This is a new category of support for what we do. Benefactors help fund a specific project that is very important to our mission and Pilot Butte in general. It is a way to get involved at a high level with something you really care about. Right now, for example, we have a need for a benefactor who will fund a specific project that will help a lot of people get more out of their Pilot Butte experience while raising thousands of dollars for Pilot Butte. Its an incredible project, with everything in place to do it, except the money. We need around $500 and we don't have that available in our budget because most of our money is tied to other things. So this is a great opportunity for someone to step forward and make a huge difference at Pilot Butte. Not only does the $500 investment become thousands of dollars, but many people who hike the Butte will benefit personally from the project.
Eventually, we hope to have a list of possible Benefactor Projects to choose from. Most will be similar to the one described above in their appeal even though they will differ widely in what they accomplish and the amount of money needed to do them. Also, we can usually create a Benefactor Project to match your interests. If you are interested in becoming a Benefactor, please call us at (541) 306-8411.
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Friday, October 18, 2013
What's the difference between a sponsor and a member?
As you might have noticed, things are getting a bit complicated as far as categories of supporters goes. First, members help us pay for the SMB event and sponsors, generally, contribute the money that the people at SMB raise for Pilot Butte. Can you be both a member and a sponsor? We do expect that to happen and maybe even quite a bit.
But, as we learned last year, it quickly becomes even more complicated. Last year we hadn't even envisioned Event Support Sponsors until they started popping up. These are businesses and people who help make the event better through some sort of contribution. So, when Organic Coffee said they would supply coffee for the event, they became an event support sponsor. When Jake's Diner gave us gift certificates to use as prizes, that fit in the same category.
This year we've already added two more categories. "Other Event Sponsors" will help us put on other events besides SMB. One of those events is in the works and several companies have been approached. "PBSS Support Sponsors" help us with our needs as a nonprofit organization. For example, we had a meeting with some local dignitaries and Longboard Louie's catered the function for free. Kevin Poole Design is contributing free graphic design work on one of our major fundraising projects. So they are also a PBSS Support Sponsor.
We always try to give recognition where it is due and there is absolutely no category that is more important than the other. For example, the project the design company is helping us with will not only help us do good things for Pilot Butte, it should also bring in $1,000 or more per year without much effort. If we get enough of this type of money, that could change the need for members to help us pay for the event. More important, it can be money that we put directly into Pilot Butte beyond what we raise at SMB.
Can one company or individual fit into all categories? We do expect that to happen and, when it does, you can bet we will be singing their praises.
It is great to know you have so much help and support coming from so many different directions. It definitely helps you through some of the challenging experiences and it also makes everything you do so much easier to accomplish. We hope that everyone who believes in what we are doing finds some way to support and thank the people and businesses that support us.
But, as we learned last year, it quickly becomes even more complicated. Last year we hadn't even envisioned Event Support Sponsors until they started popping up. These are businesses and people who help make the event better through some sort of contribution. So, when Organic Coffee said they would supply coffee for the event, they became an event support sponsor. When Jake's Diner gave us gift certificates to use as prizes, that fit in the same category.
This year we've already added two more categories. "Other Event Sponsors" will help us put on other events besides SMB. One of those events is in the works and several companies have been approached. "PBSS Support Sponsors" help us with our needs as a nonprofit organization. For example, we had a meeting with some local dignitaries and Longboard Louie's catered the function for free. Kevin Poole Design is contributing free graphic design work on one of our major fundraising projects. So they are also a PBSS Support Sponsor.
We always try to give recognition where it is due and there is absolutely no category that is more important than the other. For example, the project the design company is helping us with will not only help us do good things for Pilot Butte, it should also bring in $1,000 or more per year without much effort. If we get enough of this type of money, that could change the need for members to help us pay for the event. More important, it can be money that we put directly into Pilot Butte beyond what we raise at SMB.
Can one company or individual fit into all categories? We do expect that to happen and, when it does, you can bet we will be singing their praises.
It is great to know you have so much help and support coming from so many different directions. It definitely helps you through some of the challenging experiences and it also makes everything you do so much easier to accomplish. We hope that everyone who believes in what we are doing finds some way to support and thank the people and businesses that support us.
Friday, August 2, 2013
New for SMB 2014
This year we have three categories of "Main Event Sponsors" instead of two. Most sponsors want to make their donation prior to the event. But in order to keep the event honest, we need some sponsors to pledge their donation contingent upon the outcome of the event. Last year only the Mega Sponsor (Starbucks) pledged their donation. This year the "Diamond Level" Main Event Sponsors will do the same. That means that if one of these sponsors pledges $300 or more, we may or may not earn the entire pledge depending on how well our participants do in the event. So if we come up short, we may earn only a percentage of the money pledged by these exceptionally generous sponsors.
Btw, the Mega Sponsor role remains the same for 2014. We either earn the entire amount pledged or we earn nothing. Last year we needed 1,200 combined miles to get the $300 Starbucks donation and we ended up hiking over 1,450 miles. The Mega Sponsor is a great motivator and that is why it is given such a prominent role in SMB.
Btw, the Mega Sponsor role remains the same for 2014. We either earn the entire amount pledged or we earn nothing. Last year we needed 1,200 combined miles to get the $300 Starbucks donation and we ended up hiking over 1,450 miles. The Mega Sponsor is a great motivator and that is why it is given such a prominent role in SMB.
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