Reaching Big Names for Fundraising

[NickVon]

This may be a slightly weird discussion/question topic but I'll give it a try s some might find others thoughts useful.

Our College is in the midst of our 150th anniversary and we are looking to invite a number of established "persons" to a Gala event. (In the hopes that of course they will donate to scholarships, capital improvements, become trustees, etc.)

But how do "we" reach out to these people in a meaningfully direct way to their agents/managers and get the invitation in front of them. Finding the talent/booking agencies or publicists who arrange interviews isn't to hard. But most of those sites stay away from invitations for awards, or benefit galas. I realize most celebrities be they of any level of fame have agents and managers so they are not bombarded buy thousands of these invitations. But how do we track down and get this in front of there agent/managers with out going through the booking companies.

Thoughts, Suggestions, Discussion?

 

[TimMc]

Ask the booking agency who represents the artists you are seeking. Many management agencies also post artist rosters...

To find out who's who in the biz you might start here: http://www.napama.org/

 

[Footer]

Are these targeted people who are in some way connected to your college? Without some sort of local connection it will be pretty much impossible to get this done. Kinda like inviting the President to your wedding. If you do know of a connection to these people you seek then there should be a way to get a hold of them through less formal avenues such as socialite circles or philanthropic circles.

 

[JChenault]

If your university is like most, they have a development director whose job it is to raise money. Talk to them and see what ideas and suggestions they have.

 

[Van]

NEtwork, Network, Network. According to the 6 degrees theory you should be able to brainstorm some connections to folks, no matter how tenuous. USE Those connections! Ask them how best to reach other 'famous people'. It works.

 

[AudJ]

Use alumni groups- already established list of success stories. If you contact all of them via social media, you probably have some connection to just about everyone.