Monday, September 29, 2008
Kingsized Rocked Our Fundraiser
Posted by: lain // Category: Atlanta, Burritos and Other Fine Foods, Fundraising, Gussying up, Inappropriate Beer Drinking, Kingsized, Marketing Tricks, Shameless Promotion // 6:12 pm
Big Mike Geier and the rest of Kingsized played a heck of a show at the Wren’s Nest on Saturday.
I’m still recovering. But I did manage to post a few pictures of the party. Check ‘em out here.
Did you take any pictures? Seriously, I’d love to see ‘em since I was so busy running around all night. Just upload your pictures to the Wren’s Nest Facebook Page.
Big thanks to our volunteers (Laura, Nicole, Greg and Christina, Lauren and Catherine, my mom, my sister), our staff, and the folks who had a great time, which was everyone. Thank you, everyone.
Comments: 1Kingsized at the Wren’s Nest — We’re Getting Nervous
Posted by: lain // Category: Atlanta, Big Money No Whammies, Burritos and Other Fine Foods, Challenges!, Failed Attempts at Looking Reputable, Fundraising, Inappropriate Beer Drinking, Kingsized // 2:04 pm
By now you might have noticed that Kingsized is playing our fundraiser here on September 27th.
That’s less than 10 days away. I’m a little worried.
Don’t get me wrong — the show will be phenomenal, the tacos will be delicious, and the margaritas will have tequila. I’m mostly worried that folks might miss out on a great time.
We’ve got a lot to compete with — class reunions, out-of-town plans, laziness, stock market induced excuses, hatred of fun and margaritas — you name it.
And in typical Wren’s Nest fashion, we were late spreading the word. The price we pay? Restrained panic.
We’re looking to you, dear Wren’s Nest blog readers, to help us out. And boy howdy, have I got some incentive–
Inspire nine folks to come to the concert with you, and drinks for your entire table are on me.
You heard me.
Honestly, I don’t think anyone will take me up on this offer. I’m sure you’re either too busy or it’s too expensive or you don’t have time to rally your crew. I will be shocked if you can pull this together.
So prove me wrong.
Free drinks for you and your buddies all night, but only if you (1) are at least 21; (2) mention this blog post; (3) assemble your crew of 9 or more; (4) pay for your tickets in full; and (5) tell me about it before 4 pm on September 22nd (lain@wrensnestonline.com).
Please, test my generosity.
Comments: 8Sage Fundraising Advice: Seven Ways To Improve Your Snail Mail
Posted by: lain // Category: Failed Attempts at Looking Reputable, Fundraising, Good Questions, Marketing Tricks, Nonprofit Management, Storytelling // 11:54 am
Lately folks have been clamoring for my wisdom about raising money from individuals.
Who has better advice than someone with no formal training? Who has only been in the field for two years? Who frequently spills coffee everywhere?
No one, that’s who.
So, I’m here to offer my coveted, sage advice. Onward!
Let’s pretend we’re writing a letter to Tom.
Tom is very busy.
So busy that he doesn’t have time to read your letter. We’re here to trick him into thinking he does.
Before you get started, have your good remarkably spectacular story ready.
And remember that the goal is to build a relationship, and the product of this relationship may be a contribution. And don’t be nervous–a contribution is an exchange between you and Tom. It’s not just Tom giving you money.
Got that?
Once you’ve written your story in 2 - 3 pages, you’re going to need seven elements–
1. Bold words and phrases.
Your eyes love bold words and phrases. Tom’s do too. Assume that Tom will skim your letter. Put the important stuff in bold, but don’t abuse it.
2. Handwriting
Handwriting is even better than bold words. Tom will read it before anything else. I use blue pen because it’s distinct from the black ink.
3. P.S.
Since the beginning of time, psychologists and fundraisers have known that Tom will read the P.S. first. Weird, I know.
4. Personalization
Now that you’ve got Tom’s attention, you might as well talk about something that matters to Tom–himself.
It’s not that Tom is selfish, he just needs to be invested in your story. You know that Tom is already invested in himself, so make sure you include him in your letter.
5. Pronouns
Repeat the words “you” or “I” to lull Tom into believing you’re having a conversation. He loves that.
6. Firm, specific, but non-threatening asks
Tell Tom what you want (more than once and in bold) and shut up already. Do you want $1,000? Say so! Tom may not give you what you want, but at least he knows where to start.
7. A pre-stamped envelope
Seal the deal with a pre-stamped envelope.
When Tom sees that you’ve spent an extra 42 cents on him, he’ll be loath to throw out the envelope. Either he’ll save it for a rainy day or you’ve just guilted him into a contribution. Booya.
Or he’ll think you’re spending your money irresponsibly. Note: my personal contribution to the Wren’s Nest is buying stamps to put on pre-stamped envelopes.
Your story will do the rest. Just make sure it’s a good one.
Is all this incredibly time-consuming? It sure is. Do I really know what I’m talking about? Only sort of. Is there a better way to do it? Probably so.
If you’ve got better suggestions, enlighten me. No, really! I need all the help I can get.
Comments: 10The Wren’s Nest’s Fall Concert: Kingsized
Posted by: Amelia // Category: Events, Fundraising, Kingsized, Ladies Night, Shameless Promotion // 7:43 am
What are you doing on Saturday, September 27th?
Having Taqueria del Sol for dinner? Enjoying a rolicking good time with your friends? Contributing to a good cause? Jamming like you’ve never jammed before?
How about doing all of the above in ONE PLACE?! No, it doesn’t involve witchcraft.
It’s the Wren’s Nest’s annual fundraising concert!
We’re pleased as punch that the legendary Kingsized will be blowing the roof off our open-air amphitheater, and that sweet, sweet Taqueria del Sol will be providing the sustenance. Will I ever tire of their tacos? All signs points to: nope, not ever.
You can buy your tickets ($60 per person; dinner and swell times included) here at the Wren’s Nest or via credit card over the phone (404-753-7735). We’re working to set up ticket purchasing online, too. You’ll be the first to know when that happens, promise.
September 27th is rapidly approaching (see: what?!), so buy your tickets now! Or, if you must, tomorrow.
Comments: 1Wordsmiths Books Asks For Money, Hosts Fundraiser This Weekend
Posted by: lain // Category: Big Money No Whammies, Bravery, Failed Attempts at Looking Reputable, Fundraising, Marketing Tricks // 2:39 pm
Our friends at Wordsmiths Books are asking for money–and not in exchange for goods or services. And no, they’re not a nonprofit.
This is, like, blowing people’s minds.
Since Wordsmiths started asking for contributions a few weeks back, they’ve been featured in everything from local blogs like BabyGotBooks and Decatur Metro, to national media outlets like NPR.
It’s been a marketing coup.
Here’s the quickest run-down of the details I can give–
- Wordsmiths opened last year, chose lackluster location.
- They moved to the location they originally wanted, saw increases in sales and visibility.
- Despite success, they’re suffocating under weight of debt from previous location.
- Owner Zach asks for a hand, makes promises of eventual returns.
You may call this last move tacky. And maybe it is. But it also happens to be brilliant.
Wordsmiths could have fizzled out this month and closed its doors with a whimper like so many small, noble businesses. Which would’ve been a shame. Who else was going to help us host an event about burning down house museums?
By asking for money, Wordsmiths has prompted many folks not just to take notice, but to form opinions about their bookstore. Asking didn’t cost them anything, and it has resulted in collecting 60% of their end goal.
Sure, they’ve garnered a lot of criticism along the way. But really, if you’re Wordsmiths, who cares?
They would close otherwise, and avoiding that fate is certainly their bottom line. Plus, they’ve created allies who are willing to support their business without receiving anything in return. Local bookstores: the new nonprofits? Not quite, but these past few weeks have demonstrated just how much they mean to their communities.
The moral: check out Wordsmiths in Decatur this weekend. They’re hosting a fundraiser. Jack Pendarvis will be there. Paste Magazine will be there. And now’s your chance to see what all the fuss is about before it’s too late.
Comments: 0Wren’s Nest Fest Photo Extravaganza ‘08
Posted by: Amelia // Category: Events, Fundraising, Storytelling, Victorious! // 11:35 am
Below you’ll find a mere smattering of photos from yesterday’s Fest.
This also happens to be the visual explanation as to why every member of the Wren’s Nest staff was asleep by 8:42pm on a Friday night. Watch out!
Happy campers, literally.
Looking forward is for suckers.
Who doesn’t love coloring various Brer Animals? The fun police, that’s who.
If I were to guesstimate, I would say that approximately 18,000 children had their faces painted throughout the course of the day.
Surreal things: hearing small children robustly sing about shorty getting low low low low low low low low.
Our local friendly firemen and a rookie.
Storyteller Curtis taking flight.
Lain’s best friends. They bonded over tales of what they ate for breakfast and who has sisters (gross).
My best friend. We chatted pretty intently about the feet on his backpack/leash and my boo-boo.
Board member Handy serving as executive chef.
Bunnies! Ready for petting, but dear lord not for picking up. Their handler was not afraid to tell us all just how fragile bunnies are and how many die per celebrity appearance. And yes, now is a good time to cry in case you were wondering.
Volunteer Matt happily showing off his arm painting skills. Not just for faces anymore, folks.
A very adorable person showing off her worm-in-apple balloon animal. Pretty neat, huh.
And that’s the ballgame! We’ve got plenty more, and many are already posted on our Facebook page (be our fan!), but if you’re really being big babies about it, perhaps we’ll post more here.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to functioning like a zombie.
Comments: 5Bad News: Mark Twain House Might Shut Down
Posted by: Amelia // Category: Big Money No Whammies, Celebrity Requests, Fundraising, Historic Preservation, Mark Twain, Very Serious Posts With No Funny Business // 9:56 am
And I thought our $46,000 was bad.
This morning the New York Times published an article about the tough financial times faced by the Mark Twain House in Hartford, CT, which is currently juggling somewhere in the range of five million dollars of debt. Uf.
(The Mark Twain House in all its Connecticut glory.)
Now, while the article does have some laugh-out-loud moments (don’t let Steve Wynn near your Picasso, har har!), it paints a pretty dire picture for the home where Mark Twain wrote some of his most famous works.
In short, the museum ambitiously built a totally awesome visitor’s center (I know. I’ve seen it!), the cost of which got out of hand, and quick. Combine that with increased energy and travel costs (fieldtrips are our bread and butter, too) and you’ve got an incredible landmark facing the possibility of closing its doors.
This. Is. TERRIBLE.
Now, dear reader, I am trying to do everything I can to play it cool here, but this legitimately makes me panicky. As a gal raised by Twain-quoting obsessives (my dad may or may not have taken the year before my birth to read Mark Twain exclusively) with a minor stake in the fate of writer’s homes these days, this is big time awful.
I mean, this is MARK TWAIN. His is not a forgotten name. Samuel Clemens, maybe, but that’s why he took a pen name, okay smartypants?
If his museum is in danger, what does that mean for the rest of us? And I don’t just mean in the world of house museums, either. Twain’s home is every bit as eccentric and clever as the writings of the man himself. It’s like one giant testament to his overwhelming awesomeness. And it might close?!
How about this: I’ll go breathe into a paper bag while you go here and donate money.
Thanks.
Also, it seems important to mention that Twain’s home may be the only thing Connecticut has to offer the rest of the country. I may or may not be serious.
Comments: 9Margaret Mitchell House Land Sale Approved
Posted by: lain // Category: Atlanta, Fundraising, Historic Preservation, Nonprofit Management // 1:17 pm
So, speaking of the Atlanta History Center, they’ve approved the sale of a parcel adjacent to the Margaret Mitchell House for $7 million.
Oh, and it might be important to know that the Atlanta History Center owns the Margaret Mitchell House.
The piece of land in question is mostly a parking lot plus a small building that I think has a little office space and the Gone With the Wind movie memorabilia portion of the museum.
The Margaret Mitchell House sits on one of the most valuable pieces of property in Atlanta at the intersection of 10th and Peachtree. Right now that corner is totally underutilized given the development around it, the proximity to the Marta station, and the more or less uniform street grid.
It’s caused quite a stir. The article quotes Mary Rose Taylor, who was responsible for nursing the Margaret Mitchell House from very, very humble beginnings to an excellent and quite prosperous museum–
“If you sell that land you marginalize the Margaret Mitchell House.”
Obviously I do not know the entirety of the situation, but to me it sounds like an absolute no-brainer to sell your parking lot for $7 million. I wish I could sell my parking lot for $7 million. Heck, I’d throw in a few Uncle Remus books, too.
Assuming they can (a) secure parking for the MMH; (b) ensure that the development is very, very pedestrian friendly; and (c) score some office space out of the deal, my goodness, where is the argument? Is “change” the only controversy?
There must be something else going on.
Otherwise, a high-density pedestrian oriented development will do exactly the opposite of marginalizing the Margaret Mitchell House. The museum has the opportunity to become a jewel in the midst of a community (with excellent transit access, might I add), rather than a jewel in the midst of a sea of parking lots, as it was not too long ago.
Consider something like the Chicago Water Tower:
Marginalization, or part of a valuable part of the neighborhood?
Then again, this is just an outsider’s point of view–I’m sure there’s more going on than fear of change.
Comments: 0Edith Wharton’s Home, The Mount, Faces Foreclosure
Posted by: lain // Category: Big Money No Whammies, Birds of a feather, Fundraising, Historic Preservation // 8:54 am
So, the folks at Edith Wharton’s historic home in Massachussetts have recently completed a $13 million renovation. Wow.
It’s too bad that nobody bothered to pay the rent!
The Wren’s Nest, once in not-so-dissimilar dire straights and currently sitting smack dab in the middle of the foreclosure capital of whatever, feels the Mount’s pain.
The Mount is trying to raise $3 million before March April 24. They’ve got a little over half a million in the bank at press time, which is neither a small feat nor $3 million.
If you’re into that sort of thing, you might want to consider helping bail them out. Even though Edith Wharton isn’t my favorite female author from the 20th century with the initials EW, saving her home seems like a worthy cause.
Thanks, Asian Cajuns.
Comments: 9Oakland Cemetery Ravaged By Tornado
Posted by: lain // Category: Atlanta, Fundraising, Historic Preservation, Very Serious Posts With No Funny Business // 9:52 am
While the Wren’s Nest was not hit by last weekend’s tornado, our friends at Oakland Cemetery were not so lucky.
In fact, I’m pretty sure that the storm was at its strongest when it descended upon one of Atlanta’s most important historic places, and my own favorite place in the city.
While it’s a little too soon for volunteer opportunities, I’m pretty sure they’d appreciate some financial help. I have no idea if insurance covers berserk tornadoes, but I’m positive it won’t cover the $4 million that Oakland will now have to raise.
From a selfish point of view, I do hope that the mausoleum of Julian LaRose and Julia Collier Harris has remained untouched.
Julian was the eldest son of Joel Chandler Harris. He and his wife were perhaps most famous for winning a Pulitzer Prize in 1926 for their work at the Columbus Enquirer-Sun. Together at the paper, they covered the Scopes Monkey Trial and denounced public officials who were secretly involved in the Ku Klux Klan or otherwise standing in the way of African-American education and equality.
Eventually, the Harris’ were forced to leave the paper because of their unwavering progressive stances. Their mausoleum is just south of the bell tower at Oakland.
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