Wednesday's editorial praises the creative fundraising employed by one area nonprofit.
When Sandi Kendrick took a new job two years ago as executive director of the Horry County Arts and Cultural Council, she had little idea of the critical changes she and the council were about to face. The executive director and her board were in much the same position as their counterparts in nonprofits across the area, state and nation as the recession set in: Funding from usually dependable sources dried up.
These sources included federal, state and local levels of government, private foundations and individual contributors. Executive directors of several nonprofits have shared stories of folks who have been financial supporters of North Strand Helping Hand or Churches Assisting People in Conway and now have turned to the agencies for assistance while the first unemployment check arrived.
For many nonprofits, the financial squeeze started just as demand for their services increased. The arts council lost $1,175 of its usual $4,700 in funding from the S.C. Arts Commission, a 25 percent reduction done around the state. The $1,175 "is a lot for us or anybody," Kendrick says. The council also applied for a recovery grant but was shut out of that money. The council's annual budget is around $70,000.
On the positive side, the council is continuing to receive a $12,000 grant for administrative costs from the Dorothy and Gaylord Donnelley Foundation of Chicago, a consistent supporter of Lowcountry arts, Kendrick said. She is also excited about a $5,000 grant from the city of Myrtle Beach for the council's education program and a new $3,000 grant from Wachovia Foundation.
The arts council's mission is "to improve the quality of life in our communities." Granted, food and shelter are higher priorities, but the arts are important. Besides its education programs in schools, which touch about 2,500 children, the council made grants last fiscal year to the Carolina Master Chorale and to five individual artists for a variety of projects.
Kendrick's fundraising experience in 27 years with the arts council of Stanly County, N.C., led to a successful July 24 and 25 with the inaugural Fabulous '50s Festival. Events included a sock hop at Studebaker's on July 24. More than 250 hoppers danced the evening away to '50s music. Studebaker's donated the venue for the event.
Festival events also included a junior sock hop for 150 youngsters from the city of Myrtle Beach's Pepper Geddings Camp Friendship Program, a golf tournament at Wachesaw Plantation East, a Classic Car Cruise-In and an Elvis contest at Legends in Concert. Other festival partners included the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, the Myrtle Beach Car Club and Chick-fil-A Murrells Inlet. The festival netted about $10,000 for the Arts Council, and Kendrick estimates roughly $60,000 was donated via in-kind services and products. Planning is under way for the second annual festival.
The Fabulous '50s Festival shows that individuals are willing to give to help a good cause, especially if their financial contribution brings a benefit such as an entertaining evening. "I was amazed that we were able to get such strong participation for our events the first year," Kendrick says.
In addition to new fundraising, the arts council is looking to memberships. Folks who bought tickets to the sock hop received a one-year membership to the arts council.
Like nearly all nonprofit managers, Kendrick is always looking for volunteers. She says a person's time is the only asset sought - no artistic talent is required.
In innovative fundraising and offering memberships, other area nonprofits may be able to take a cue from the arts council in the quest for seriously needed money and talent.
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