Nervous, going to meet a potential angel
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Theater Administration
Forum Name: Money Talk
Forum Discription: Questions about fundraising and promotion
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5282
Printed Date: 11/21/24 at 7:24pm
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Topic: Nervous, going to meet a potential angel
Posted By: sethnic
Subject: Nervous, going to meet a potential angel
Date Posted: 3/13/12 at 10:53am
Hi,
I have a musical theatre troupe, and have been invited to meet a man who was an angel for the original West End production of CATS. He saw our production of the show last month, and sent a very complimentary note about how we kept the vitality and spirit of the original.
I wrote back saying how it would be an honor to meet him, etc.., and now I have been summoned.
Stage fright is kicking in! How do you address a cat-angel? What are tips for emerging from such a meeting successfully? What to ask for?
We need money to be able to upgrade everything - equipment, more professional staff, more advertising, etc... I would love to be able to have a modest facility to rehearse, build, even have small shows in.
Do I go for all that straight off? Make small talk first? Beat around the bush, or dive right in?
Anyone who has experience and success in this area?
Thanks!
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Creating a new company!
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Replies:
Posted By: edh915
Date Posted: 3/13/12 at 12:24pm
My advice would be, "Don't go in expecting anything, and you won't be disappointed."
As a "Cats" investor, he was looking for a return on investment. Unless you can offer a similar outcome, I doubt you can reasonably expect to receive any of his largesse.
I think you should ask about his involvement in theatre; how he first got interested, what productions he's been associated with, etc. You can ask his advice (possibly) about fund-raising ideas, but the minute he sees your hand reaching for his wallet he's likely to back off.
Rather than think in monetary terms, go for information. That's why I think a conversation about him and his theatrical history would be most beneficial. People love to talk about themselves, so practice the art of listening. I think if you can get ideas and names of contacts the meeting will have been successful.
Long answer short: go for info, not money and you'll be a winner. (He might give you info on sources for money, but he should bring up the subject, not you.)
That's my tuppence.
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Posted By: sethnic
Date Posted: 3/13/12 at 1:51pm
Thanks. I Googled the gentleman, and he seems quite a philanthropist! He has contributed to lots of charities outside of theater.
I think, though, that he is expecting me to make a request. When he wrote me, it was to claim his credit as an original angel of Lloyd Webber and Mackintosh, and then to tell me how much he enjoyed the performance. I responded by thanking him and asking if he would meet with me.
So my gut feeling is that he is expecting to be asked, and might be disappointed if I don't ask. Make sense?
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Creating a new company!
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Posted By: edh915
Date Posted: 3/14/12 at 3:11pm
Yes, makes sense. As long as his philanthropic knickers are showing, it's okay to expect something. In which case, I'd make two lists - a "want" list and a "need" list. Then I'd arrange the two lists by dollar value and by impact value. (Sometimes the simplest things can have the greatest impact.) If you have your wants and needs categorized, you'll be able to feel him out as to which areas he would be most comfortable contributing to.
I still say, however, that it would be a good thing to be prepared to let him do a lot of the talking - especially in the first portion of your interview. BTW - make certain of how much time he's allotting for your meeting. Is it going to be open-ended? 15 minutes? An hour? - and adjust your methods accordingly.
Break a leg...
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Posted By: Majicwrench
Date Posted: 3/14/12 at 5:35pm
Posted By: sethnic
Date Posted: 3/15/12 at 6:06am
Thanks for the feedback. I have a sort of compromise, suggested by a Broadway actress/producer I have studied with. She suggests thanking him for his message, asking if he has any notes and suggestions. Then, if he still actively supports theatre, and if he has references for potential donors. The conversation will grow naturally from there.
I like the idea of having a "wants" and a "needs' list, with specifics. It doesn't require preparation - I think about it all the time!
Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya .. etc...
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Creating a new company!
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Posted By: David McCall
Date Posted: 3/15/12 at 9:32am
Meetings with important people are usually much too short. It can really help to have some very brief notes to help you remember the points that you had hoped to cover.
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David M
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Posted By: vickifrank
Date Posted: 6/17/12 at 6:47pm
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A general note for handling donors. Donors love to know what you are going to use money for. So have a very specific plan. They need to be told afterwards what the money went for. So a thankyou with the details of how the money was spent is great and will encourage them to continue to donate if they are approached again. Its funny---people fear approaching donors for money! If you fear that, consider approaching donors for suggestions (instead of cash) of how to raise money for a specific reason....ie we need to buy a light board....here is how it will help the theatre....and here is how we'd like to credit the donor....who should we approach and how? Now, if the real reason is a funding campaign for the new season (so not a small specific reason), consider asking your best prospect of funding for a number they would be willing to 'match'. So the big donor says they will match the first $1000 donated. You publicize this campaign. Since Jim Smith (the donor) is known and respected his name alone will spark interest and bring credibility to the campaign.
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