Share the Care Inc., a nonprofit agency providing services to more than 1,000 family caregivers throughout central Florida, experienced an 11 percent increase in total revenue from its 11th annual Caregiver Gala on August 27, despite a dramatic reduction in funding by its primary sponsor. The corporation, which the nonprofit refused to name, contributed $2,500 toward the event this year—nearly $12,500 less than in 2009—yet the organization managed to raise more than $40,700 overall. The gala was part of a three-day event at Rosen Shingle Creek that wrapped up on Saturday,
"When we realized that a large corporate donor was reducing its sponsorship, we decided to get creative," said Nikki Dixon, the organization's director of community development. "We were determined to make up the difference."
Dixon reeled in seven of the organization’s male board members and several forum speakers to auction off a dance with a guest, which brought in $1,115 and received an enthusiastic response from the crowd. Seventy-five additional ticket sales this year, 350 in total, also contributed to the increase.
Additionally, the event team sold 15 corporate tables at the gala, compared to seven last year, at the same rate of $1,250 each. The group also solicited individuals and small companies to sponsor an attendee, $75 per individual or $150 per couple, raising $4,000 compared to last year's efforts at $500.
For the first time, Share the Care initiated a summer-long advertising campaign through a partnership with Orlando CBS affiliate WKMG-TV, which Dixon credits with the additional ticket sales and sponsor interest. The campaign included TV commercials and ads on the station's Web site.
