was easily accomplished and gave volunteers confidence in the message and the process.
The campaign followed a strategy of maximizing the 4 key elements that are important to every campaign:
Case – the Al. had to show its vision for the future in addition to celebrating the past.
Volunteers – were developed on many levels beginning with an Honorary Committee of people who endorsed the campaign but who did not actively participate. This is an excellent way to involve important members of any community.
Donors – the lead donor was the Jeffris Family Foundation, which made a 2:1 challenge grant of approximately $500,000. Naming rights were used to encourage larger gifts and both state and federal tax credits contributed to the total raised. One unique element was very successful – 100 Extraordinary Women; this segment secured 3 year pledges of $1,000 each from 100 women who now have their names permanently listed in the Women’s Retiring Room, raised $100,000 in a short time, and generated enthusiasm. The Sweeney Group can provide the plans and templates to any group, whether or not they are involved in a capital campaign.
Action Plan – the action plan kept volunteers engaged and organized and kept the campaign on track.
The theatre had its Grand Re-opening Gala on February 20th. More than 700 people attended to hear Frank Sinatra, Jr. celebrate his father’s 100 year legacy with songs and video.
Attendees at the Wisconsin Historical Society’s 2016 annual conference to be held in Lake Delton on October 21 – 22 will be able to sign up for a private tour of the Al. Ringling Theatre.
For more information on the Theatre and to become a Friend to learn about upcoming events, visit alringing.com.
For information on The Sweeney Group contact us!
The Sweeney Group Client, Fine Arts Foundation of the Westby Area, Announces School Board Passes Resolution to Hold April 5 Referendum | Learn more . . .
How The Sweeney Group Helped
- The Westby Performing Arts Center, in Westby,WI, tried to raise the initial funds needed for a performing arts center as part of their high school for more than 10 years.
- The school board said that if the Fine Arts Foundation of the Westby Area could raise $750,000 they would hold a referendum to procure the remaining funds needed.
- The Fine Arts Foundation of the Westby Area hired the Sweeney Group and raised $770,000 in approximately 6 months, which led to the approval of the referendum. This effort included a 100 Extraordinary Women component where more than 120 women each pledge $1000 to name the Star dressing room.
- The referendum is scheduled for April.
Congratulations to Fine Arts Foundation of the Westby Area!
The Sweeney Group is Pleased to Announce the Addition of Genell Scheurell and Nancy Finegood to its Professional Staff as Consulting Associates
Genell and Nancy bring extensive experience in resource development, fundraising feasibility studies, capital campaign management, rehabilitation tax credits, organizational development and strategic planning.
Nancy Finegood
Nancy Finegood has over 20 years experience in non-profit administration, board development and fundraising. Nancy was named executive director of the Michigan Historic Preservation Network in 2002. Nancy is a Board Member of Preservation Action and the MotorCities Auto Heritage. She is a member of the Oakland County and Michigan Main Street Advisory Boards. A Michigan native, Finegood was most recently the executive director of the St. Croix Landmarks Society in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She graduated from Wayne State University with a BA in secondary education, where she also earned an MBA with an accounting concentration.
Genell Scheurell
Genell Scheurell has spent over 13 years at the National Trust for Historic Preservation focusing on historic preservation education and advocacy, non-profit organizational development and fundraising. She has developed fundraising training, including “The Buck Starts Here.” Genell helped form the non-profits Citizens for Glen Ellyn Preservation (IL), and Chicago Suburban Alliance. Genell is a Wisconsin native with a BA from Mount Mary College (Milwaukee), a MS in Consumer Affairs (UW–Madison), and a MA in Historic Preservation (School of the Art Institute of Chicago). Previously she spent 20 years at Ford Motor Company in sales and marketing.
“Genell and Nancy are fantastic additions to our fundraising consulting team.”