NEW COMPANY TO AID NON-PROFIT GROUPS
Picture this: You are the executive director of a small, non-profit association. You have the education, the experience, the drive and the will to succeed in running a successful business whose only objective is to help your clients and their families.
Your budget is tight, but with a dedicated staff, you provide exceptional services for a diverse client base. Your efforts are appreciated by your association board, the families of your clients, and the state.
But, like most small non-profit associations, you could use more money to expand services.
That describes Mattie Smith Cummins to a T.
Cummins, a masters level social worker, is executive director of the Brain Injury Association of Arizona (BIAAZ) -- www.biaaz.org. Over the last several years, she has worked to return the association to fiscal viability, written and received grants, and had orchestrated successful fundraisers. She was looking for other ways to raise money, looking down new paths to bring needed dollars into the association.
Her father, longtime newspaper editor and publisher George S. Smith, sent her several miniature watercolors that a friend had done. Attached to the drawing was several poems Smith had written. The poems were in a style Smith called "lowku," a personalized offshoot of haiku poetry, but with words substituted for syllables. Each lowku has nine lines, 25 words.
Cummins and her father discussed the possibilities or how art and words could blend together to create something that could be used in a fundraising event.
Less than a month later, a new company had emerged, Whimsy Creations, LLC. Using the unique art of Steve Burnett of New York City, and poems written by Smith, the first project took was developing a limited edition poster and post cards for BIAAZ.
In this initial effort, Burnett and Smith realized something important. "Creating Whimsy products is a way of giving something tangible to worthwhile, small non-profit associations," Smith said. "With most association-targeted, fund-raising projects, about 40-50 percent of the proceeds go to the originating company. It sounds odd, I know, but Steve and I agree that this is not a money-making operation. We both have been blessed in so many ways and we feel a need to try and give something back to communities through worthwhile, local organizations."
Whimsy Creations charges 10 percent (or $1,000, whichever is less) from expected sales and the money received "is designated to a fund that will be used to help start-up associations have a free fundraiser."
Burnett said there's nothing "like Whimsys on the market. Each one is personalized to individual clients and the art and words are tailored to fit each situation in a unique way."
Cummins said, "The vivid image and description of the journey of survivors of brain injury tells the story at a glance. The uniqueness allows us to use it to raise needed funds, and also gives donors a once-in-a-lifetime memento of their contribution." Smith estimated the association will raise $8.000 to $10,000 from the posters and 1,000 large post cards. The association plans to sell 100 numbered posters, 25 of which will be signed by Burnett and Smith.
Whimsy Creations is targeting small, non-profit associations which fill a niche in serving special needs in communities. Inquiry letters can be sent to gsid143@gmail.com. Letters should include the association's mission statement, program or scope of work, and a short letter detailing how a unique Whimsy will be used to raise funds.
The art and poem set is not limited to posters and post cards. "Whatever anyone wants to print it on -- coffee mugs, plaques, t-shirts, banners ... it makes no difference. The exclusive reprint rights belong to that particular association, he said.
The new company has also entered into partnership with a printing company that gives discounts on printing to Whimsy clients.
When an association is approved, Burnett and Smith will work with clients to develop a complete marketing and promotion plan, including recommendations on how to maximize the amount of funds to be raised.
Picture this: You are the executive director of a small, non-profit association. You have the education, the experience, the drive and the will to succeed in running a successful business whose only objective is to help your clients and their families.
Your budget is tight, but with a dedicated staff, you provide exceptional services for a diverse client base. Your efforts are appreciated by your association board, the families of your clients, and the state.
But, like most small non-profit associations, you could use more money to expand services.
That describes Mattie Smith Cummins to a T.
Cummins, a masters level social worker, is executive director of the Brain Injury Association of Arizona (BIAAZ) -- www.biaaz.org. Over the last several years, she has worked to return the association to fiscal viability, written and received grants, and had orchestrated successful fundraisers. She was looking for other ways to raise money, looking down new paths to bring needed dollars into the association.
Her father, longtime newspaper editor and publisher George S. Smith, sent her several miniature watercolors that a friend had done. Attached to the drawing was several poems Smith had written. The poems were in a style Smith called "lowku," a personalized offshoot of haiku poetry, but with words substituted for syllables. Each lowku has nine lines, 25 words.
Cummins and her father discussed the possibilities or how art and words could blend together to create something that could be used in a fundraising event.
Less than a month later, a new company had emerged, Whimsy Creations, LLC. Using the unique art of Steve Burnett of New York City, and poems written by Smith, the first project took was developing a limited edition poster and post cards for BIAAZ.
In this initial effort, Burnett and Smith realized something important. "Creating Whimsy products is a way of giving something tangible to worthwhile, small non-profit associations," Smith said. "With most association-targeted, fund-raising projects, about 40-50 percent of the proceeds go to the originating company. It sounds odd, I know, but Steve and I agree that this is not a money-making operation. We both have been blessed in so many ways and we feel a need to try and give something back to communities through worthwhile, local organizations."
Whimsy Creations charges 10 percent (or $1,000, whichever is less) from expected sales and the money received "is designated to a fund that will be used to help start-up associations have a free fundraiser."
Burnett said there's nothing "like Whimsys on the market. Each one is personalized to individual clients and the art and words are tailored to fit each situation in a unique way."
Cummins said, "The vivid image and description of the journey of survivors of brain injury tells the story at a glance. The uniqueness allows us to use it to raise needed funds, and also gives donors a once-in-a-lifetime memento of their contribution." Smith estimated the association will raise $8.000 to $10,000 from the posters and 1,000 large post cards. The association plans to sell 100 numbered posters, 25 of which will be signed by Burnett and Smith.
Whimsy Creations is targeting small, non-profit associations which fill a niche in serving special needs in communities. Inquiry letters can be sent to gsid143@gmail.com. Letters should include the association's mission statement, program or scope of work, and a short letter detailing how a unique Whimsy will be used to raise funds.
The art and poem set is not limited to posters and post cards. "Whatever anyone wants to print it on -- coffee mugs, plaques, t-shirts, banners ... it makes no difference. The exclusive reprint rights belong to that particular association, he said.
The new company has also entered into partnership with a printing company that gives discounts on printing to Whimsy clients.
When an association is approved, Burnett and Smith will work with clients to develop a complete marketing and promotion plan, including recommendations on how to maximize the amount of funds to be raised.
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