Events

Every year tens of millions of Americans ask friends to sponsor them in events ranging from 3-mile "fun runs" to 100-mile bike treks. The largest such event — the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life — raised more than $400 million last year. Meanwhile, the ever-growing movement includes tens of thousands of tiny "thons," collecting for schools, hospitals and homeless shelters. As soon as the weather warms, the walkathoners take to the streets, proudly parading in their oversize T-shirts and ribbon pins.

Campbell & Company is excited to announce five different events to discuss the implications of the Giving USA 2011 report for nonprofits in all fields. A national webinar, titled “First Look: Giving USA 2011,” will be held on June 21, 2011 at noon CDT, followed by events in Chicago (June 22), Cleveland (June 24), Boston (June 29), and Washington D.C. (June 21). Each event features an interactive panel of distinguished nonprofit leaders. 

We've all heard the studies that claim a glass of wine with dinner is good for your health. As it turns out, injecting a little bit of wine into your organization's special events can be quite good for your fundraising health as well.

It's difficult to resist petting these hard workers. But Freedom Service Dogs have a job to do. And the Englewood, Colo.-based organization that trains the canines and pairs them with people with disabilities who can benefit from these working dogs' help ensure that they're able to do that job.

Here are some ideas about how to increase the impact of your fundraising event — before, during and after your event — to educate people about your mission.

Denizens from the world of fashion and New York socialites netted $106,000 for Madison Square Boys & Girls Club at the sixth annual Purses & Pursenalities luncheon held Thursday, May 12, at Cipriani 42nd Street in Manhattan.

For the past four years, OneSight, a charity created by eyeglass frames and sunglasses company Luxottica that provides vision care and eyeglasses to needy people overseas, has received money from an annual rock-and-roll concert featuring amateur musicians from the optical industry. Last month, the fourth annual EyeRock concert raised $185,000, up from $95,000 in its first year.

EyeRock is just one of several efforts in which weekend rockers jam for charity. Others include an annual Hedge Fund Rocktoberfest and Pharmapalooza, a benefit by employees of pharmaceutical companies who raise money for Children’s Hospital of Montefiore.

Who knew conquering the dance floor could rake in so much money? College students from all over the country broke fund-raising records with dance marathons this year. Students generated almost $500,000 at Florida State University, $1-million at Northwestern University, and nearly $10-million at Penn State University.

Organizers cannot say what exactly made their marathons so appealing this year, but they agree that people wanted to support the children’s health charities and other causes that benefited from the events.

Charity poker itself is perfectly legal, but Illinois law prohibits consultants from running charitable games and providing dealers — duties expressly limited to the charity. Money is to be handled only at the bank, not at the tables. Dealers may not be paid or tipped, and side bets are forbidden.

The law aims to draw a firm line between charities and hired gambling consultants, who are limited to providing advice on setting up the games and equipment..

About 40 people turned out for a Monopoly tournament to benefit Community Stepping Stones, a nonprofit group that offers art education and other programs in Sulphur Springs.

Although most of the 36 tables at the Tampa Letter Carriers Hall on Cypress Street remained empty, many already had been paid for by benefactors aiming to help Community Stepping Stones raise $10,000.