PORT TOWNSEND — Local nonprofit organizations say they are optimistic about their ability to raise donations despite times of economic belt-tightening.
“Right now, we are in a good spot in our fundraising since we had a successful summer,” said Centrum Executive Director John MacElwee.
“We are optimistic because a lot of people wait until the end of the year to contribute.”
Centrum is holding its primary fundraising event at 5:30 p.m. Saturday in the commons at Fort Worden State Park.
Consisting of a posh dinner at $125 a plate, an auction and entertainment, the event is projected to raise about $180,000 — approximately one-third of the arts organization’s annual budget.
“The gala gives our community an opportunity to celebrate Centrum’s mission of changing lives through artistic experiences,” MacElwee said.
“It also serves the purpose of raising needed funds for our programs, in addition to raising scholarship funds for creative students who would not otherwise be able to experience Centrum programs and events.”
Tickets are $125 per person or $1,000 per table.
As of Friday, a handful of tickets were available and can be obtained by visiting www.centrum.org/gala or by phoning Centrum at 360-385-3102, ext. 113.
“I have heard that at least in the beginning of the recession that social service agencies were getting an increase in contributions because people felt the need,” MacElwee said.
“Centrum support is pretty broad and diverse, so when some people can’t give any more, others join in.
“The people like what we are doing and like the direction we’re headed.”
The Port Townsend Marine Science Center recently held its major fundraising event, which raised $51,070.
This included a $25,000 challenge grant from a private donor.
“People now have fewer dollars, so you have to make your case more compelling and never take anything for granted,” marine science center development director Liesl Slabaugh said.
“We need to make sure that people know about the work we are doing and its value.”
In a strategy that is echoed by other nonprofits, Slabaugh said the science center is seeking to cultivate current donors rather than attempting to find new ones.
After the fundraising breakfast, Slabaugh and a crew of volunteers set out to write personalized thank-you notes to the 80 contributors and made it about halfway through.
“We wanted to let donors know we appreciated them and give them something more personal than a tax receipt,” she said.
The Wooden Boat Festival is a major source of revenue for the Northwest Maritime Center, with last month’s event raising $137,000 or 2.5 percent above the 2010 total.
“This is a hard time for nonprofits,” said the maritime center executive director, Jake Beattie.
“There are cutbacks in what people can give, while there is an increased demand for services.”
For instance, schools once could pay for programs at the maritime center.
Now, private money needs to be raised in order to provide the same educational opportunities.
Habitat for Humanity got a fundraising boost from board member and longtime volunteer Nora Porter, who donated $36,000 to help sustain Habitat’s local mission.
This is a restricted gift earmarked for specific programs, but Habitat Director Jamie Maciejewski said it raised the morale of the entire organization.
“This gift was inspirational,”she said.
“When someone makes a gift of any size, they are making a statement about who they are, and when they give, they feel richer in a way.”
The new kid on the local fundraising block is KPTZ-FM, which is holding its first full fundraiser this week.
The weeklong event will resemble National Public Radio fundraisers in which regular programming is interrupted by pitches for contributions and offered incentives.
The station hopes to raise $20,000, and the revenue may be used to pay for a streaming process making it possible for the local programming to be heard online.
Engineer Bill Putney cites a connection with other local fundraising entities.
“We leverage the local nonprofits because our coverage of them helps to keep them going,” he said.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
