Gates looks forward to a return to in-person fundraising, and has tentatively booked the Hilton for next year’s ball, with a COVID-19 cancellation clause. The organization also relies on grants, foundations and donations. Fundraising events help close an annual $20 million gap in Misericordia’s $80 million operating budget, Gates said. The virtual ball raised about $1 million. They’ve just become like family and friends.” “They’re more than donors after all these years. “Nothing takes the place of being with your community,” said Gates. Lois Gates, chief development officer at Misericordia, a 100-year-old nonprofit that provides a residential community for the developmentally disabled on Chicago’s North Side, said the event fell short in other ways too. 13 at the Hilton Chicago, to a virtual event last month, falling short of the $1.2 million it raised last year. Misericordia shifted its annual Heart of Mercy Ball, which had been scheduled for Nov. “I think people are getting to the point of Zoom fatigue,” Silverman said. So far, registrations have been lagging, Silverman said.
The YWCA is hoping to have several thousand people attend to raise additional donations. This year, anyone with a YWCA membership, which starts at $25, gets access to the virtual luncheon, Silverman said. Last year, sponsorships started at $5,000 for a table of 10, with some individual tickets selling for $300 each. It’s also a much cheaper ticket for attendees. “We don’t have any of that expense this year,” Silverman said. The biggest savings is a $100,000 check to the hotel, she said. Silverman said the virtual luncheon is on track to match last year’s revenue through corporate sponsorships, and that lower expenses may make it more profitable. The luncheon typically draws about 1,200 people and raises $750,000 to $800,000, said Molly Silverman, who heads up marketing and development for the YWCA. The YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago shifted its annual leader luncheon, this year on Nov. “That’s just the reality of what we’ve seen.” “Frankly, I don’t know if we’ll feel comfortable hosting 1,200 people again anytime soon,” Freeman-Wilson said. Last month, with COVID-19 cases rising, the in-person element was canceled. When the pandemic hit, it was re-imagined as a limited attendance, socially distanced masquerade gala for 200 top sponsors, with other donors participating virtually by hosting small dinner parties. The Chicago Urban League was projecting similar revenue declines for its 59th annual fundraising dinner Saturday, originally planned for the Hyatt Regency Chicago. “It’ll be our first time in the history of PAWS that we didn’t meet our budget in 23 years.”įasseas said cutting services was the “last resort.” Instead, PAWS will tap its cash reserves to make up the shortfall, and step up fundraising when the pandemic is over, she said. “We’ll be down at least $1.5 million at the end of the year,” Fasseas said. The Fur Ball is PAWS' biggest fundraising event, so the projected loss of revenue from this year’s virtual version is going straight to the bottom line. Haas and Angie DeMars, all co-chairs of the Fur Ball fundraiser, hold some of the puppies that are up for adoption at PAWS Chicago on Nov.
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